SEOUL, May 29 (AJP) - On a May morning, under an overcast sky, I began an ascent toward Bunburyeong Peak on Mount Daedeok in Taebaek, Gangwon Province.
The air at Dumundongjae, my starting point, felt sharply cold, reminiscent of late autumn. Layering a windbreaker over my rain gear provided a necessary warmth.
As the trail commenced, bright yellow wild celandine emerged, blanketing the ground. While the trees above were still tentatively unfurling lime-green shoots, the undergrowth below was already a vibrant tapestry of various plants.
The wild celandine, in particular, dominated the landscape, transforming stretches of the mountain into a brilliant yellow expanse. Its rain-kissed petals glowed against the dim, drizzly light, their individual delicacy overshadowed by the sheer abundance that created what could only be described as a celestial garden.
The yellow fields soon gave way to swathes of small white flowers. These small blooms, like their yellow counterparts, formed dense clusters, their collective whiteness strikingly evident.
The route through Mt. Taebaek National Park, spanning Dumundongjae, Geumdaebong, Bunburyeong Peak and concluding at the Geomnyongso parking area, is a moderate four-and-a-half-hour walk.
Designated a conservation area, access is managed through a reservation system, limiting daily visitors to 500 to preserve its delicate environment.
Despite reaching altitudes exceeding 1,000 meters, the trail offers a gentle experience.
Beginning at Dumundongjae, at 1,268 meters (approximately 4,160 feet), the entire path descends gradually, with an overall elevation change of only about 100 meters.
Though setting out on a rainy day might seem unappealing, the experience of a wet mountain trail, short of a downpour, often surpasses a clear day.
The mist and crisp air impart a profound sense of exhilaration.
As a photographer, opportunities to capture such atmospheric scenes are rare. While moisture on the lens or fogging presents an inconvenience, the stunning vistas invariably compensate for the minor discomforts.
After a walk amidst the wildflowers, I paused at a quiet clearing to enjoy a pre-ordered, three-tiered lunchbox, picked up from the visitor center, which proved satisfyingly substantial.
The trail was characterized by numerous tall trees. Beneath their imposing canopies, the wildflowers, enveloped in mist, provided compelling subjects for photography.
Near the conclusion of the descent, a cold spring named Geomnyongso emerges. This cold spring, where approximately 2,000 tons of groundwater surge daily through limestone bedrock, maintains a consistent temperature of about 9 degrees Celsius throughout the year.
The water from the spring forms a series of cascade-like waterfalls, dropping about 20 meters.
Below, centuries of continuous flow have deeply eroded the bedrock, creating channels that appear to writhe like a dragon. From this point, the water flows into the Han River, traveling more than 500 kilometers before finally emptying into the West Sea near Incheon.
reporter
Cho Bo-hee
jobo@ajupress.com
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