I'm a Trek Freak . .!!! Are you. . ? ?: Monsoon Escapade: Trek to Kudremukh Peak

Kudremukh is one of the prominent peaks in karnataka,which stands 1896mt above sea level.One of the main Trekking spot in western ghats of karnataka.Kudremukh is located in chikmagalur dist.from bangalore its approximately 350km.After finishing Monsoon Dudhsagar Trek,I got another chance to witness greenery,wetness of western ghats in k'taka through Kudremukh. So,after having only 2 days of rest I quickly booked tickets to KALASA,karnataka. From Kalalsa kudremukh is only 20 odd km. After selecting Kudremukh as our next venture,we quickly googled about the trek.Got some really good information from plenty of blogs and forums.

*Total distance of the trek is 18km from Guide Satish's house.

*camping is not allowed at the peak.

* accommodation available at Bhagavathi nature camp.

*Alternative accommodation available at Guide SATISH's place.

*Forest entry fee should be payed at Kudremukh RFO.

huh.! . . that's enough i think . . . !

We booked night bus to Kalasa which would reach kalasa by early morning 5:30.We contacted our guide SATISH,before leaving Bangalore.He got the permission from RFO and made all necessary arrangements for accommodation at his house. One has to reach Balgal village from kalasa town in order to reach Satish's house.From Balgal Satish's house is 7km.Satish will arrange jeep from Balgal to his home.Balgal is just 10 odd km from Kalsa.Very first private bus is at early morning 6:30.

According to our plan we reached Kalasa by early morning 5:30am.An we boarded the bus to Balgal at exact 6:30am.reached Balgal in less than half an hour.Already jeep was waiting for us.Jeep route to Satish's house is very scenic.Lots of falls,green terrains,coffee tea plantations .. etc . . Road is in very bad condition.It took almost 45 min to cover 7km from Balgal village to Satish's house.

Balagal bus stop.

Entrance to Kudremukh Peak

Early morning view at Balgal

Sathish mane(house)

We started our venture at around 9am.Initial path was easy.Whole trek was filled with greenery,fog and rain as well.After trekking 1 or 1.25 km we reached our first break point.Our guide name was Nagaraju.

First break point

A destination he travels every day..a meticulous guide.. calm, observant, knowledgeable, interactive , flexible n thorough professional. Wrinkled face, Wrinkled cap...but undeterred willpower. 75 and yet very strong.

we called him by the name tata(grand pa). Usual word that refers to old man in kannada.

After taking 10mins of break we headed towards Kudremukh Peak.We reached our next break point which is at a distance of 3.5kms from Satish's house.Still we have to trek 5.5km to reach Kudremukh Peak . .It was already 11:30am when we reached 2nd break point.Ie,we trekked apprx 3.5 km in 2hrs .

After taking few snaps there,we were on the trail to Kudremukh peak.

We took around 10min rest at second break And proceeded towards abandoned LOBOS house.1st abandoned Lobos house is located exactly 4.5km from our guide's place.So,from 1st lobos house peak is 4.5km further. Before reaching Lobos house one can see abandoned paddy fields.These fields are used by Lobo long back. . .Now there is no sign of a single human being.These fields were wet and covered with lush green . .Everywhere green green green and it was treat to watch fog playing with it :)

After abandoned Lobos house the trek gets tougher and tougher. One has to ascent 0.5km, steep enough to gain altitude. Again the path was completely filled with greenery and fog as well.After gaining enough altitude one can enjoy the complete view of Kudremukh range.Alos there is a place called Onti mara(alone tree) where there exist a single big tree in the surroundings.

Abandoned LOBOS house

After crossing Lobos house,next break point was at ONTI MARA(alone tree).Its 5 kms from sathish's house . .ie,still we need to trek 4 kms in order to reach KMP (Kudre Mukh peak).It is a very scenic location from where one can notice entire Kudremukh range. Panoramic view was just splendid

View from Ontimara