Senjojiki Cirque Round II


 Back in February 2023 we attempted to go snowshoeing at Senjojiki Cirque near Komagane in Nagano Prefecture. It didn't work out as conditions at the top of the ropeway were pretty much a white out. 

But even in the white out, we could tell this was a spectacularly beautiful place. We have been searching for a time when the weather would be nice and we could go again. This weekend we made it. It just so happened that the rest of Japan was thinking the same exact thing! (Actually it was a 3 day weekend in Japan - Sports Day, so there were a ton of hikers, but we decided that was just part of the whole experience.)

The description I read about the hike to the top of the mountain described it as a gentle, easy hike, suitable for beginners. So, I was quite surprised when I saw the stream of ant-sized people winding there way up the mountain. Several times I checked and re-checked the route, unable to believe that was the trail we were going to take. But sure enough, the only way up was up!

I was very proud of myself for sucking it up and making it to the top. I did get a bit sick (stress and altitude) but once I was on the ridgeline and ate some food, I felt a lot better. We then hiked to the second peak, but opted not to hike to the third and last peak. I just didn't have the nerves for it.

Still, it was very beautiful up in the clouds. We were hoping for a perfectly clear day, but given the altitude and climate, this may be the best we could hope for. See for yourself.

Waiting for our turn to ride up the ropeway. Japan is awesome when it comes to moving people in an orderly and convenient way. You have to take a bus to get to the lower ropeway station. As each bus pulls into the parking lot, a ropeway attendant boards the bus and directs people to take a number. You can see behind me is a white board - that is where they post the ropeway times for the ticket numbers. This way you can go to the bathroom, adjust your gear, get a snack, etc.. with out waiting in the line. The system is great, but the funny part is that they come out every few minutes with a marker and MANUALLY update the board. Very Japanese!



On our ride up, we could just see the tippy top of Mt Fuji. The following pic is a ZOOM of this one. Look between the cables and you can see Fuji-san.



Just had to throw this one in for comparison! (2/20/2023)

This is a pic of the cirque and here is where I saw the line of hikers making their way up to the top of the ridge. I ZOOMED in on this same pic in the next one, so you can see the tiny people.







Part way up and feeling sick - nerves mostly I think. It was hard because there were people coming up and going down on the same trail. Very stressful to me!


But the views up at the top of the ridgeline were worth it! There were people who continued on and we saw them on the top of several of the highest rocky peaks. CRAZY in my opinion!



In the background is where the trail continued to the third view - but I just couldn't do it any more. Too stressful. I think I have vertigo.




The clouds rolled in the blocked the view from some directions, but it gave an interesting look and feel to be up there in the middle of them.


















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