Summiting Birobong Peak: A Solo Hike on Chiaksan Mountain
Chiaksan Mountain (雉岳山 Birobong Peak 1,288m)
Overview: Chiaksan Mountain, a renowned peak in the Chaeryeong mountain range, boasts outstanding and beautiful scenery. The name "Chiaksan" originates from a legend where a traveler, who saved a pheasant from a snake, was saved from danger by the pheasant in return. Rising to a height of 1,288m, the mountain features Birobong Peak as its main peak, with Hyangnobong and Namdaebong peaks to the south, and Maehwasan and Sambong peaks to the north, creating deep valleys in between. The northern ridge extending from Birobong Peak towards Guryongsa Temple has a very steep slope, while the eastern face has a relatively gentle slope. With its magnificent scenery and numerous cultural relics, Chiaksan Mountain was designated as a provincial park in 1973, and in 1984, it was elevated to Chiaksan National Park, covering a total area of 182.1㎢.
Date & Time: April 5, 2022 (Tuesday) 07:10
Location: Wonju-si, Yeongwol-gun, Hoengseong-gun, Gangwon-do
Course: Guryongsa Exploration Center → Guryongsa Temple → Daegok Safety Center → Seryeom Safety Center → Seryeom Falls (Ladder Rock Cliff) → Birobong Peak → Seryeom Falls (Ladder Rock Cliff) → Daegok Safety Center → Guryong Exploration Center
How long has it been since I last hiked Chiaksan Mountain alone back in my college days?
I'm filled with emotion and gratitude.
To climb Chiaksan, I came up the day before and stayed overnight at Chiaksan Natural Recreation Forest, which is 40 minutes away.
Arriving at Guryongsa Temple early in the morning, I was able to park much closer than the general parking lot further away.
I had originally planned to hike 23km, but I gave up because many sections were closed to protect against wildfires during the spring season. Also, I was planning to descend via the Birobong intersection and the valley trail, but that was also closed, so I went back and forth on the Ladder Rock Cliff trail.
After passing Guryongsa Temple, there's a suspension bridge.
Spring is gradually arriving at Chiaksan Mountain.
Seryeom Falls was small and pretty.
After visiting Seryeom Falls, I headed straight for Birobong Peak.
Immediately after passing Seryeom Falls, I joined the Ladder Rock Cliff trail.
Perhaps because it was early, I hadn't met any other hikers yet.
The mountain across the way looks like it's split in two.
This is the path where you can accurately understand the meaning of the Ladder Rock Cliff trail.
"Byeongchang" is a Gangwon-do dialect for cliff, and it means that the cliff looks like a ladder standing upright. If you look at this picture, both sides are cliffs and only a narrow path connects them.
Sugar boost!
Birobong Peak is getting closer.
Ice still remains in the shady areas.
Still haven't met any other climbers.
After waiting for a while, I was finally able to take a commemorative photo.
Guryongsa Temple
200-year-old ginkgo tree.
I take one last look at Birobong Peak.
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