Pine Tree Trail Hike

Hiking Pine Tree Trail and overnight at High Pines Bungalow in Fraser's Hill from 20-22 July 2018 ... July is a dry and hot month in Klang Valley; as such, staging a 3D2N stay in the cool mountains and hiking Pine Tree Trail was an excellent idea. 

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

 Looking for tarantula spiders ... one of the tarantula species is found only at this hill resorts and nowhere else in the world

That was my first time staying in High Pines Bungalow, a cosy greystone bungalow owned by Boh Plantations group. This lovely Scottish design bungalow sits at one of the highest spots in Fraser's Hill with good views of the surrounding mountains, and is frequently engulfed in low clouds. The best part is that it is only a stone's throw away from the trail head of Pine Tree Trail.

 Relax after dinner in High Pines Bungalow with good hiking company

As usual, many hikers felt that the returning journey of Pine Tree Trail hike was also tiring as the terrain was not all downhill descent. One still has to climb two major flights of stairs and a final uphill hike to return to the trail head.

Timing:

Start hiking = 7:30 a.m.
One way to the first peak = 2.5 hr to 3 hr;

First peak to 2nd peak = 30 to 45 min;

Round trip is about 7 hours.

A cool and misty morning at High Pines Bungalow

High Pines Bungalow (Fraser's Hill) ... It was a coincidence that the caretaker, Mr Tan, was admitted to hospital. The wife who does not cook, was in-charged.  Most of the group members opined that his wife was too petty, nasty and giving us a hard time (that affected the mood of the stay) even though we paid for the 3D2N accommodation: she was overly concern that we must not dirty the place; that we could not use the crockery (not even the cups!!); that we could not boil water for drinking; that we must not bring food and consume in the bungalow; that we could not do this or that, etc. Suggesting that we should eat our food in the garden, she said but subject to the gardener's permission. But a check at the garden, there was no table and chairs to put the food. We wonder who set the rules!

A group member commented that with years taking charge of the bungalow/property, they felt that visitors are encroaching into their territory; hence, imposing rules that disregard even basic needs.

 At the front gate of High Pines Bungalow ... I have been hiking at Pine Tree Trail for almost 10 times but I have never cross this boundary. 

(back, left) LooHinLee, Jimmy Teh, Angie Ng, Jackie, Rocky Chan, Irene Poh, Sally Teh, Abdullah, Julia Ooi, Karen Lee, LeeWaiYin; (front) KC Leong, ChanHN, Loo Hin Lee, ChinYM (holding camera: Freddy Yeong)

 A group photo at the trail head of Pine Tree Trail ... the metal signage is a new one (not sure why there is a need for two); notice the gate at the left of the photo frame – that is the High Pines Bungalow. It was also the first time that we do not need to drive to the trail head.

 A bigger group photo at the first peak with members from another two hiking groups

 View from the second peak ... that is the trail leading to the Semangok Peak: two hours to Merah Campsite, and another 4 hours to the peak. In the photo: Eddie Lau, Jessica Tan, Julia Ooi

 Group photo at the second peak

 Ascending and descending this part of the hill is dangerous ... posing for photo is Eva Chin

 Day 3 camping-style breakfast at a pondok en route to Jeriau Waterfall

At Jeriau Waterfall

(click above trail map for actual bigger size)
At the entrance of Jeriau Waterfall, we met six trail runners who ran/hiked from the Pine Tree trail head and returned via another run-able trail that connected to this Jeriau Waterfall (light-blue line above). Does anyone know this new trail, do kindly share information. We are having plan to explore this trail. This shorter or slightly easier trail would enable the day hike to Semangkok Peak be completed within daytime.

Posted by KC Leong

A Memorable Pine Tree Trail Hike

“Brother, would you mind if you sit over there so that I could take the photos of the ladies,” I interrupted the conversation of an elderly gentleman who was sitting there having his afternoon tea with his friend at the World of Phalaenopsis, Hulu Yam Bharu on 22 Sept 2017. He gladly did. We proceeded with the photos shoot.

Do CLICK HERE to view photos courtesy of yours truly. 

Do CLICK HERE to view photos (on the hiking journey of Pine Tree trail to Twin Peak) courtesy of ChongYF using a new Sony A6000.

Later, the elderly gentleman spoke to us; from the tone of the conversation, OMG he is the boss of the entire orchid farm!  :-)

He was so kind and friendly to take us for a tour of his orchid farm where the flowers are hotly sought after and distributed throughout Peninsula M’sia. He patiently explained the various details and processes to us. With the expanding business, his company requires three times the current work force.

