Location: Minaminomaki, Shimonita, Gunma
Starting and stopping point: Shimonita Sun Sports Land Parking Lot
Peaks bagged: Monogatari
Getting there/getting around: I drove but there is a bus stop at Shimonita Sun Sports Mae with service from Shimonita Station.
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: 3:39 Break time: 3 Distance: A bit over 8 km
Elevation: Lowest: 392m Highest: 1,019m Total Ascent: 921 Total Descent: 921
Technical considerations/difficulty: Steep in many spots. There are a lot of ropes that were helpful on the way down. Much of this hike is along/through streams. There are a lot of leeches. The trail isn't too difficult to follow but isn't maintained. It's covered with old fallen leaves or loose rocks in most places. The footing coming down wasn't great. The stones were loose and would often roll away when stepped on. The wetness of the stones made them slippery, too.
Facilities: Nothing on the trail
Thoughts/observations/recommendations: I am led to believe this has a nice view of Mt. Myogi--a really cool mountain--but was robbed of any views because of the weather. That's too bad. I'm not sure if I should go back in better weather or not though. The hike itself wasn't spectacular and there are only one or two viewpoints to justify the hike.
I also added a side hike to Ashonen Falls (阿唱念の滝). The falls turned out to be just a trickle at this time of year. I don't know that I'd recommend it at any time of year, however. Getting up to it meant crossing through a stream several times and I was attacked by more leeches than I could count. I can't imagine how much water would be flowing through that stream at a time of year when the falls are worth viewing.
Today's listening: Lots of birds, babbling brooks and Bible in a Year
The hike:
Let's look at a few pictures.
Starting out:
