Mito Mountain (三頭山)
November 6, 2010 - Mt. Mito
After taking a crowded train to Okutama Station and a local bus packed full of hikers and backpacks, we found ourselves pretty much alone as we began our hike from Lake Okutama.
The forests around Lake Okutama were in various stages of their fall colors. Large beechwood trees and maples make for beautiful fall scenery in early November.
After crossing the lake on the floating bridge, we hiked up through the the steep ups and down leading to Mito mountain. For every 100 meters you climb up, it seems you go back down another 80 meters. The loose rock and tree roots can make the trail difficult and dangerous to climb. However, the scenery makes it well worth the effort. While hiking up, Lake Okutama and the surrounding mountains with their fall colors are visible.
The peak of Mito mountain is about 1500 meters. In the distance, we can see Mt. Fuji as well as other mountains in the Okutama region.
We took the trail through the Tomin forest to go down the mountain. This is a protected forest that features large beechwood and maple trees. The trail is much easier to hike and leads to a large 33 meter waterfall. They have built a suspension bridge just to view the waterfall.
The hike finishes at parking area that includes a gift shop famous for selling dango. Thanks to the kind staff there that called us a shuttle bus to the onsen.
After taking a crowded train to Okutama Station and a local bus packed full of hikers and backpacks, we found ourselves pretty much alone as we began our hike from Lake Okutama.
The forests around Lake Okutama were in various stages of their fall colors. Large beechwood trees and maples make for beautiful fall scenery in early November.
After crossing the lake on the floating bridge, we hiked up through the the steep ups and down leading to Mito mountain. For every 100 meters you climb up, it seems you go back down another 80 meters. The loose rock and tree roots can make the trail difficult and dangerous to climb. However, the scenery makes it well worth the effort. While hiking up, Lake Okutama and the surrounding mountains with their fall colors are visible.
The peak of Mito mountain is about 1500 meters. In the distance, we can see Mt. Fuji as well as other mountains in the Okutama region.
We took the trail through the Tomin forest to go down the mountain. This is a protected forest that features large beechwood and maple trees. The trail is much easier to hike and leads to a large 33 meter waterfall. They have built a suspension bridge just to view the waterfall.
The hike finishes at parking area that includes a gift shop famous for selling dango. Thanks to the kind staff there that called us a shuttle bus to the onsen.