Wave Rock and Bukit Taisho

A recce trip at Bukit Taisho and Wave Rock @ Bukit Baginda of Kuala Pilah on 30 Nov 2019 ... it was drizzling the whole morning, and the hilltop of Bukit Taisho was engulfed with cloud/mist, just like in Genting highlands; one way is about 30 minutes. According to one regular hiker, viewing of sunrise and sunset is possible at the hilltop. 

Bukit Baginda is about 30 minutes' drive from Bukit Taisho. I was the only car parked at the car park of Bukit Baginda. At CP2 (check-point), there was a huge rock and I thought I have arrived within 15 minutes. There was a ranger there alone and I chatted with him for a while. According to the ranger, the Wave Rock is located at CP8. Due to the rain, I was hiking up and down the hill alone. The trails are well marked; one way to Wave Rock is about one hour from the car park.

A nice plan would be to view sunrise at Bukit Taisho, then hike Bukit Baginda to see Wave Rock; and have lunch at Kuala Pilah before returning to Kuala Lumpur.

GPS Locations: in Google Maps, type following search keys: Bukit Taisho starting point; Bukit Baginda trailhead.

Do CLICK HERE to view photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

 Bukit Taisho

 Bukit Taisho

 Wave Rock

Wave Rock

Posted by KC Leong

Vibrant Sunrise

After the heavy rain in the late afternoon these days, the sunrise is very colourful ... photos below were taken by yours truly in the morning of 26 and 27 Nov 2019.

Do click on the photo for actual display size.

Posted by KC Leong

Gasing Hill Hiking

Hiking at Gasing Hill on Saturday 23 Nov 2019 ... Team lead for this hike was Michelle Lian. It has been almost three years that I last came here for outing. 

Do CLICK HERE to view photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

 At the Indian Temple ... (left) KC, LimHY, Edance, Stephanie, Shu-Lin, Michelle Lian

Additional challenge for the hill ascent

 At the Kerinci Park area

 The iconic suspension bridge of Gasing Hill

 High up at the suspension bridge

Do we look cool enough? :-)

Posted by KC Leong

Gunung Datuk Hike

Gunung Datuk hike on Saturday, 16 Nov 2019 ... the hike this morning was also a big group, comprised of members from the teams of ChanHN, Khor Leong Huat and KC. While busy taking photos, I was the last person to report with the number count at 43 – one number more than the Gunung Angsi hike the week before.

Do CLICK HERE to view photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong.

 A group photo at the spot formerly with a huge wooden kris

Due to the short distance, most of us arrived at the peak almost the same time. We also have more time to chat and talk humorously while brewing coffee at the peak. 

A check in my blogsite, the last time I hiked at Gunung Datuk was on 28 Jan 2015 –  almost a lapse of five years! Previously, the registration counter was located at the car park; it is now strategically located at the trail head. The registration fee of RM5 per hiker is still applicable.

 At the registration counter strategically located at the trail head

 The peak of Gunung Datuk ... fine and breezy weather

 Another group photo at the G. Datuk peak

ChanHN asks ... Who would want to try the best Hainanese style chicken chop in town?

Posted by KC Leong

Gunung Angsi Hike

Hiking Gunung Angsi on Saturday, 9 Nov 2019 ... it was a big group with hikers from ChanHN's, Michelle Lian's, Elaine Lee's and KC's teams. We started the hike from Bukit Putus to the peak, then descended the hill via Ulu Bendul way. At the trail head, I guessed there could be a few hundreds hikers. Registration for hiking is RM5 per person.

Do CLICK HERE to view 65 photos courtesy of yours truly, KC Leong. 

A big group of hikers started at Bukit Putus trail head

The weather in the morning was cloudy, looked like the spilled over from the seven hours of drizzle the day before. But at around 12 noon, we could see blue sky again; overall, it was a nice and cooling day for outing in the morning. At the peak, it was full of hikers at the small clearing with trees and hut. Most hikers would queue to take photos at the signage that has the sign "Gunung Angsi". Most hikers after having their refreshment, would hurriedly descend the hill to make way for other hikers. 

 Gunung Angsi peak

The trail from Bukit Putus is wide and clear, able to accommodate large number of hikers. The trail from Ulu Bedul is comparatively narrow, with many obstacles caused by fallen trees with the big trunks blocking the path. With years of soil erosion, the trails at Ulu Bendul are with wide steps at the steeper slope, making descent a little slower. At the stream crossing, I was surprised to see that despite the daily rain for the past few weeks, there wasn't much water in the stream. One way to the peak from Bukit Putus trail head is around 1 hr 45 min (moderate pace); while the descent to Ulu Bendul Recreational Park is around 3 hours (comfortable pace). 

 Even making drinks and having light refreshment is also having so much fun

Together with Shu-Lin, Emily, Claudia, Rachel, Nixon, it was a fun and enjoyable hike together. We completed the outing with a nice noodle lunch at Yi Poh 姨婆老鼠粉 Restaurant in Seremban.

 Descending the hill via Ulu Bendul way

 Emily descending the obstacle course area

Not much water in the stream despite weeks of rain recently

 Many fallen trees blocking the path

 Arriving at Ulu Bendul Recreational Park

Left: Emily, Rachel, Nixon, Claudia, Shu-Lin, KC Leong

Posted by KC Leong

Vibrant Sunset

Vibrant sunset this evening, Wednesday 6 Nov 2019; the photo was taken in front of my house (not in the photo) at 7:10 p.m. when it was almost dark.

(click on the photo for enlarged file size)

Posted by KC Leong

Cooking Lunch in Apek Hill

Hiking at Apek Hill via the extended Watergate trail on Sat 2 Nov 2019 ... with the closure of hiking trails in the forest reserves of Selangor, Perak, Pahang from 1 Nov 2019 to 31 Jan 2020, there are not many hills in Selangor where the hikers can go. Lately, we heard that one group of hikers went hiking at Gunung Liang, Perak without permit and was fined a few thousands Ringgit. Hence, hiking at Apek Hill in Cheras is a good choice. The hiking today consisted of a few groups, and the big number of hikers.

Lawrence and Michelle Lian did something elaborated while at the Saga hilltop station – cooking a full scale lunch! It was a fun moment with the gotong-royong in helping to cook the lunch. Having a freshly cooked meal in the forest sure tasted fantastic. I quipped that the food was so good, it is even better than the chap-fun (mixed rice) in Econsave building near to the trailhead car park.

Do CLICK HERE to view photos courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong).

 A group photo before Station 1

 Meeting other hikers at this junction

 Crossing the Watergate ... with the daily rain, crossing this area requires helping hand

 Making tea at Saga hilltop station ... KC, Ong, ChiaCF, Sylvia, LeeGC

 Vince, DC Tan, Eldon, Elsie Liew, LeeWY

 Adrian, friend of Ervie, Yoke Leng, Brono, SC Yong 

 Gotong-royong in preparing the food ... Wong, Wendy, Lawrence, Michelle Lian, Edance Tong

 Great effort - seven dishes for lunch

                                    hmmm... a delicious meal

Posted by KC Leong