 (L-R): Miki Cheah, Ivy Wong, Shu-Lin and Lana

A group photo with Mr Steven Cheong, the boss of this orchid farm (back, centre)

After the surprised tour, we proceeded with our lunch and continued our journey to Fraser’s Hill. It was fun staying in a lodge where the entire 16 team members were able to mingle together with good camaraderie. The weather at Fraser's Hill was cooling with brief moments of slight drizzles. Amidst the cool evening, sitting outside the lodge sipping drinks, chatting, joking and laughing silly was a moment to cherish. 

3D2N in this lodge at Fraser's Hill ... (front L-R): Miki Cheah, Shu-Lin, LeeWY, Ivy Wong, ChongYF, Karen Lee, CK Toh, Abbie, Jessica, Kwai Yin; (back): Amelia, ChanHN, Lee Guat Choo, KC Leong, Edwin How, George Siew, Lana.

 Do you see what I see? ... 

The 'yow yeng' team 

Looking for tarantula spiders – at night, we went to look for spiders; one of the tarantula species is found only at this hill resorts and nowhere else in the world. Most of the time, it was ChongYF who would shine and look for the spiders’ nests (round hole by the hill slope). This time, we have a new learner, Miki Cheah, who learned fast how to induced the spider by using a stick. It was quite fun enticing them to crawl out from their nests. After a few attempts of not able to lure the spiders to crawl out, George Siew suggested to try lady’s saliva to see the different. It was quite a funny moment seeing the ladies spitting on to the end of the stick. There was one spider who was very energetic that it crawled onto Miki’s stick that gave Miki the scare.

 Looking for tarantula spiders ... Miki enticing them to crawl out with a stick 

One of the spider species

Timing of Pine Tree Trail hike on Day2 (23 Sept 2017, Saturday):

8:00 a.m. – started hiking from the trailhead 

10:30 a.m. (2.5 hours) – arrived at the first peak

11:30 a.m. – one hour of rest

12 noon (30 min) – arrived at Twin Peak

12:15 p.m. – started the descent journey

3:00 p.m. – returned to trailhead with a round trip of 7 hours (4:00 p.m. for those who were slower).

Do take note that application of permit is required to hike Pine Tree trail (from Pejabat Hutan Daerah Raub dan Cameron Highlands) and the fee is RM10 for each hiker. 

On Day-3, we proceeded to Jeriau Waterfall to have a dip in the water – the water was cold. We later checked-out of the lodge and have our lunch at Kuala Kubu Baru en route to Kuala Lumpur. It was a good and satisfying hike with short stay in the cool hill resorts. 

 Having fun at Jeriau waterfall

The three wise monkeys "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil"

Posted by KC Leong

Pine Tree Trail Trekking

The Rinjani Trekking Team and friends went for a group training at Pine Tree Trail, and put up a night in the cosy setting of RHB Bank Bungalow, Fraser's Hill on 18 April 2015. 

Started at the trailhead at 10:15 a.m., the team trekked to the peak steadily in a group while waiting for the slower team members. The team arrived at the peak at 1:00 p.m. After taking a breather, we proceeded to Twin Peak - the second peak. By 2:30p.m., the team descended the mountain. The faster team members returned to trailhead by 5:00 p.m. while the slowest ones emerged at 6:00p.m.

The weather was perfect for the trekking trip with overcast sky amidst a sunny day. A few days preceding the trekking trip, the weather was sunny and hot; but on the eve, it was raining quite heavily thereby provided a little cooling effect.

The next day, the team went to Chiling Waterfall en route back to Kuala Lumpur. It was a total different outings compared to the day before. We walked for more than an hour, crossing the same river in knee-deep water six times in order to arrive at the waterfall. It was really nice to be able to relax in the cold water. By the time we arrived at Hulu Yam Lama for meal, it was almost 5:00 p.m. – for lunch. 

The Team shall be trekking at Mount Rinjani, Lombok in mid-May 2015.

Do CLICK HERE to view 113 photos courtesy of yours truly (KC Leong).

 Posing in front of RHB Bank Bungalow …

(left, back): Lee Wai Yin, GohJS, Lim HoeYin, Kelvin, Lim Teck Hin, Tan Han Cie, Victor Cheong, George Siew

(front): Lana, Wenny, Samantha Liong, Karen Wu, Chong YF, KC Leong

 The trailhead of Pine Tree Trail

 Group photo at the first peak of Pine Tree Trail

 A good jump … GohJS, TanHC, LimHY, Kelvin.

