Author: vc-dev

The Sorbus commixta leaves are changing all the way down to Daiichi Kaen, meaning that the entire Mt. Aka course is in peak viewing season. This year’s Sorbus matsumurana leaves have a deep color throughout and are displaying the best coloring seen in the past 10 years.
Even though the fall foliage season has arrived on the Mt. Aka course, the trail was quiet this morning, with only a slightly higher number of climbers than we get on weekdays. I saw cars here and there, but only about 100 climbers during the morning.
Many of them were moving at a leisurely pace. I saw quite a few climbing relatively slowly to the peak, with some sitting for a while to admire the fall foliage, while others watched the Ochotona hyperborea yesoensis that frequently popped out among the rocks along the trail.
However, next weekend will be a long weekend. I expect the trail will be crowded with photographers and climbers. While the long weekends are fine, if you are a person who likes to climb at your own pace, I would recommend coming on a weekday.
Photos: Daiichi Kaen, Mt. Aka Sep. 7

Although there are still green Sorbus commixta leaves at Daisan Sekkei, the area is generally in peak season. The coloring has been progressing at Daisan Sekkei to the point that the very best time for viewing can be expected in the next few days.
Photos: Daisan Sekkei, Mt. Aka Sep. 7

Generally speaking, the Sorbus matsumurana leaves from the peak down to Daiyon Sekkei are in their best viewing season, although some of the leaves that turned early have fallen.
Thick and beautiful leaves could be seen throughout the entire area this morning. However, the coming weather could cause more and more leaves to fall, so I would recommend that those who wish to see the fall foliage around the peak head up soon.
Photos: Daiyon Sekkei, Mt. Aka Sep. 7

Today I went out to check on the progress of the fall foliage. Unfortunately, the visibility became poor near Eiko no Sawa and I could not get a look at the colors on the Tasuki no Koyo slope.
Even so, the leaves continue to change. The Sieversia pentapetala at Daini Hanabatake are turning together with the Sorbus matsumurana at Daiichi Hanabatake. Even from a distance,
beautiful colors can be seen on the Mt. Shiba ridge top. Meanwhile, the Sorbus commixta leaves are reddening in the woodland below Daiichi Hanabatake. I get the feeling that the very best time for viewing the fall foliage is not far away.
Photos: Daiichi Hanabatake (left) and the Mt. Shiba ridge top (right) Sep. 6

The following is a report on the fall foliage on Mt. Kurodake.
As the photos show, the entire eastern face of the mountain is brilliantly colored.
However, there are still green leaves in the area, and therefore the colors should increase even more in the coming days.
From the 7th Station toward Mt. Hokuchindake, there is a sudden transition into beautiful autumn leaves. The leaves here are turning about one week earlier than they did last year.
Additionally, the leaves around Mt. Kurodake’s 6th Station are also changing color.
The timing is about two weeks earlier than normal. In fact, the fall foliage has been arriving quite quickly these past few years.
Because the leaves are changing at a speed that I have rarely experienced before, I am finding it difficult to predict how the coloring will progress.
Although the colors are still changing, the mountain is in peak fall foliage season now. I have provided this report to urge those who are planning a trip to the mountain to set out soon. (This report is for Mt. Kurodake only.)
*For mountain information, see: http://sounkyovc.net/trails/kuro/140903kuro.pdf
Photos: The eastern face of Mt. Kurodake and views around the 9th Station Sep. 3