Hehuanshan: A Real Mountain

Hehuanshan (Mount Hehuan) at 3400+ m.a.s.l has a full service hotel run by park services and is only three hours of bus ride from Taichung train station. There was no excuse not to go!

Taiwan has 286 mountain peaks above 3000m, 100 of which are regularly summitted. We were lucky with the weather for once. From Heshanshan we could see more than 10% of the 286.

Not having been above 3000m for eight years, once again I had a hard time with altitude, but I persevered. We bagged 3 of the 100-list: #35 Hehuanshan East Peak (3421m), #37 Hehuanshan Main Peak (3417m), #70 Shimenshan (3237m).

A few days before at Yuanzhuishan we chatted with a couple that that has summitted all 100 -- they professed to be now directionless, not a concern for us.

The bus stopped for a break at Cingjing, Taiwan's Little Switzerland @ 1750 m.a.s.l. on the way up and the way down. The plum trees are just starting to bloom and we get our first good views of Taiwan's 3000-meter peaks.




We slept one night at Hehuanshan, at 3158 meters, in the Songsyue Lodge which is on the far right of this photo.


These White-whiskered Laughingthrushes are constant companions along the trails.




Video link here.

It's chilly up here. Glad we brought our wool hats and gloves.


We arrived too early to get into our room so we immediately set out for Shimenshan (3237m). This is a view back towards the lodge.


View north from Shimenshan summit.


View south to the lodge (left) with Hehuanshan East Peak (3421m) looming above to the right. It's our next target as we still can't get into the room.


Lots of steep stairs on the trail up to the East Peak. We take it at a very, very easy pace, plus stop every 5 minutes for a short break. We are definitely not altitude-ready yet.


The short breaks are very nice with views like this to the east.


And near the summit, views west to Mount Hehuan (the main peak) which we will summit the next day.


And to Hehuanshan North Peak which will have to wait until another trip.


The White-whiskered Laughingthrushes (lower center) hang out at well-worn rest spots around Hehuanshan, looking for handouts. The rhododendron bloom later in the Spring.




East Peak Summit photo(s).




East Peak Summit 360 video:


Link here.

Descending was much easier with the sun at our back, great views, and the moon rising in the east.






Like my hiking pole, eh?


A pretty good included buffet for dinner at the lodge with plenty of vegetarian/vegan options.


I had to rush outside from the dining room to catch this pastel sunset.


Our route for the day.


Day Two we got up for the sunrise, had incl. breakfast, packed our bags and checked out, left bags in lobby, then hitched a ride to the trailhaded for the North Peak. The temperature was 32F at sunrise.






Not the most spectacular sunrise but the light was amazing just after the sun came over the mountains. Golden.


We take it east up the road to Hehuanshan Main Peak which until a few years ago was a Taiwanese Military Post, hence the road.


From here, superb views to the east.


That's Sun-Ling up ahead. After a rotten night dealing with altitude issues, she was feeling better.


And me down below.


Sun-Ling and were taking dueling panos.


Posing.


Groupo in white, orange and black.


Summit view to the north.


Clouds. We spent lots of time gazing at the clouds against the blue sky.


View from Main Peak Summit.


Obligatory summit pic.


360 panorama.


Done.


On the walk back to the lodge we spotted some military folks headed into the forest.


We had an hour to kill before the bus arrived so more cloud watching.




GPS route for the day.