#hikingvikings

[thehikingviking]

Utsukushigahara Highlands, A Walk Through the Clouds

We had originally planned to climb Norikura-dake, one of the tallest peaks in Japan. As we approached the trailhead, we were stopped by a bicycle race. The road beyond Norikura Kanko Tourist Center was closed to both cars and busses. We were a long way from Utsunomiya, and even further from California, so I was frustrated to say the least. I perused the map and researched alternate objectives on the fly. I needed to chose a hike short enough such that we could do it with a late start while carrying our child, at least part of the way. I selected Utsukushigahara Highlands, as it was on the way to Saku, which had a Shinkansen station. Our dear friend Jon would join us for the hike then take the train back to Tokyo later that day.

We had already driven quite a bit that morning, and now we had to drive even further, but after a long windy ride we made it to the Utsukushigahara Nagawa Municipal Parking Lot. It was wet outside from a recent rain and the entire area was shrouded in clouds. There was a visitor shop at the end of the paved road and a dirt road continuing beyond towards the summit plateau. Today's "peak" is referred to as a highland, and while it was not striking in a traditional mountain sense, it did have almost two thousand feet to topographic prominence. Situated between several major mountain ranges, I now wonder how the views would have been from the top, considering we were socked in all day.

The dirt road took us through ranchlands. A wooden fence on each side barred us from the ponies and cattle, or rather them from us. It was a little mysterious and often I would find myself having to guess what the large animal was through the pea soup. 

The walk vaguely reminded me of hiking through the Diablo Range in California; grasslands, cattle and rolling hills.

The dirt road made for easy walking. We let Leif walk at first, but eventually his lack of urgency had us put him in the carrier. The summit area was covered with a large building called Ougatou, which translates to King's Head Hotel. Behind the building was a large radio facility and several shrines.

We walked around until finding the summit rock and a benchmark. From car to summit it was only 2 miles with about 300 vertical feet gain.

We stepped into Ougatou to get out of the weather. We ate beef curry and coffee jelly with soft cream inside the luxurious summit shelter. The curry was so good that I ended up eating two servings.

I could have sat there all afternoon, but we all wanted to get home that night. Rather than retracing our steps back down the bland dirt road, I picked up a trail system that circled around the southern part of the ranch.

The trail dropped down a couple switchbacks then contoured alongside the highland.

I left the trail briefly to investigate a rocky cliff that seemed a little out of place in the gentle rolling hills.

Leif wanted to walk again, so I let him do so for a while, but eventually I picked him up again because we needed to cover distance faster.

The trail reconnected with the dirt road. It was a longer, but slightly more aesthetic hiking route. We stopped for a short time for Leif to feed the pony.

The clouds began to clear as we reached the trailhead. We looked around the shop then began our trip back home. This wasn't the most spectacular hike, but it was good for our two year old.

[relevantirreverence]

Well it wasn’t dry as a bone. Just a bit of trickle. . . . #hikingvikings #hikingviking #hike #hiking #hikingadventures #hikeitout #escondidofalls #malibu #california #shibainu #strikeapose #gayhiker #gay #gaysinnature #gaysinthewoods #santamonicamountains #gayboys #getyourassintonature (at Escondido Falls)

[kharvilak]

Sunday morning. 8:00am. 61°F. Morgan Run Environmental Area. Another early off trail conditioning hike in maille. A good follow up to yesterday's meeting on getting started in live steel Viking combat. The more I wear the maille on hikes like this, the easier it gets for wearing it for extended periods in general. Chasing this down with the Blacksmiths Guild of Central Maryland monthly meeting later, followed by some forging and chainmaille work at home. Need to make some adjustments to the haubergeon to better fit over a padded gambeson for better movement. The sleeves are a little tight around the upper arms. #hikingviking #livesteelcombat #VikingLivingHistory #trainthewayyoufight (at Morgan Run Environmental Area) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1lkKfqBwNx/?igshid=3l51m4ehobah

[skitzanda]

