No, this is not a hike through a 5-star hotel, though that is something to keep in mind for the future. I do recall Ironman entertaining us with his adventures through the Sundance Mall in Hsinchu.
But, THIS hike will be a river trace of one hour or so up the Sichong River, near Siji (Four Seasons) in Ilan County to a natural hot spring source. Found this from a Chinese website. Looks very interesting. Not sure how big the hot spring source will be but I think this will be a lot of fun regardless.
Our own Omniloquacious, who is it seems as speedy a translator as he is a hiker, has provided us all with this:
[quote]Four Seasons Hot Spring (四季溫泉) is located in Ilan County’s Datong Township (大同鄉), downstream on the Sichong Stream (四重溪) that flows into the Lanyang River (蘭陽溪). To get there, I took the No. 7 Ilan-Yuanshan highway to the exit of the Northern Cross-Island Highway, then drove straight along Highway 7B through Maoliuan (茂留安) to Siji (“Four Seasons”). After crossing Siji No. 1 Bridge, I stopped the car to ask someone how to get to Four Seasons Hot Spring, but because it was so early in the morning there was no one about. Suddenly, a motorbike came by and stopped across the road from me. I hurried over to explain what I’d come for, and the good fellow gave me the directions I needed. So lucky! It was as if it had been arranged by the Gods. It turned out that he had only stopped because his engine had suddenly cut out, and if that hadn’t happened so fortuitously for me, I would never have been able to find anyone to ask.
I drove my car below the bridge, parked, and got ready to set off. The trace up the Siji Stream starts in a very rocky valley, and you must remember to wear your river-tracing shoes. First, you will come to Siji No. 1 Waterfall. Go round this high up on the left of the river and keep going straight ahead. You will next come to a gorge with a deep pool, where you will see a coarse rope on the stone wall on the right of the river to use to climb up around the pool. When you get back to the river bed, you will hear the sound of Siji No. 2 Waterfall. Climb straight up the opposite bank to go high around the waterfall. The small trail here is wet and slippery, but with the help of a plastic rope you can get along it smoothly. When you reach the top of Siji No. 2 Waterfall, you will see a big collapsed wall. After you have carefully made your away across, change into your swimsuit to swim across a deep pool. Walk on for quite a while and you’ll see Siji No. 3 Waterfall. Go around this on the left of the stream. On the right is Jade Damsel Peak (玉女峰), and on the left a big rock wall. Next to the rock wall is a channel where a gurgling mountain rivulet flows down, and at the base of the rock wall seems to be where the hot spring flows out. Unfortunately, it’s not very warm and there’s not much water. Keep going for another 15 minutes from here and you will come to a large shallow pool. On the left of the stream is a huge square boulder, from which the rust-coloured hot spring flows out. This is the Four Seasons Hot Spring. The hot spring has a temperature of 32ﾟC. There are telltale hot spring marks both in front of and behind the main spring, but the water temperature is not very high. Another 80 metres upstream, I found a hot spring with a temperature of 33ﾟC but little water, so I headed back to the main hot spring to take samples.
All the way up the Sichong Stream, there are many deep pools that are suitable for swimming, and there are pools under all the waterfalls. In particular, the large shallow pool next to the hot spring is like a natural swimming-pool. The clear, unpolluted water of the Sichong Stream is a paradise for playing in the water. However, Ilan’s mountain areas are home to many poisonous snakes in the summer, so you have to be very careful when you come here to play. December to March are the most suitable months for visiting. Remember that river-tracing shoes are essential, it’s good to take along rope as a precaution, and you’ll need a swimsuit.
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We’ll need to take cars of course. If we use the tunnel and are not hit with traffic it should take less than 2 hours to get to the bridge where we begin the river trace. This hike would appear to be entirely along the river so no need to carry boots. Dry bags will be useful. I have 2 lengths of 75-foot rope we can carry and slings. Omni, did I ever give you the slings or does Brian still have them?
I can fit five in my car: Me, Chris, Kitty, Omni if he needs it.
The rats have expressed interested in this one. (And Ratbrain, I have shaved.)
Who else?
Seriously, we were goign to go this weekend but cancelled because it looked like it would rain. But I want to do this as soon as possible for various reasons.