Gunung Jasar & Perdah 25 Jul 2010

Summit view from Gunung Jasar

Summit view from Gunung Perdah

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

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/7989.

Gunung Beremban 4 Jul 2010

Leaving PJ at 5 a.m., we reached the trail head at about 9 a.m. with a 30 minutes stopover for breakfast at Bidor wet market. There are many routes to Gunung Beremban, Cameron Highlands. We decided to take the shortest Trail 5 which starts from behind MARDI staff quarters. A security guard at MARDI was kind to direct us to the trail head which is situated on top of a hill accessible via a good tar road. The trail head was clearly marked with the standard yellow signboard above a short flight of steps located between two rows of single storey houses.

We had to bypass vegetable plots before entering the forest trail. The entrance to the forest trail was slightly obscure but easily detectable. Starting at an elevation of 1,374m asl at 9.15 a.m. we took about 2 hours to hit the peak situated at 1,757m asl (official: 1,812m asl). The first 1 hour was an easy trek along a relatively gentle uphill slope to a pavilion rest stop at elevation 1,505m asl. The trail was wide and neat. Trekking was pleasant due to soft cushioning effect of the mossy trail. After the pavilion rest area, it was all the way uphill for the next 45 minutes when we hit the trigonometric station at 11.10 a.m. This section of the trail consisted of red laterite soil held together by tree roots.

The weather was beautiful and we had a clear view of Tanah Rata and Brinchang towns from the peak. We took some time to explore an alternative trail behind the trigonometric station. The alternative trail split into 2 trails: Left Trail 8 to Robinson waterfall and right Trail 7 to Mini tea plantation beside MARDI.

After the usual snack time and photography break, we left the peak at 11.45 a.m. This time we decided to explore Trail 6 home upon reaching the Pavilion Rest Area. We took less than 2 hours to trek from the peak to the Forestry Department, which is the trail head for Trail 6 to Gunung Beremban. Except for one step descent and 2 steep ascents, after the Pavilion Rest Area, the trail was relatively simple to trek. When we reached the Forestry Department at 1.35 p.m., we found that the ever thoughtful and resourceful Ben had gone ahead to thumb a lift from a kind gentleman to Mardi trail head to collect his vehicle in order to fetch us from the Forestry Department.

We left the place at 2 p.m. and reached PJ at 7 p.m. with an hour break for early dinner at Hao Yi Lou, Tapah for RM8 pax.

Trekking buddies: Ben, Murugiah, Kanchana, Chua, Jackie, May, Siew Ngoh, Elsie, Yip and Yeoh.

NB: This mountain Gunung Beremban (1,812m) is different from the higher Gunung Berembun (2,076m) situated in Terengganu.




For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/7987.

Upper Ah Pak San Waterfall 1 Jul 2010

Started at 9.30 a.m. we took more than 2 hours to reach the Upper waterfall aka Wow-Wow waterfall. It was a weekday, so we literally had the waterfall area to ourselves. The water flow was strong and refreshingly cold. We left the place at 12.30 p.m. and reached the base at 2.15 p.m.

Trekking buddies: Joyce, Sara, Justina, Kay Hwa and Leng-lei

For the photographs, please refer to: http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/7985.

The last Upper Ah Pak San Waterfall was on 1 March 2009 (http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2009/03/upper-ah-pak-san-waterfall-1309_3.html).

Gunung Datuk 13 Jun 2010

My last trip to Gunung Datuk was exactly 1 year ago on 13 June 2009. Like June a year ago, the weather was extremely hot and as usual we were literally bathing in our own sweat. Nothing much has changed. This gunung remained as popular as ever. The view from the famous gigantic rock outcrop was clear and good. The trail was patched dry and easy to trek. We took about 2 hours to hit the summit and 1 1/2 hours to return to base. On the downside, the forest was less vibrant. Nevertheless, it was a good fun hike, especially with great trekking buddies Ben, Barbara, Murugiah, Kanchanna, Wai Ching, Engu, Yeoh, Ong, Christina, Randy, Ting, Nicole, Koon Kong, May and Yip.

We ended our trek with a late afternoon lunch at Restoran Happy Seng Kee. The food was good and price reasonable at RM12 pax for 5 dishes of fish, vegetables, taufoo and chicken.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/7982.

Photos of previous trips can be viewed at:
1) http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2009/06/gunung-datuk-13-june-09_14.html
2) http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2009/02/g-datuk-140209.html
3) http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2008/03/gunung-datuk-2032008_20.html
4) http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2007/03/gunung-datuk-1832007_19.html

Gunung Bujang Melaka 6 Jun 2010

Eight of us, packed in one van, left Petaling Jaya at 5.15 a.m. We hit Bidor at about 6.50 a.m. where we had an early breakfast at the famous Pun Chun restaurant. We managed to reach the trail head at 7.40 a.m. There we found the trek leaders, Ming and Lim from Kampar waiting patiently for us. Quickly, we geared ourselves and started walking uphill along Jalan Batu Berangkai of Taman Ros at 7.45 a.m. The starting elevation was noted as 50m asl.

