Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Ed Provencher]

I'd like to do a mountain climb in the east during the time when the tree leaves are at their peak color. I'm thinking October 25-26 will be a good weekend... what do you all think?

[sojourner1]

Oh yes, the leaves are changing now that the weather is getting cool. Be sure to dress in layers and have a warm coat handy as well. It's cool enough to need a coat in the mornings and evenings, but you can usually shed it in the early afternoon if a sunny day.

The leaves are changing, but many needle trees will still appear green as they don't have leaves. I went to Seoraksan on October 3rd and it was absolutely beautiful, but the weather was just nothing less than perfect that day. There was a log jam of people going up to Ulsanbawi rock. On the way down around 5PM, hundreds more were still hiking up to Ulsanbawi rock with no concern of it getting to dark to see or room to camp.

It's quite easy to get out to Gangwondo from Seoul. You just take a bus to Gangneung from Dong Seoul bus terminal next to the big Technomart building. It takes about 3.5 hours to Gagneung and 1 more hour to Seokcho with buses running hourly. The going gets slow if you go to more rural or small town areas than that as the roads are curvy and hilly with very slow speeds and less frequent buses. It takes me almost 2 hours to go 70 kilometers on bus routes not on toll highways. Would be cool to get a in car with some friendly people and take a look around.

[RACETRAITOR]

Wait for the yellow dust to settle down a bit first. Hopefully it'll be cleared up by then, but seriously delay it if the sky isn't clear.

[schwa]

Yellow dust is exclusively a spring phenomenon. If the sky in Seoul is off-color now, well thats just Seoul. Meanwhile, the skies & vistas in Gangwondo are dependably crystal clear this time of year.

The travel info above is a bit off too. If you want to go to Sokcho from Seoul there are frequent direct buses. Best bet is an intercity bus from the terminal in Dongseoul. They usually travel a more scenic more northerly route (via the Misiryeong Tunnel) & the trip is faster, cheaper, & just as comfortable as express buses out of Gangnam.

On a good day, takes 3 hours. Maybe a bit slower on account of the season.

Because yes there will be tons of Korean tourists coming to gawk at Seoraksan. But it really is spectacular.

Personaly, I'm happy to absorb a microcosm of fall beauty -- a single tree in a small familiar park at its peak of color on a fine sunny afternoon -- & call my seasonal duty done.

Something to be said for mountainsides of color too though.

[MrRogers]

It seems really polluted in the southern mountains today?

What/where is the thick haze from? China?

[RACETRAITOR]

[sojourner1]

Yea, it's hazy as heck, especially in the mornings, but it doesn't seem all that humid.

[Tblake]

I read some other previous posts about seoraksan and would really appreciate some info more relevant to this next weekend, Oct 25 and 26.

I'm planning to head there this weekend. I'd like to make it to Seoraksan Sat morning/afternoon, by taking a bus from Dongseoul. I would go with a group of probably 5. We'd like to hike up and stay at the shelter, then hike down the next morning.

My question regards the shelter. Should/do I need to make reservations? And if so, is there a website or a telephone number I can contact in English?

And of less priority, what are some other good hiking spots or even towns that are cool to check out for the foliage?

Thanks MUCHO!

[indytrucks]

Seoraksan turns into a parking lot this time of year.

I'd personally suggest Naejangsan for the autumn colours.

Be prepared to share the beauty of 'nature' with about 8 million other people.

[farrepatt]

I went to Seoraksan this past weekend hoping to beat the crowds and wouldn't recommend going this coming weekend unless you don't mind lots and lots of people. The park is really beautiful (though not much colour as of last weekend), but it was crazy crowded. The trails were absolutely packed with people. It was like a shopping mall at Christmas and there was about a 4 hour wait on the cable car.

Last year I went to Namhansanseong (Seoul's southern fortress) and thought it was really beautiful. It was crowded getting in, but I didn't feel it was overly crowded on the trails. It's a pretty easy day trip from the Seoul area too. It definitely doesn't have the views of Seoraksan, but the colours were really nice.

[steroidmaximus]