Visitor Center Report

Today the Visitor Center held a course on “Springtime Climbing: Yusendai.” The course was fully booked.
Yusendai is on a clear plateau located upstream of Ginga-no-Taki Fall. It is situated at an elevation of 950 meters.
Traveling about 3.5 km along the Ginga forest road (a service road linked with the Ginsendai route) will bring one to the Yusendai lookout. From here, views of Mt. Eboshidake, Mt. Kurodake, Mt. Ryoundake, and Mt. Kamikawadake can be enjoyed.
The course included explanations of the Ginga-no-Taki source, the origin of the name “Ginsendai,” and the role of the Ginga forest road; a description of how the dam for Lake Kodaisetsu is located near Yusendai on the left bank of the Ishikari River; and a lecture on the Larix gmelinii var.
japonica that were planted following the “Toya-maru Typhoon.”
Photo: The Daisetsuzan peaks as seen from the lookout Jun. 29

New flowers have begun blooming since the last report.
Flowers are blooming all over the place near the 9th Station and above.
You might find it fun to bring a plant guide and try to remember their names as you walk.
Photo: Newly blooming flowers Jun. 28

The Rhododendron aureum, Sieversia pentapetala, and Primula cuneifolia var. cuneifolia flowers are popping open here and there near Ishimuro.
Although they cannot be described as “communities” yet, the number of flowers is increasing day by day.
The same is happening at Kumonotaira.
However, many snowy gorges still remain alongside the trail, so it will be a little longer before the flowers grow into communities there.
As I mentioned in a previous report, the snowy gorge below the Mt. Hokuchindake junction does not have the undulations normally seen this year. Moreover, even though the snow level at the Akaishi River is falling in more and more places, it is still possible to walk on the snow.
The weather has been extremely unsettled lately.
In particular, we have had wind, rain, and lightning in the afternoon hours.
Even today, there was lighting at the Mt. Kurodake peak from early in the day. Climbers should carefully check weather forecasts and bring all of the gear needed for safe climbing.
Photos: Near Ishimuro (left and center) and near Kumonotaira (right) Jun. 28

From the area around the 8th Station up to the peak, the Weigela middendorffiana have quickly entered their best viewing season.
Last year, their peak season did not begin until July, which is an indication of how early the flowering is occurring this year.
There are still many buds on the plants, so unless some really bad weather comes, we can expect the communities to remain for a while.
The Trollius riederianus and Geranium erianthum f. pallescens are blooming from the area of Mt. Kurodake’s 9th Station. It will not be long before the 9th Station takes on its famed “mountain of flowers” appearance.
Photos: Weigela middendorffiana near the 9th Station Jun. 28

The snow is melting steadily as the temperature rises. However, although parts of the trail have become exposed here and there, the section between the 7th Station and area of the 8th Station can still be described as being completely covered with snow.
Nonetheless, walking on the trail should gradually become easier, as there are fewer areas that require proceeding directly up the slope and undulating snowy gorges are becoming less of an obstacle.
However, the snow is showing signs of deterioration, so care is required, particularly when descending.
Photos: Upper 7th Station (left), upper 8th Station (center), and past the snow depth pole of the 9th Station (right) Jun. 28