Along the way, we passed by scenic kampung houses and the infamous Batu Berangkai Waterfall which had claimed many lives (the recent case were 3 varsity students in November 2009). The water flow was indeed strong and impressive. It is a nice and pleasant area to relax and picnic. As we were running behind, we could not spare much time to enjoy the waterfall.

From the waterfall, we followed a narrow tar road for about 15 minutes before it ended in a jungle trail. Following the jungle trail, we by passed an orang asli house at 8.45 a.m. The trail snaked gently uphill for the next 1 hour to Campsite 1 situated at elevation 452m asl. The next 2 hour involved a very challenging climb of 520m to the Campsite 2 (970m asl). We even had to pull ourselves up a collapsed slope by grabbing onto roots and tree branches.

After a good 30 minutes rest, we started from the second campsite at 12:20 p.m. We took 1:20 hours to transverse 3 small hills to reach the peak (1234m asl) at 1.40 p.m. Notwithstanding a few fallen tree trunks whereby we were required us to do some crawling, this section of the trail was relatively easier. There was a small view of the Chendariang town. Unfortunately, it was obscured by a thick mist at that time.

We left the peak 10 minutes to 2 p.m. and reached the base at 6 p.m.

Overall, it was a very challenging day hike. The muggy weather that day really sapped a lot of energy from us. Luckily, it did not rain. Otherwise, it would be extra challenging to have to manage slippery trail.

Trekking buddies from KL: Ben, Muru, Khanchana, Randy, Ting, Cheh and Lee Lian.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/7980.

Gunung Angsi 25 Apr 2010

The last hike to G Angsi was in May 2009 (http://happyotrekker.blogspot.com/2009/05/gunung-angsi-24-may-09_25.html).

After Senawang, the drive to Bukit Putus trunk road was a breeze without a single motor vehicle in sight. From the head trail, we could look down and watch vehicles tearing down the newly constructed Seremban- Kuala Pilah highway which runs almost parallel to the old trunk road. Hopefully, the local authorities would continue to maintain the trunk road.

Starting at 8.40 a.m. we took a slow trek to fully enjoy the beautiful windy weather and the forest,"fresh" and "alive" possibly due to a heavy rainfall the night before. We noted that someone has thoughtfully put up signboards for the direction to G Angsi (using the easy route) as well as areas of interest. We hit the peak close to 12 noon after 3 hours trek.

After a good rest and refreshment, we descended at 1 pm and arrived at the base at 2.40 p.m.

Trekking buddies are Choo, Janice, Wai Chin, Ong & Yeoh.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/7999.

Gunung Tampin 10 Apr 2010

Despite the heavy thunderstorm since 5 a.m. in PJ, we still decided to go ahead with our plan to hike Gunung Datuk. It was raining heavily throughout our road journey but we hoped the rain would stop when we approached G Datuk. True enough the rain did stop, but we our hope was dashed when we realized that there was on going G Datuk Challenge event. Judging by the numerous vehicles (including buses), the crowd must be big. So we decided to head for G Tampin. Luckily, our car was fitted with a GPS – a mighty useful tool which led us towards G Tampin and a nice local resident took time to show us the way to the trail head which is located in Kg Seri Tampin.

Starting at 9.40 a.m. we did a slow walk up the winding tar road to the summit. Along the way, there were several covered rest areas. After about 30 minutes, we reached a recreation spot equipped with a changing room and a pool. At 11 a.m. we were greeted by a huge satellite dish carrying the Telekom logo at the peak. The walk was uneventful but pleasant given the thick canopy which provided much shade and the cool weather after the morning shower. We only met 3 hikers along the way.

After a short photography session at the peak, we left at about 11.30 a.m. and hit the base at 12.15 a.m. We then headed for Melaka for some shopping and to savour the famous chicken rice balls for lunch.

The return car journey was horrendous for our car was caught in 1-hour jam before the Sg Besi Toll Gate. After paying the toll, we were allowed to make a U-turn to find another exit from Seremban Hwy via UPM. We attributed the jam to the numerous vehicles (buses and cars with N9 banners) ferrying fans to the Malaysia FA Cup final between N9 and Kedah.

NB: For location of G Tampin, see http://travelingluck.com/Asia/Malaysia/Negeri+Sembilan/_1741882_Gunong+Tampin.html#local_map. Take the road that turns off the main road into Kampung Seri Tampin. The trail head is located at the end of this road.

Trekking buddies: Nicole, Mee Hong, Xiung, Aun Pein and Sziang Meng.

For the photographs, please refer to http://happytrekker.shutterfly.com/pictures/7939.