Location: Mt. Kuruma Suwa, Nagano
Starting and stopping point: 西白樺湖駐車場 Nishi Shirakabako Parking Lot
Peaks bagged: Mt. Kuruma (車山) ~~ Mt. Chochomi (蝶々深山) ~~ Mt. Minaminomimi (南の耳山) ~~ Mt. Kitanomimi (北耳) ~~ Mt. Oozasayama (大笹山) ~~ Mt. Denjo (殿城山)
Getting there/getting around: I drove. There is bus service to the area by the Alpico Bus Company, the same bus company that services Kamikochi. There are numerous bus stops in the area. If you go to their site, there is an automatic English translation available by clicking a button at the top right side of their page.
Map: Yama to Kogen Chizu 33 YATSUGA-TAKE TATESHINA・UTSUKUSHIGAHARA・KIRIGAMINE 八ヶ岳蓼科・美ヶ原・霧ヶ峰
Weather Information:
(Japanese site): Mt. Kuruma area weather
(English Site): Mt. Denjo weather
Total Time: 6:18 Break time: :10 Distance: 19.4
Elevation: Lowest: 1,416m Highest: 1,925m Total Ascent: 1,040m Total Descent: 1,040m
Technical considerations/difficulty: This is an extremely pleasant walk. Except for the trail that I took down from the last mountain to the car, the trails are all relatively level stone paths. The last trail that I chose was a bit strenuous, but not too bad. I wouldn't take that trail if you don't have a GPS device and a good sense for finding unmarked trails. There are no ropes, ladders or chains.
Facilities: The parking lot was free. Here and there are public restrooms.
Thoughts/observations/recommendations: What a great set of trails. There are spectacular views of Mt. Fuji, all of the Alps, Mt. Asama and Yatsugatake. I want to get back there in other seasons. Snowshoeing must be fun up there. There are a lot of ski areas there. I'm sure that leaf-peeping from the chairlifts and gondolas must be great.
The parking lot is free but I got the last open space. And that was at 6:30 am!
Today's listening: Bible in a Year
Here's what it looked like.
