Mostly Japanese Mountains: Trail run (?). Hirao Fuji. Saku City. Nice fallviews.

This morning I took a run up Mt. Hirao. Hirao is one of my go-to places if I have time for a run before the sun sets after work. It's located in the northeast of Saku City, just above the highway. It's visible from most of the city--and it has great views.

Location: Mt. Fuji Hirao/Hirao Castle Ruins

Starting and stopping point: Sakudaira IC Parking Lot

Peaks bagged: Hirao

(First-time) peaks #xx (Not my first time here)

Getting there/getting around: I drove. There is plenty of parking. The parking lots at the onsen don't open until 8 but I was able to park at the highway parking lot.

Map: Yama to Kogen Chizu #21 西上州　妙義山・荒船山

Weather Information: Mt. Arafune's weather (not too far away)

Total Time: 2:09 Break time: :00 Distance: 12.1km

Elevation: Lowest: 788 m Highest: 1,155 m Total Ascent: 727 m Total Descent: 727 m

Technical considerations/difficulty:

There are a variety of trails that I used on this run. There are hiking trails, ski trails and some forestry roads.

I lost a lot of time by trying to run under one particular ski lift. There are two lifts I ran under. The one on the lower half of the mountain is easy to proceed up. The entrance to the hiking trail is near the top of that lift. Until today, I'd always left the ski trail there and entered the hiking trail. This morning, I tried to continue toward the top following under the upper ski lift. This turned into a slow exercise in bushwhacking up a very steep, prickly, wet, slippery slope. I lost a lot of time there but got to burn a few calories--and collect a few scrapes and scratches to the delight of my inner-9-year-old.

Most of the trails and some of the roads up here aren't on maps. It's quite easy to get twisted around. I would stick to the marked trails if you don't have some kind of gps device.

Facilities: Nothing on the trail.

Thoughts/observations/recommendations: Do it if you can.

Today's listening: Bible in a Year