 Group photo at Twin Peak, the second peak of Pine Tree Trail

 Dinner is ready … cook by the caretaker of RHB Bank Bungalow 

 Next morning, adjourn to Chiling Waterfall en route to Kuala Lumpur.

 A yow yeng pose by Lana

 A good platform for practising water jumping

 Lana performing a somersault jump

 More daring performance by these two boys

 Group photo at Chiling Waterfall

Having a sumptuous lunch-cum-dinner (5:30 p.m.) at the famous Hulu Yam Lama for the famous loh mee … Goh, Karen, Wenny.

Posted by KC Leong

RHB Mt Kinabalu Team at Fraser Hill

Away for a 3D2N trekking and teambuilding outings at Fraser's Hill from 23-25 August 2013 … This is the team preparing for Mount Kinabalu Climb in end October 2013 in celebrating RHB Bank 100th Anniversary.

The team has a good time staying up at the cool mountain with trekking and teambuilding activities. Other than the good food, that was good camaraderie chatting with colleagues who share the same interest and mission.

After the selection process at Gunung Nuang (Ulu Langat) on 1 June, with staff from all different regions (North, Sough, Central, East Malaysia), this is the first time that the team gather together.

Do click here to view 95 photos courtesy of yours truly (KC).

 Fine weather on Day 2, 24 August 2013, Saturday at 6:50 a.m. – a cool morning with mist hovering above the golf course

 With Deeno, the main outdoor facilitator of Punchak Event

 Safety briefing by Deeno

 A group photo before the start of trekking at Pine Tree Trail at 8:30 a.m. The team start walking from Clock Tower to trail head of Pine Tree Trail. 

 At the peak of Pine Tree Trail. The fastest group takes 2 hr 30 min (inclusive of walking from Clock Tower to trail head). From trail head, the timing would be about 2 hours.

 At Twin Peak

 Group photo at the second peak – Twin Peak. 

 Care for the environment -- they collect the rubbish, put them in a bag and carry it all the way descending the mountain. Bravo! 

 hmmm ... nice aroma of freshly prepared coffee by Patrick Yee

 Twin Peaks ... with SuWF

 Day 3 morning for teambuilding games ... the weather changed suddenly with clouds engulfing the entire area; slight drizzles followed.

Outdoor teambuilding games in progress

Posted by KC Leong

Pine Resorts - Assessment of Venue and Trekking Trails

A few of the Zhineng Qigong organizing committee members went up to Fraser's Hill for an overnight stay at The Pines Resorts on Saturday, 18 August 2012. The purpose is to assess the venue and the facilities for staging a 3D2N retreat workshop on 23-25 November 2012.

When the assessment job was done, led by yours truly (KC), we went round Fraser's Hill to visit a few places of interest and trekking trail heads. Finally, the moment for trial trekking at one of the trails to take note of the terrain and timing that is meant for a group event of 100 people on actual day.

Do click here to view Picasa web photo album on the assessment of venue, facility and trekking trail (45 photos).

Do click here for the full photo album (90 photos).

 Reasonably spacious presentation hall - (L-R): Grace Lim, CheongMW, TanCH, LimBB, Brenda Lee

 Serious work in progress amid graceful smiles

 Measurement of spacing necessary for qigong practice

 The main hall and the spacious balcony ... CheongMW and Grace Lim

 A new day has dawned amid the tranquil, cool and misty sky ... excellent view looking out of the balcony

 The Pines Resorts, Fraser’s Hill nestling on the hill slope

 Lim BB practising chi gong ... with excellent chi field

 The Pines Resorts ... the terrace layout of each unit ensuring unobstructed view of nature

 (left) Yours truly (KC Leong), Brenda, TanCH, LimBB, CheongMW, Grace Lim

 At Ye Olde Smokehouse

 At Allan's Water - closed for Raya Holidays

 The famous Pine Tree Trail

 Trial trekking at the Hemmant Trail that runs alongside the golf course

 Yeah, emerging from the trail

  Passing by the town area

The signature landmark of Fraser's Hill

Trekking at Hemmant Trail is only 15 minutes; walking on the road is about 45 minutes. (from my Garmin FR610 GPS-enabled watch)

Do click here to other chi gong activities involving yours truly (KC). This posting is repeated, do scroll down the pages.

Posted by KC Leong