Summit view from Gunung Jasar
We left PJ at 5.15 a.m. in 2 vans and 1 car carrying a total of 22 trekkers. As usual we stopped by Bidor wet market to have our breakfast before leaving for Tanah Rata. It was about 9.20 a.m. when we finally arrived at Tan’s Camelia Garden (TCG), the access point to the head trail to Gunung Jasar and thereafter to Gunung Perdah.
From the Main Gate of TCG, we followed the cemented pathway till we reached a T-junction. Here we took the left turn to the trail head. The path wound gently uphill and slowly merged into a jungle trail. Starting at 9.40 a.m. and following the main wide trail (ignoring all subsidiary branch trails), we came across the first signboard entitled Jungle Walk 11 at 10 a.m. This stretch of trail was relatively flat. Just beyond the signboard, there were 3 more signage, though highly defaced, we were able to make out that the left split was Trail 10 to Gunung Jasar and the right split was Trail 11 to Gunung Perdah.
We took the left trail which went all the way uphill. Along the way, we saw moss, ferns and mushrooms as well as wild orchids. About an hour later, we came to an open area with a full view of a transmission tower. Much forest destruction could be seen here. The slope to the peak was cut (for construction of transmission tower?) and devoid of trees except for lalang vegetation. Authorities appeared to have planted seedlings and used plastic sheet to prevent further soil erosion. Here onwards, we followed whatever footholds along the cut slope and reached the Gunung Jasar peak (1670m asl official) about 11.30 a.m. The view from the peak was scenic.
After spending about 20 minutes, we left the peak at 12 noon by taking a downhill trail on the right to Gunung Perdah. There was another downhill trail on the left which we presumed would lead to Bharat Tea plantation (Trail 6). For the next 45 minutes, it was all the way downhill until 1465 m asl before the trail started to ascent again. The ascent was a short 15 minutes climb to the peak of Gunung Perdah (1,535m asl official). Minutes before the peak, the trail split into 2; the left trail would go downhill to the Orang Asli settlement while the right trail would lead to the peak. The peak area was much bigger and offered a near 360 degree scenic view of the surrounding areas. With the absence of any tree canopy, the peak was indeed hot at 1 p.m!
From the peak, we took the right trail downhill in order to return home. The downhill trail was partially destroyed as the slope was also cut (slope conservation due to development at the lower level occupied by Tenaga Station?). Upon reaching the bottom, we discovered a signboard showing the direction of Trail 12. But we were not able to make out Trail 12 through the cut slope! Not confident, we sought the assistance of a few Orang Asli kids who sportingly showed us an alternative route around the perimeter of Tenaga Station and an old laterite road running uphill besides the transmission tower.
After trekking 15 minutes uphill along the old laterite trail (Trail 11 possibly obliterated by this old laterite trail used for the erection of transmission tower), we came across a turning on the left carrying the Jungle Trail 11 signboard. The entrance to Trail 11 was quite obscure and covered with grass, lalang and fern plants. We had to wade through thick undergrowth for 5 minutes until we came to a clear neat trail, believed to be the original Trail 11. From here, it was an easy trek along a relatively flat trail, transverse occasionally by small trickling streams. It was about 3 p.m. when we were back to the original junction of Trail 10 and 11 where we waited for another 30 minutes for the last trekker to arrive before departing at 3.30 p.m. for TCG, which took us another 15 minutes to trek. After washing up (20 sen for use of toilet) at TCG, we left the place happily at 4 p.m. As usual, we stopped by Restoran Hao Yi Lou, Tapah to have dinner en route home.
Overall, a great trek in a pleasant company of 21 trekking buddies, namely Elsie, Yeoh, Engu, Ong, Chris Goh, Koon Kong, Mee Hong, Ji Ven, Steven Loh, Siew Fang, Ben, James Ong, William Chin, Cheh, Ho, Catherine Lim, Peter Lim, Robbin, Jamie Soon, Leong and Jamie Yeoh.
Our route Trail 10 --> Trail 11 --> Trail 10
