Saga Hill 7 Dec 2008

We decided to hike up Saga Hill after experiencing the steep descent from Ah Pak San via Saga Hill on 23.11.2008, We took about 50 minutes to climb up the shortest and steepest Route A to reach the top clearing and 45 minutes to return by the longer and less steep Route C. Route C passes through a Survey Point, likely the highest point of Saga Hill at 415m elevation. This Saga trail appeared less congested compared to APS but equally muddy especially the popular Route A.

The Saga trail is good for a short vigorous workout. The vast clearing at the Saga top and the mini waterfall at the trailhead are pleasant and shady for R&R.

For access to the trail head of Saga Hill at Jalan Saga 28, one must pass through Taman Melur in order to get to Taman Saga. Please refer to road map at: http://wikimapia.org/#lat=3.1112914&lon=101.7754555&z=14&l=0&m=m&v=2.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/4736.

Prior Saga hikes see http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2008/11/saga-hill-23112008.html.

Saga Hill 23 Nov 2008

Starting from trail head at end of Jalan Awana 23, we headed directly to Station 6 of Ah Pak San. Instead of trekking back to the base, we decided took a 30 minutes trek to Saga Hill and to find our way down from Saga Hill. The downhill trek from Saga Hill took about 30 minutes and the trail is very much steeper than APS trail. Ropes lined the steep trail to assist hikers. The downhill trail ended up in a flight of concrete staircase and a natural clear stream where one can sit back and relax. The place is neat and well maintained possibly due to less human
traffic. From here, there is a short trail leading to a metal staircase which ends at a T-junction of Jalan Saga 28 and Jalan Saga 22. Following Jalan Saga 22, we came to the main road, Jalan Taman Saga where took time to admire the fantastic KL skyline.

We only realize we were at Ampang, instead of Cheras, when we were told by a couple who coincidently stopped by to enquire where the Saga Trailhead is located. This solved the puzzle of our missing driver who was actually looking out for us at Taman Segar of Cheras. Noting that we were “lost”, the kind couple gave us a lift to Ampang Yong Tau Foo where we were eventually picked up.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/4703.

Our last trip to Saga Hill was on 29.6.08. See write-up at http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2008/07/saga-peak-29608_1.html.

Bukit Saga 29 Jun 2008

Undaunted by the drizzle, we proceeded to extend our trek up Wangsa Cheras Hill aka Ah Pak San to Saga Hill, as planned. At Station 5 (373m elevation), we took a left turn (right turn goes to the waterfall) and trek to Station 6 (387m elevation). From here there was a clear signboard showing the trail to Saga Peak (377m elevation). The trek time for 1.5km from Station 6 to Saga Peak was about 30 minutes while we took 2 hour to hike 2km from trail head to Station 6; totalling 2½hours for 3.5km trail.

The large clearing, before Saga Peak, was abuzz with activities: young kids running about, adults playing Tarzan and woman folk having a chit-chat session over hot morning tea as well as some people busy building more wooden shelters/tables/structures. There was a huge notice board (put up by Saga Hiking Group comprising residents from Taman Saga, Ampang) welcoming hikers to Saga Hilltop and advising them against smoking, rubbish dumping and hunting.

We spent some time relaxing here and trying out several fitness exercises before back trekking to Station 6 where we continued down hill using another trail that passes through the rubber plantation but ends at the same trail head at Wangsa Cheras. The distance covered was about the same at 3.5 km.

Overall, it was a good solid ½ day trek covering 7km.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/3095.