We took the subway to
Gyeongbokgung Station of Seoul Line 3 then we followed the sign
to Sajik Park. It was a bit of a maze to hit the trailhead so
we just kept our bearing and assured with the locals if we were
heading the right way. It was a long road hike to the trailhead.
The area was heavily guarded with military, cops and some casually
dressed guards from the moment we left Sajik Park.
Mt.
Inwangsan 338m/1109'
(1) June 18, 2006. This
Great Fortress of Korea starts at the beginning of the
actual trail... where no wheels can go.
(2) It was very hazy when we went so even the view
to the neighboring summits like Mt. Bugaksan was not
sharp at all. But the mountain itself has beautiful
rocky features to adore.
No
reports from now on will be given about how busy the mountain
was, because it's normal. Koreans love to hike. That's the way
aha-aha it's gonna be.
No reports from now on will be given about stairs on the
mountain, because it's normal. Koreans of all ages love to
hike. That's the way aha-aha it's gonna be.
(1)
Some parts of the hike were very steep. Even with stairs,
the steepness made us aware of a potential slip and fall...
thank goodness for the rope.
(2) This hike took us 45mins from Sajik park to the summit.
The view was... well, I guess we just happened to pick a wrong
day.
Here's the northern false summit of Mt. Inwangsan. It supposed
to have a better view of Mt. Bugaksan and Bukhansan National
Park on a clear day.
(1)
It took us 15mins to reach the false summit. The true summit
is on the left of center.
(2) This is the granite ridge that leads to the North-West
side of the mountain. It could be used as an alternate descent
or ascent.
(1)
We went back to the col between the true and false summits to
get to this descend. It leads to the Jahamun Tunnel.
(2) the Changuimun Gate (Jahamun Gate) and Jahamun Tunnel
are in between Mt. Inwangsan and Mt Bugaksan. This was the
point when we've already given-up looking for the trail to
Mt. Bugaksan and just went to Gyeongbokgung
Palace instead.