Out exploring old stomping grounds #IndyPhotographer @davemckennaphotos and my #WolfDog Zee. #IndyModel #MushroomHunting #WolfHybrid #Viking #Wildling #HikingViking #Barefoot #Forest #AlternativeModel #Wolf #GameOfThrones #FantasyModel #Direwolf #MidwestMermaid #GoT #ChasingTheLight #MermaidHair #IndyIgers #CosplayModel #HoosierGrammers #BodyMods #Witch #Tightlacer #MoodyGrams #LongHair #GameOfTones #Spring #Pagan #Corsetry #Freckles #GothGirl #Witch #LiveOutdoors #Morels (at Cataract Falls) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxMRMTAHzq7/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17xgbbmfiym7u

[himalayanmentor]

Happy Thanksgiving to all travel fellows! #thanksgiving #Everest #ebctrek #nepaltrek #everestbasecamp #nature #hikingadventures #besttrek #himalayanadventure #mountain #mountains #hiking #hikingviking #sunrise #explore #americantourists #travelphotography #ntageotravel #exploremountain #travel #love #thanks #himalaya #photography #nepal8thwonder #himalayanmentor #outdoors For more details, please browse 👉 https://www.himalayanmentor.com/everest-base-camp-trek.html https://www.instagram.com/p/BqfSY4Ahc2x/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15df216vkxjx4

[womenswrestling16-blog]

#Repost @thebriebella with @repostapp ・・・ 25 weeks today and made it to the top of the mountain!!! Hiked a new trailhead today and loved it!! Conquered before the rain!! ❤💪🏽 #pregnancyfitness #hikingviking #mountainmama

[roddypiper]

thebriebella: Conquered Echo Canyon this morning, alright almost did, but still hiking hard at 24 weeks pregnant!!! #mountainmama #hikingviking #pregnancyfitness

[briebellasource]

thebriebella: 25 weeks today and made it to the top of the mountain!!! Hiked a new trailhead today and loved it!! Conquered before the rain!! ❤💪🏽 #pregnancyfitness #hikingviking #mountainmama

[thehikingviking]

Grab the bull by the horns #summitswagger #peakbagger #hikingviking #Africa #Tanzania #Gelai #Natron #volcano #bull #instahike #mountaineering #travel #nature #riftvalley #safari (at Gelai Volcano)

[ayearoferewhon]

#Repost @littleursaminor
・・・
Went on a hike, picked up some #trash #optoutside .
.
.
#gaysforgood #trashpickup #trailcleanup #echomountain #altadena #hike #hiking #garbage #garbagemen #wearetrash #hikingviking #hikingvikings #doinggood #blackfriday #trashy #trashtag 


[relevantirreverence]

Peaks and Valleys. #buttbuddies . . . . . #hikingviking #hiking #hike #hikingadventures #hikingvikings #hikeitout #getyourassintonature #bum #butt #droptrough #pantsdown #cucamongapeak #icehousecanyon #icehousecanyontrail (at Cucamonga Peak)

[briebellanetwork]

thebriebella: Conquered Echo Canyon this morning, alright almost did, but still hiking hard at 24 weeks pregnant!!! #mountainmama #hikingviking #pregnancyfitness

[queenborg]

I graduated Dec but just now hooded for my masters in MLIS at San Jose State University. Big thanks to @hikingviking for all support and editing and @lifeatca for the amazing benefits that paid for my masters. #lifeatca #bringwhatyoubring #HRLibrarian #GeekPride (at San Jose State University)

[himalayanmentor]

The Everest bade camp trek in Nepal isn't a light-hearted adventure. It's a mini expedition that will test and reward you. #Everest #ebctrek #nepaltrek #everestbasecamp #nature #hikingadventures #besttrek #himalayanadventure #mountain #mountains #hiking #hikingviking #sunrise #explore #americantourists #travelphotography #ntageotravel #adventureholiday #exploremountain #hikers #travel #love #lifedream #himalaya #photography #nepal8thwonder #himalayanmentor #outdoors For more details, please browse 👉 https://www.himalayanmentor.com/everest-base-camp-trek.html https://www.instagram.com/p/BqKzZ7KBXnd/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=vhumwgwx99ln

[womenswrestling16-blog]

#Repost @thebriebella with @repostapp ・・・ Conquered Echo Canyon this morning, alright almost did, but still hiking hard at 24 weeks pregnant!!! #mountainmama #hikingviking #pregnancyfitness