Gunung Bunga Buah 28 Sep 2008

At 7 a.m. we gathered at the BHP station opposite Batu Caves Giant Hypermarket to carpool to Goh Tong Jaya (“GTJ”), our destination for our hike to Gunung Bunga Buah. The 50km drive to GTJ took about 30 minutes from the Karak Toll (RM5 per car). More groups started to converge at GTJ and the actual trek only started at 9 a.m. after everyone had their morning breakfast.

The access road to the track is a wide side lane located between Restoran Kium Bee and Restoran Makan Laut Gohtong Jaya. The side lane is sandwiched between a fairly large vegetable patch on the left and Kolej Antarabangsa Genting Inti on the right. There is also ample space along the side lane to park cars.

Starting from here (alt 940m), we headed towards a dirt road which trails off to the left near the far end of the lane. After 3 minutes of walking, we had to turn right into another smaller vegetable farm which is situated at the base of a hill slope. The trail head is clearly visible on the hill slope. We took about 25 minutes to scale up the steep gradient to a disused tar road situated at 1055 m altitude (net elevation of 115m). Taking the left turn, we walked about 10 minutes before arriving at Y-junction. Here we took the left turn. Now the tar road, which was totally covered by grass and thick under growth, looked more like a trail only.

It took us about an hour to trek this stretch of leech infested tar trail road before we arrived (at 10.30 a.m.) at the start of the hill trail (1140m alt). The entrance of the hill trail is situated on the right side of the tar trail road. Here, everyone took time to “deleech” and then quickly climbed up the hill trail. Within 5 minutes of climbing, we started to descend downhill for 10 minutes to 1065m elevation before ascending again. At 11.30 a.m. after 45 minutes of climbing we hit the false peak (ala Tabur) at 1245 m altitude.

After a quick photography session, we proceeded to the summit at 11.45 a.m. The uphill trek to reach the summit, sitting at 1430m altitude, took us 45 minutes.

In summary, it took us 25 minutes to scale the initial vertical slope, 1 hour to trek the leech infested trail, 1 hour to reach the false peak and another 45 minutes to hit the summit.

Tips: Bring water 1.5 litre, poncho and energy food
Anti leech strategy (for both ground and bush leeches)
(a) Wear shoes treated with tobacco/salt water;
(b) Wear socks presoaked in tobacco/salt water;
(c) Wear long sleeve shirts & pants presoaked in tobacco/salt water; and
(d) Tuck long pants into the socks.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/4355.

Kiara Birds 22 Sep 2008

Updated 10.9.2007

These are pictures taken during my many hours of rambling in Kiara Hills in 2006 through to 2008.

For more pictures, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/16107

Penang Hill Forest Trail 31 Aug 2008

Though still tired from the preceding day Muka Head Trek (http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2008/09/penang-muka-head-trail-30808_2.html), we enthusiastically packed ourselves into 3 vehicles and headed for the Penang Youth Park. From there, a bus ferried us to Teluk Bahang Forest Reserve for the trail head in respect of the Penang Hill Forest Challenge (“PHFC”) Trail. This trail, which covers a distance of 11,300m, ends at the Top Station of Penang Hill.

Starting at 9.45 a.m., we took 4½ hrs to complete 6,600 m hike from Teluk Bahang Forest Reserve to Station 1 along the Western Hill Road. The trail is clear and well marked. It is also quite popular with the locals. Proper ropes were secured to assist hikers along difficult steep gradients. At Eagle Point Deck sitting at an altitude of 725m, we were rewarded with spectacular views of the Teluk Bahang and its surrounding areas.

From Station1 along Western Hill Rd, one can opt to wait and thumb a lift from passing 4WDs or walk to the Penang Top Station, another 4700m away. We took the second option to enjoy the fresh air and to explore the surrounding areas. After replenishing our energy at the Top Station, we paid a fee of RM5 pax to a 4WD to take us downhill.

Overall, it was a very challenging trail meant for fit hikers.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/3382.

