Vulture Rock Ridge and the Old Pilgrim’s Trail, 2017/4/29
31 photos from a late-spring hike across the hills in west Beijing.
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On a clear day in Beijing you can see big mountains out to the west of the city.
This hike took us up along the top ridge of those hills. It was one of those clear days, and the scenery was excellent.
Hiking up the Dajue Temple pilgrim’s trail.
We had a four-legged companion along for the walk.
Coming around the mountain.
This part of the walk was particularly nice, an easy trail with great views.
Passing by an abandoned house.
The pear trees were in bloom.
Through the forest.
Up on to the ridge.
Looking back along the ridge. The little tower on the hill used to be a fire lookout; now it’s a base for cloud-seeding rocketeers.
Lovely shades of green in the hills.
Views of the outskirts of Beijing. We were on the border of Changping, Mentougou, and Haidian here.
Taking a little break before continuing.
The ridgeline trail.
Beijing’s urban sprawl.
A steep gravel track.
Near the top of the second peak we entered a park area.
A platform and a pile of rocks mark the high point.
We hiked further down to the big rock.
Here’s the border of Changping, Mentougou, and Haidian. Two hikers are in Haidian, one is in Mentougou, and the photographer is in Changping.
Out of the park and back on to the dirt tracks.
Through the forest.
On the pilgrim’s trail we found the remains of a Qing Dynasty-era tea house.
The paved pilgrim’s trail leads down to Beijing.
Heading on down.
The trail was funded by donations from rich people and (allegedly) a eunuch.
Big cliffs in the mountains.
Taking a rest on the way down.
Getting close to the end of the hike.
The track went through fir trees.
In the village at the end of the trail is a small temple with an ancient pine tree.
Post-hike picnic.