Hiking photos - Immortal Valley Loop, 2011/01/08

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In summer Immortal Valley is filled with the pleasant sound of running water, with streams running down and out of a deep canyon. In winter, the streams, pools, and waterfalls freeze over.

The first half of this hike was very cold - we walked up the canyon, passing frozen pools and waterfalls. The canyon is quite deep, so no sun reaches the path along the bottom. We measured the temperature as -10°C, and we could really feel the chill when not walking.

The second half of the hike was much warmer. We climbed out of the canyon and up on to a ridge, finally seeing some sun. We followed a trail along the ridge, passing rocky outcrops on the way back down to the valley trail. As we walked down we had excellent views of the Miyun Reservoir, the surrounding mountains, and some of the Great Wall in the area.

Ice climbers, Beijing Hikers Immortal Valley Loop hike, January 8, 2011

Ice climbers on a man-made wall of ice.

Ice climbers, Beijing Hikers Immortal Valley Loop hike, January 8, 2011

Climbers on the second ice wall in the park.

View from the top, Beijing Hikers Immortal Valley Loop hike, January 8, 2011

The trail leads up a metal stairway to the side of the wall of ice.

Frozen waterfall, Beijing Hikers Immortal Valley Loop hike, January 8, 2011

One of the frozen waterfalls.

Frozen waterfall, Beijing Hikers Immortal Valley Loop hike, January 8, 2011

Some of the waterfalls in the park are 'enhanced' by feeding extra water through a pipe.

Ice cave, Beijing Hikers Immortal Valley Loop hike, January 8, 2011

Ice stalactites in front of a cave.

Ice fall and cave, Beijing Hikers Immortal Valley Loop hike, January 8, 2011

Another shot of the cave.

Frozen stream, Beijing Hikers Immortal Valley Loop hike, January 8, 2011

Further up the valley, the streams were frozen into large blocks of ice. The red characters read (roughly) 'Heavenly Fairy's Bathing Pond'.

Pine, Beijing Hikers Immortal Valley Loop hike, January 8, 2011

At the top of Immortal Valley there are 360° views of mountains and canyons, as well as this attractive pine tree.

Lookout at the top of Immortal Valley, Beijing Hikers Immortal Valley Loop hike, January 8, 2011

The lookout at the top of Immortal Valley is 808m above sea level.

View of Miyun Reservoir, Beijing Hikers Immortal Valley Loop hike, January 8, 2011

The sun was out, and we had views of Miyun Reservoir in the distance.

Rock outcrops, Beijing Hikers Immortal Valley Loop hike, January 8, 2011

The trail down led below large rock outcrops.

View of Miyun Reservoir, Beijing Hikers Immortal Valley Loop hike, January 8, 2011

Another view of Miyun Reservoir.