REPORT

As was the case on my last visit, I was able to see a beautiful sea of clouds again this morning. There are only four days left until the final day of summer season operation on 11/4 (Mon., holiday). It was quite cold when I arrived at Happo-ike Sanso around 8:30 a.m., after taking the Happo Alpine Line, with the temperature a brisk 6℃. There was almost no wind however, so I quickly warmed up as I began to walk. (The Kurobishi Line closed on 10/20.)
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Mountain Climbing Course]

The lower edge of the autumn leaves had reached the foot of the mountain, and the forest under the gondola line was at peak color. The area from Usagidaira to Kurobishidaira had the feeling of late autumn, while the Happo-One Nature Trail heading higher felt like early winter. I felt excitement for the coming winter after seeing thin coats of ice in the shaded areas as I I continued up the mountain climbing course.
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Mountain Climbing Course]

With the vegetation withering and the leaves changing color, the majestic forms of the three peaks of Hakuba, Mt. Goryu, and Mt. Kashimayari were particularly striking when viewed from the trekking course. Also, as the mountain hut near the top of Mt. Karamatsu closed for the season on 10/14 (Mon.), there were not many hikers heading all the way up to the ridge. The number of visitors heading to the Happo Pond noticeably increased by around 10:00, and the area was filled with the usual bustle of Happo.
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Happo Cairn to No. 3 Cairn]

I spoke with three people visiting from Ishikawa Prefecture (pictured) who were visiting Happo for the first time. They told me, “This has been an amazing visit. We were able to see beautiful autumn leaves while riding the gondola, and now are treated to magnificent alpine scenery along the Nature Trail!” Thin clouds spread out across the sky as the day progressed.
[Happo-One Nature Trail・Happo-ike Pond]

＊This is the final installment of our 2024 summer trekking reports. Thank you for taking the time to read them.

[Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort Information]
* Season … Apr. 19 (Fri)－Nov.17 (Sun), 2024
* Hours … 8:30 a.m.－5:00 p.m.
* Price … Entrance Fee (Gondola and 5th line south fee included) / Adult: JPY2,400, Child: JPY1,300, Pet: JPY700

*Hakuba Iwatake will be reported 2－3times a week
*To Visitors Requesting Original Data of Our Photographs

reported by Snownavi