Pg Muka Head 30 Aug 2008

Immediately, after a hearty breakfast we proceeded to Penang National Park located in the north western corner of the Penang Island. There are 5 major trails. We chose the Muka Head Trail which involves a hike of over 2km of coastal trail. We started at 10.30 a.m. and after many photography stops, we reached the Muka Head Lighthouse at 2 p.m. According to the brochure, the trek time should be about 3 hours. The trail is dotted with bridges of wood, concrete and metal constructs over streams and rocky shoreline. Generally, the trail and the facilities appeared well maintained and litter free up to USM Centre. From hereon, the trail is more feral until the base of Muka Head Lighthouse, where one has to mount a series of concrete steps from sea level up to 242m in net elevation to the Muka Head Lighthouse built in 1883 (125 years old) by the colonial British. The weather was good and views from the Lighthouse were lovely.

From the Lighthouse we back trekked to USM Research Centre and took a boat back to Teluk Bahang for a fee of RM5 pax.

Our original plan was to take a boat from USM Research Centre to Pantai Kerachut (famed for its white sandy beach). From there, we could visit the Meromictic Lake and then trek back to Teluk Bahang, thereby completely an anticlockwise loop. However, our plan was dashed when we were told that the sea was too rough for the boat operator to ply.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/3380.

Bukit Tabur West 16 Aug 2008

This time I joined a group of keen photographers to hike Tabur West, one of my favourite hiking places. We started at 7a.m. and completed the hike at 12.30 a.m. This the most leisurely hike with time well spent viewing the sunrise and the surrounding areas as well as touching base with trekkers sharing similar interest. The weather was dry with slight breeze and the heavy clouds provide a good cover against the hot sun. Photos on earlier trips can be found at:
http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2008/01/tabur-west-1012008_10.html,
http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2007/09/bukit-tabur-3092007_30.html,
http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2007/03/bukit-tabur-1132007_11.html,
http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2007/02/bukit-tabur-2712007_9.html and
http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2006/10/bukit-tabur-2006-10-16.html.

For the photographs for this trek, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/3378.

Broga Hills 3 Aug 2008

This is the third trip to Broga Hills. The last trip was on 06.07.08 and the pictures are posted at http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2008/07/broga-hills-6-july-08_7.html.

As in the previous trip, we took the anti-clockwise route by following the regulars who meet up every Sunday at 6.30 a.m. We were unable to view the KL Tower and Twin-Towers this trip as it was a bit hazy. The weather was windy and cooling probably due to the haze shielding the sun. The wind did bring in a short shower towards the end of our hike near the gully section. After the hike, we lingered around the durian stall at the access road until about 11 a.m. when we proceeded to Chuan Kee at Broga Market to savour the smooth pan mee aka Tao Ma Chek (RM2.80 per bowl) and creamy ice kacang (RM2 per bowl).

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/3269.

Sg Perah Trek 20 Jul 2008

We reached Tanjung Malim at 8.20 a.m. after an hour drive from Petaling Jaya. Immediately upon arrival we headed towards the market for our breakfast and to buy packed food for our trek.

At 9.15 a.m., we proceeded towards our destination which is at Kampung Orang Asli Chinggung settlement. The drive along the narrow lane which criss-crosses orchards and a few camping resorts (providing tube rafting activities) to the trail head took about 45 minutes. From here, we trekked about 1 hour to the picnic "island" spot. The clear trail, which runs parallel to a river, cuts through the jungle forest, bamboo groves and lalang clearing. Along the way, we spotted many towering durian trees but alas luck was not with us as we only found unripe fruits on the ground.

Our group, comprising 10 adults and 4 kids, set up camp on the "island" which is actually a vast collection of boulders, rocks and sand with shrubs and trees in the middle of Sg Perah. The "island" is large enough to accommodate 50 over picnickers. On that day, we were lucky to have the whole place to ourselves. The place is pristine and shady while the flowing river water is clear.

After spending 2½ hours lazying around, we packed and left at 1.30 p.m. and reached the trail head at 2 p.m. Immediately, thereafter we followed the durian lovers in search for the famed kampung durian basai. We came away disappointed as the 100-year old tree did not shed any fruits that day.

Overall, it is a relaxing and pleasant hiking cum picnicking trip. The round trip clocked 200 km and RM16.40 in toll cost.


For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/3239.