Immortal Valley Hike

4 August
Yesterday, I went on another hike with the Beijing Hikers. This hike has been named the Immortal Valley Loop, but the literal English translation is something along the lines of "Valley of Peaches and Fairies." Unfortunately for us there was a large traffic going out of Beijing and our 10am start turned into a 12pm start. Lucky for us, we had shade for a good portion of this hike. The start of the hike takes you though a series of shade dappled valleys with nice large, cool pools. Some have running water, and some had waterfalls; each one was pretty in its own way. Nothing could be done about the sheer heat of the day, but the company good and the scenery breath-taking. We reached summit in about two hours flat where we broke for lunch. At the summit is a bare stretch of rock where you are able to get an amazing 360 degree view, and on our clear fine day, you could see for miles.

We took a different way down, and while the view were stunning I think most of the group would have preferred to go down the way we came up. The whole path was overgrown with vegetation, many of the prickly variety. At the end of the path a few people's legs looked like they had been lashed because of all the scrapes on them. We did all make it out of the Immortal Valley in one piece to be welcomed back to the bus with cold beer, water, coke, and a smattering of snacks. Overall, a good hike with some pretty amazing views. And even better, my legs are not protesting every single movement I make today!

Map of the valley

That is just cool

Keeping things cool the old fashioned way

One of many pools fed by a waterfall in the valley

The sun faded this one out a bit, but still pretty cool

Double waterfall

Following the leader, wherever she may lead

I really like this tree

This resivoir was several miles south, and provides most of Beijing's water supply

Picking our way down, through the overgrown brush.

The full google album is here:

https://plus.google.com/photos/108488715129842232914/albums/5908031063332401953?authkey=CNnQ78mTnePsgQE

The Beijing Hikers description of the hike is here:

http://www.beijinghikers.com/hike-in-beijing/view/286/immortal-valley-loop/

and I think I'm going to go back to sleep =)