8 miles / 0 feet gained
Beautiful little mountain on the edge of Guangzhou. Has a large bird sanctuary. The path is paved, but there are many dirt trails to secluded spots. Many birds, views, and electric shuttles if you tire.
Josh Mayer
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Hikes by Josh Mayer in 2010
18 miles / 0 feet gained / 1 night
Missed fall colors by a month. Glacier can cost over RMB 400 to see after costs of bus and cable-car inside park. Went up a valley, got good views of some mountains. Slept in a Tibetan village, in a hay shed since the only family home wouldn't take us in. It was nice. Pics on flickr: pieterpan
17 miles / 0 feet gained / 1 night
No snow, except dusting on lookout ridge. Much of the "back door" hiking approach was stairs. Too late for fall colors, too early for snow, much too early for spring blossoms on rhody's and azaleas. Good views of Xiling Mountain proper from where cable-car drops off. You can hike much of the way down instead of cable car.
4 miles / 0 feet gained
No crowds this time, so it was peaceful. Still a rather boring day hike with the temples further along in the restoration process (May 2008 earthquake).
40 miles / 0 feet gained / 3 nights
Fantastic! I hiked a half-circuit around the Gongga Mountain area through valleys. There is a lake where the river broadens that has islands in it where horses were feeding. A side trip up to Gongga monastery might reward you with a view of the mountain (taller than Mt. McKinley), or just the lower end of its glacier (if raining). There are herds of yaks, so...
15 miles / 0 feet gained / 1 night
Beautiful forest of bamboo on a plateau. Lots of waterfalls, a lake, temples, and small farms. Made famous in the West in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Pics on flickr: pieterpan.
20 miles / 0 feet gained / 1 night
One of four, most holy Buddhist mountains in China. Many "special" sites. Monkey zones where you must fend off the rascals. Much colder at 3,000+ km top. Stairs the whole way, as is the norm at popular places. There is a short cave. Despite its fame, many NW mountain or gorge hikes are as good or better. Pics on flickr: pieterpan
4 miles / 0 feet gained
Went on a national holiday. Huge mistake. Had to walk last two miles to entrance because of traffic. One of famous Taoist mountains in China. Many famous, "special" things to see. It was like hiking in a mall during Black Friday.
11.5 miles / 0 feet gained
Nice view of Cascades at trailhead. Tall waterfall facing south, so lots of sun on it. Some nice lakes further on.
6 miles / 0 feet gained
Not a maintained trail. Some very steep parts. Mailbox at top with a ledger awaiting your signature.