Short hike in Tomioka City
Starting and stopping point: Kannari Trailhead Parking Lot (神成登山口駐車場) by the Shinbori Shrine (新堀神社) in Tomioka, Gunma.
Peaks bagged: Mt. Azuma 吾妻山 ~ Mt. Ryuou 竜王山
(First-time) peaks # 876 and 877
Getting there/getting around: I drove. The nearest train station is Nanjaieki (南蛇井駅) (19 min. walk). Alternatively, you could get off at Kanohara (神農原駅) and start the hike from the other end, by the Miyazaki Park (宮崎公園).
Map: 西上州 21 妙義山・荒船山
Weather Information: Look for a weather report for Tomioka City. These hills aren't high enough to rate a mountain forecast.
Total Time: 2:22 Break time: :19 Distance: 5.9
Elevation: Lowest: 204 m Highest: 320 m Total Ascent: 477 m Total Descent: 477 m
Technical considerations/difficulty: None
Facilities: Benches here and there at nice viewpoints. One spot has picture books with pics of the area in each season. There is also a display case of some bits of nature--snail shells, a stuffed martin. That was neat.
Thoughts/observations/recommendations: This was just a quick walk. I wanted to get in a little more time in the woods before I go back to work in a few days. It was quite a difference from my slog through the snow the day before. This place is very low in elevation and it was really warm. I saw butterflies and bees and all the flowers seemed to have bloomed overnight. I was hiking in a t-shirt.
I'm not going to put up many pictures, dear cavedweller. This was pretty minor as treks go. I am making this post merely for my own memory. ☺
The tale of the crooked nose and the frigid wife. Mt. Hanamagari and Mt. Hizuma.
Location: Mt. Hanamagari on the line between Gunma and Nagano
Starting and stopping point: Scenic Overlook at Nidoage Pass
Peaks bagged: Mt. Hizuma (氷妻山), Mt. Hanamagari (鼻曲山)
(First-time) peaks # 874 and 875
Getting there/getting around: Car. There is a parking lot at the Nidoage Pass (二度上峠) that can accommodate 4 or 5 cars in the non-snow seasons. I had to park at another lot about 500 meters down the street as that parking lot was snowed in.
Map: Yama to Kogen Chizu 19 浅間山軽井沢・長野原の山々ASAMA-YAMA KARUIZAWA-NAGANOHARA-MOUNTAINS
Weather Information: Mt. Hanamagari Weather
Total Time: 3:47 Break time: :14 Distance: 7.2 km
Elevation: Lowest: 1,372 m Highest: 1,655 m Total Ascent: 625 m Total Descent: 625 m
Technical considerations/difficulty: The challenge today was snow. Although there has been a lot of melting, much of this trail is still covered with about a foot (30cm) or more. Some areas are along or near ridges with steep dropoffs. I took great care not to slide off the mountain or to start an avalanche. The pink ribbons marking the trail were sufficient.
Facilities: Nothing.
Thoughts/observations/recommendations: I've wanted to do this mountain since I climbed Asama Kakushi back in December. I was really tempted to do it that day but decided to wait.
Today's listening: For You The War Is Over
Mt. Haruna of 200 Famous Mountains Fame
Lake Haruna
Location: Lake Haruna, Takasaki, Gunma
Starting and stopping point: Visitor's Center Parking Lot (Public Restroom)
Peaks bagged: 氷室山 ~ 天目山 ~ 榛名富士 ~ 烏帽子ヶ岳 ~ 鬢櫛山 ~ 榛名山(掃部ヶ岳)
(First-time) peaks # 868 ~ 873
Getting there/getting around: I drove. There are several free parking areas. I don't know how empty they are during tourist season, though.
Map: 山と高原地図 赤城・皇海・榛名 袈裟丸山・足尾山地 2024
Weather Information: Haruna Weather in Japanese
Total Time: 7:48 Break time: 1:24 Distance: 12.6 km
Elevation: Lowest: 1,085 Highest: 1,449 Total Ascent: 1,367 Total Descent: 1,367
Technical considerations/difficulty: Each of these mountains, by itself, is not particularly challenging. Any of these peaks could be done in just a few hours. Circumambulating (I love that word.) the lake, as I did, makes for several ascents and descents. There are some areas where the snow is deep and some places with ropes where you need some upper-body strength.
The snow conditions varied widely on this trek. In spots, it is waist-deep. On the south side of Haruna Fuji, there is no snow at all. I needed snowshoes only for about 30 minutes. Most of the rest of the day I needed crampons. Going down was very slippery and icy in places.
Facilities: There is nothing on the trails or mountaintops, but the lake is nearby and has many public facilities and tourist attractions. Not much is open in the off-season, but the Yusuge Onsen is open and only costs ¥520.
Thoughts/observations/recommendations: If you want to catch the view but are lazy, you could take the gondola to the Haruna Fuji Ropeway. ¥950 roundtrip for adults.
I don't feel particularly witty today, so I'll just jump into the pictures.