ヒザのリハビリも上り調子だ。
Getting better with my knees from damage in mountaineering.
Regular observation point on Shibakawa river.
Greens covering stones on the river bottom seem to indicate a good water quality.
The path by the river is covered with bushes.
Summer plants in bloom.
登山でヒザのダメージがあるので、リハビリモードで芝川ジョグと水の色の定点観測に復帰。
Got back to Shibakawa jog with some damage on my knees from mountaineering.
Regular observation point on Shibakawa river.
Stubborn mulberry cut off again.
Summer plants in the farming area.
Nishiberi channel.
空木岳山頂を経て駒ヶ根に下山。伊那街道（三州街道）に接続。
Welcomed by beautiful sunrise.
Said goodby to Kisodono-sanso hut.
Weather turned misty with strong west winds.
Two young climbers passed me over.
At times, the sun would peek through the veil of clouds.
Attractions along the rocky ridge trail.
Utsugidake peak got closer.
Reached the peak at 2,864m high in clouds.
Eastside of the range showed haimatsu vegetation.
Fortunate to have encountered a Ptarmigan parent and its offspring.
Clear at times in moving clouds all the day.
Inadani(伊那谷) valley from Komaishi(駒石) view point.
Took a drop to see the glacial landscape of Utsugidaira(空木平).
The snowy climate has caused the birch trunks to grow sideways.
The trail led horizontally to the valley bottom.
Here came the water spot of Utsugidaira-hinan-goya(空木平避難小屋) cabin
From Utsugudaira to Komagane base, a long trail including several rocky gaps continued.
From Ikeyama-goya(池山小屋) cabin to Komagane town was a long walking work if you do not call a taxi. And I did not.
At last the hotel reserved came in sight. Today's course time was 11.5 hours.
After taking a shower at the hotel, I went out for dinner and looked back at the mountains I had traveled from.
Next morning I merged walking Ina or Sansyu kaido(伊那街道。三州街道ともいう) old route around JR Komagane station.
Bought an express ticket from Iida to Toyohashi.
Enjoyed a train travel recalling memories once visited at my high school age.
Bought a lunch box and some souvenirs at Toyohashi station and got in the Shinkansen back home.
One of the people I met on the trip sent a picture at Kisodono hut. The person on the left is me.
キャンプを5時に出て木曽殿山荘を目指した。
Packed up the tent and left at 5 a.m. under a clear sky, just before dawn.
After about 15 minute effort, reached the trail at Usagidaira.
At the crossing point with the forestry road.
Mountain trail was just maintained well.
Kitazawa(北沢) crossing point of stream. The bridge was also lost at this point due to a heavy storm some years ago.
The valley looked rough from the storm.
Managed to cross at this point without getting my shoes wet, though it required concentration due to the heavy load on my back.
Morning blue sky from the bottom of the valley.
Continued my walk and rested at the Sen-nin-no-izumi(仙人の泉) water spot.
Beautiful forest in morning beams.
A fantasy garden brimming with heart marks.
Heavenly green colors.
Forest of lives.
Frilled promenade.
Ginryousou (Monotropastrum humile) is a nymph of the forest.
Mt. Utsugi came into sight.
Blue mountain range of Kiso area looked in the back.
Reached Chikaramizu(義仲の力水), nearing today's final destination, where spent one hour for rest.
The final minutes of the trek to Kisodono-sanso hut.
Arrived at Kisodono-goe col. Checked into the hut and spent time relaxing until dinner.
Today's work was for 8.5 hours including long rests.
中山道を野尻宿まで行ったところで、木曽殿越えに大きく寄り道してみた。
My Nakasendo walking has reached Nojiri post town where one of the starting points to climb Mt Utsugi. Last time I saw a sign board at JR Kuramoto station, I was strongly motivated to drop by this climbing, connecting Nakasendo with Ina or Sansyu kaido, that makes a great detour from Nakasendo walking. The time has come sooner than I imagined then.
Departed Shinjuku station and reached Kuramoto station(中央西線倉本駅) at noon.
Yes, this signboard.
My fun to trace unpopular paths using a map and compass.
Looked back at Kuramoto station from old Nakasendo, visited again from May this year.
Saw an antique item from the station preserved by the local residents.
Began climbing from here.
Submitted the plan sheet prepared in advance.
Old path on the map is not recommended, but I go.
Umanose(馬の背) Ridge.
After passing Umanose Ridge, the old trail became unclear in the sparse underbrush of the woods. Abandoning the effort to trace the path in the map, I ascended directly towards the paved forestry road. It turned out that I merged the road at approximately 200 meters shorter from the intended destination.
Again entered the mountain path.
Likely due to the route's lack of popularity, the wild vegetation appeared to be well-preserved.
Water cedar(ミズスギ Lycopodiella cernuum).
The weather featured intermittent sunshine, clouds, and occasional showers.
Arrived at Nakahaccho toge(中八丁峠) pass.
Wooden signboard was very weathered.
Tightened up the shoelaces and began descending.
Looking down at the path to the valley.
Haccho shimizu(八丁清水) water spot.
After descending the steep and slippery trail to the valley, I arrived at the lost bridge point on Inagawa(伊奈川) river.
To cross the stream safely, I moved several meters upstream where the water flowed more broadly. Even here, the water was knee-deep, and the lateral pressure was intense. My shoes were completely soaked.
After crossing the stream and walking along the forestry road, I arrived at the location where the Usagidaira-hinan-goya cabin(うさぎ平避難小屋) was supposed to be. The latest edition of the guide map indicated the cabin's presence, but it was nowhere to be found.
I attempted to trace the old trail on the map again, but I couldn't find it despite signs of forestry activities.
Completed today's walk and settled just west beneath the Usagidaira plateau. The duration of the course was 6 hours.
