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| HABU VALLEY in the afternoon sun |
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| Vibrant star-like MOSS near the peak area |
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| BUKIT MENTIGI HOUSES flanked by G Beremban on the right and G Brinchang at 11 o'clock |
Gunung Mentigi or Rhododendron Mountain (Mentigi is the Malay name for 'rhododendron') was our next target after Gunung Irau (http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2010/02/gunung-irau-29-31-jan-10.html), Gunung Beremban (http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2010/07/gunung-beremban-4-july-2010.html), Gunung Jasar and Gunung Perdah (http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2010/07/gunung-jasar-gunung-perdah-25-july-2010_26.html).
Apart from the trail information provided by the various tourist maps for Cameron Highlands, we were unable to glean any comprehensive reports of Gunung Mentigi trek from the internet. Nonetheless, we decided to proceed with our trip. We would say this recce trip really tested our group’s indomitable spirit to complete the mission.
Finding the trailhead of Trail 13 near the Veterinary Services Department (VSD) along Persiaran Dayang Endah (PDE) was easy but finding the entrance of the trailhead was a challenge for it was hidden by thick undergrowth. Less than 5 minutes into the trail, we were confronted by a vast area cleared for vegetable farming. In short, the trail had “disappeared”. The residents told us that the trail was no longer being used and directed us to use another access further down PDE towards the hospital. Travelling down the road, we encountered many parked vehicles along a slip road on the right. The trail board there indicated Trail 9 which is supposed to lead to Robinson Waterfall. After trekking for 15 minutes, our misgiving started to arise and we decided to back trek. This time we decided to explore another trailhead to Trail 13 located behind Cameronian Holiday Inn (CHI), Off Jalan Mentigi. We unable to locate the trailhead and a well-informed resident told us that the trailhead had been “lost” to development. We saw earthwork had begun on a vast tract of land behind CHI area.
After 3 false starts, the group’s patience was wearing thin and there were suggestions to trek Gunung Beremban again. It was already 10.30 a.m. when we decided to check out our original plan to trek from the VSD notwithstanding the discouragement by the local residents living and farming there. Heading up the farm, a local resident (sensing our persistence), pointed out a dense forest opening, along the farm perimeter, to Trail 13. The opening was covered with thick undergrowth and nearly impenetrable. We saw a trace of path among the forest vegetation and one of our brave members volunteered to venture into the thick and dense opening to explore. Within a minute, we heard a call that there was a clear trail.
It was 10.50 a.m. when we started our trek. The trail was clear but thick with fallen leaves. The jungle vegetation was generally damp due to the rainy season. Ten minutes later, we came across a yellow signboard which had been displaced from somewhere. We were unable to interpret the signboard as it was badly defaced. Just beyond the signboard, about 10 meter away, the trail came to an abrupt end as a result of earthwork being carried out for another development. We believe the earthwork extended from the “destroyed” trailhead of Trail 13 starting from CHI. Fortunately, we noted an uphill trail, presumably Trail 14 on the left about 2 meters before the end of the trail. From here, it was all the way uphill until we hit the peak at 1,494m asl (official: 1,535m) at 11.50 a.m. Along the way, we saw 2 trails branching off on the right. One of these could lead south towards Habu region. At the peak, there was an iron structure, possibly the remnant of the trigonometrical station and a stone pillar. The view from the peak area was good. As expected, the vegetation near the peak area was stunted and sparse as well as mossy. Giant nepenthes plants were also sighted.
After a good rest, we proceeded downhill at 12.10 p.m. using another trail from the peak area. This trail crept steeply downhill for 10 minutes before it came to an open cut slope facing Bukit Mentigi housing area. We resorted to using the rainwater canal to descend for a short distance before exiting through a visible jungle trail towards the housing area where we reached at 12.50 p.m.
Overall, we were satisfied after having accomplished our mission. The most memorable part of the trek was the scenic view from the peak, the giant Nepenthes plants as well as the beautiful star-like carpet moss. The weather was gloomy but luckily, the rain held off until the end of our trek. Our only concern was that the access to Trail 14 from the north side would be lost soon based on the rate of development encroaching on Trail 13.
Great trekking buddies included Yeoh, Engu, Ong, Wai Ching, Choo, Jamie, Careen, Murugiah, Kanchana and Ben.
For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/7991.
