Trail Introduction
Mt. Shimen is the easiest hike out of the high altitude Hehuan mountain range. Though it rises 3,237 m above sea level, Mt. Shimen Trail is constructed out of planks and stone steps, and ascending mostly parallel to the highway. From the trail entrance it takes only about half an hour to reach the peak. Doubleback, the same path is taken to descend.
Terrain
Mt. Shimen's east side is steep, overlooking the Liwu river basin. Its west side, with more gentle slopes, features the Hehuan River, one of the sources of Dajia River, making Mt. Shimen the watershed for both rivers.
Ecosystem
Although Yushan cane borders the trail, Yushan rhododendron (Rhododendron pseudochrysanthum Hayata), Yushan Juniper (Juniperus squamata Lamb. var. morrisonicola), Fomosana juniper, Kawakami firs (Abies kawakamii (Hayata) Ito) and many more plant species can also be observed. Among the Yushan cane, or on the gravel slopes and bare rocks, a plethora of small plants and flowers grow as well. Yushan cane forests most commonly seen plants include bigseed swertia(Swertia macrosperma), Japanese false hellebore (Veratrum formosanum Loesen. f.), goldenrod, [(Solidago virgaurea L. var. leiocarpa (Benth.) A. Gray )] etc. On the gravel and rock, Gentiana scabrida (Gentiana scabrida Hayata), Alishan Gentiana (Gentiana arisanensis), Taiwan ladybells (Adenophora morrisonensis Hayata ssp. morrisonensis), Morrisona Sedum (Sedum morrisonense Hayata), Borneo Winter Green (Gaultheria itoana Hayata), Nepalese Anaphalis [(Anaphalis nepalensis Spreng.) Hand.- Mazz.], Pearly everlasting (Anaphalis morrisonicola Hayata), Taiwan Ediv (Leontopodium microphyllum Hayata) Single Flower Cranesbill (Geranium hayatanum Ohwi), Taiwan Eyebright (Euphrasia transmorrisonensis Hayata), etc., are found. During summer these vivid flowers blossom, creating a beautiful and educational experience of high elevation flora.
First Stop: Yushan (High Mountain) Juniper
Yushan juniper, one of the world's longest living tree species, grow prodigiously along ridge lines, forest boundaries and even peaks higher than 3900 m. It is one of the dominant plant species that grow above the tree line. Growing incredibly slowly, they increase in diameter an average of 0.0438 cm annually until reaching 300 years old. Thereafter, growth slows down even more. But don't underestimate any of them; some are hundreds of years old on average, and others even thousands of years old! The majesty of these humble-looking trees is something to be appreciated.
Second Stop: the Golden Weasel (Mustela sibirica taivana) and Taiwan least weasel (Mustela formosanus)
One of Hehuan area's more common mammals, Golden Weasels inhabit forests and grasslands at elevations of 1500-3500 m. From head to torso they are about 25-33 cm long. Small, quick, clever and bold: they often forage for food in mountain lodges at night.
Third Stop: Kenanguan
At Kenanguan, one can barely stand properly against the strong gusts of wind blowing over the rugged terrain. Located on the saddle of a watershed separating two rivers, the dramatic erosion from these rivers formed the narrow ridge that the highway is built on.
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