2 May 2023
The elephant and beyond
Elephant peak to Jinwu peak from Xiangshan staion
The subtitle above that says Elephant peak and Xiangshan station is kind of redundant, as Xiangshan means elephant peak, but to assist google in finding my story of climbing elephant peak and all the other peaks in what is known as the four beasts area, I have provided both.
Elephant mountain is so named as it was the last place in Taiwan where the Asiatic elephant roamed, up until their eventual extinction for their fantastic quality of shoe leather in 1983. These were the last of the great Pachyderm that used to be prominent across all of what was once known as Formosa. Would I find a lost herd today? Only time and scrolling the photos will tell.
The actual peak is but a few steps from the road, quite close to the station after a walk through a nice path. This is a lower down peak, but it is probably the main view point of all of Taiwan, with an area called 'photographers lookout' and signs advising you where to take the same photo as everyone else has already taken.
If however you continue on, you can turn 15 minutes into 3 hours. It was not my original plan, and I was travelling without any supplies, but once I saw the map showing the path, I could not resist.
The view remains great the whole way, there are many paths to get off at earlier points if you do not want to summit each of the beasts, but alas, I of course carried on until the end.
In the near future the subway is going to be extended to the end point, but for now, you can walk about 30 minutes back to the same Xiangshan station where I started my hike, or alternatively take a bus.
I started my day with a coffee in this park near my hotel. I have sat here before. It is known for it's friendly squirrels, I saw them bothering a girl eating a sandwich but they wisely left me alone.
After getting off at Xiangshan station and walking through a very nice park, I arrived here, and assumed a path up behind that fancy building was the Elephant Peak walk, it was not. I found out by going up it.
On my way up the wrong path, I sweated a lot, and briefly thought about taking a ride in this free to use self operated cable car.
Before too long I got to this point and realised I was on the wrong path. It was a dead end, and there were no other people. Only I can get lost looking for the start of the most popular trail in all of Taiwan.
It is not like the real start of the trail is hidden in any way, it even has an elephant!
Today's hike was completely stairs and concrete trails. Largely slippery step free.
First view of Taipei 101. There are flowers lining the path in many areas.
I believe this is the photographers assigned view point.
Apparently, this is Elephant peak. It is not really discernible as a summit of any kind.
I carried on, along a nice path that was more like a linear garden through the hills. A lot of old dudes wanted to chat today.
There are numerous detours to take, many go to old person hang out spots with exercise areas, but also the occasional Buddha. Soon I will be old enough to hang out in a makeshift tent with old folks smoking and playing cards.
I have gone further away from Taipei 101. I guess that hill in the foreground is Elephant Peak.
More Buddha's, I cannot really achieve a shallow depth of field with this camera even at f/1.8.
On my way down now, it was a fully developed path the entire way.
Still time for a bit more view. The grey clouds were brief, and provided temperature relief for a while. It did not last.
Wave goodbye to Taipei 101, for now.
Mystery orb.
The last part of the descent goes through a number of temples. Perhaps I will include an incense burner every day. Here is the first for today, it won't be the last.
The lower part of the trail went through this nice forest, which was advertised as being a firefly viewing area. The show was cancelled 20 years ago during it's first season.
The path let's out at, wait for it, a temple! A plain one, with lots of air conditioners.
But don't worry, if you go around the first corner, you get to another temple, this one was much more splendiforous. If you are playing the incense burner game, drink now.
Nope. I will not. Also, that's all for now folks.