從今年(2021)5月開始lockdow到7月終於從無盡頭到微解封，戶外空間也有條件地開放，心總算也能慢慢解封了。
Owing to the increase of Covid-19 infections transmitted through unidentified sources, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) raised the alert system to national level 3 in Mid-May. Time seemed to pass slowly especially when many people wondered how longer they need to stay in the house. Luckily, the CECC made conditional concession to outdoor activities after the steady decline of transmissions in July. People could finally relax their mind under the relaxed restrictions.
很快地就收到P的同事H邀請，選定一個週日早晨一起走風櫃嘴-擎天岡步道。是為了日後登山計畫暖身，也為了讓我和A建立信心，哈哈。全長6.1公里，確實是輕鬆愜意，有汗水有點心有午休的台北郊山練習：）
We soon received an invitation from Patrick’s colleague H. , planning to visit Fengguizui Qingtiangang Trail on Sunday morning. We took this trip as a warm up before we begin our yearly hiking resolution. The whole distance of the trail is 6.1 km. Please feel free to bring lunchboxes and blankets in your backpack. You may feel extremely comfortable to picnic and take a short nap on the top of the grassland.
一路上風景多變，遼闊山景、沿途芒草、遠眺基隆外海、柳杉造林地（以為來到森林遊樂區）、擎天岡大草原和牛群。驚喜連連，讓人來不及讚嘆啊！
Along the road, we saw continuous mountains decorated by lovely Chinese Silver Grass. The mountains overlooked azure ocean near Keelung. While climbing atop, visitors can see shining spray from the sea on the top of the hill. While moving on, we entered Japanese Cedar Forest. The soft sunshine danced between leaves of canopies accompanied by twittering sound. We were amazed to see the abundant geography landscapes. The view looking back was extremely spectacular.
我們總共走了4小時，也足夠讓人好好沈浸在大自然裡。步道輕鬆，但有具挑戰性，就在陡上極限，讓人快要受不了的時候，接著又能平緩休息。可靜可動，可野餐，可午覺。（睡午覺真的好重要，哈哈）
We spent 4 hours to complete the whole trail, which was long enough for us to immerse in the beauty of nature. Though it’s not hard to take the trip, the versatile terrain could be challenging. As you felt exhausted with continuous steep slopes, plains always appeared at the right moment for climbers to take a rest. We highly recommend people who are in favor of dynamic leisures with a little sweat, picnicking or napping shall give it a try. (Catnapping is too important to be skipped no matter where you are. LOL)
行程與路線｜Itinerary and routes
8:00 抵達 內湖捷運站
8:00–8:30 搭乘Uber到風櫃嘴登山口
> 頂⼭768M（全程25%）> 柳杉造林地（神似阿里山森林遊樂區）
> ⼤草原（經典Windows XP重現）> ⽯梯嶺863M（全程75%）
> ⾦包裡⼤路城⾨> 擎天崗
在遊客中心搭乘公車下山（任一班皆可）
前菜是極限陡上階梯，過了這關主菜立刻連環奉上！
8:00 arrived at Neihu MRT statin
8:00–8:30 arrived at Fengguizui trailhead via Uber
→ Dingshan 768m (a quarter of the trail) → Japanese Cedar Forest (which is similar to Alishan Forest Recreation Area) → Grand Grassland (just like a classic wallpaper of Window XP) → Shitiling 863m (3 quarters of the trail) → Yulu Trail (an ancient pathway for fish traders nearby Jinshan to Shilin) → Qingtiangang Grassland (Visitors can head back down by bus in front of the tourist center. )
Tip: Though the endless stairs can be scary at the beginning, you will soon feel relaxed as seeing impressive views along the road.
一路上風景驚喜連連，還沒花太多力氣，一回頭望去滿滿山景和遼闊天空就收進眼底。
時不時想分心，回頭看一下，原來已經已經走了這麼遠，爬到這麼高了啊！
We got lots of unexpected gifts along the road. Without much effort, we could get a sweeping view of the mountains and sky while overlooking the valley.
“Ah, we’ve already hiked so far away from the entrance.” We felt excited to arrive at a hill without sweating too much.
時不時涼風襲來，總是來得正是時候，沁透肌膚也搖動身邊的芒草，看著心裡都療癒起來，馬上忘記陡上後的小腿炸裂感。
The gentle breeze cooled us from time to time. Chinese silver grass also danced elegantly in the air. We soon forgot calves pain after climbing several steep stairs.
再多往前走一些，到了視野遼闊處，展開眼前的竟然是——基！隆！嶼！
好不可思議，我們身在台北，往右看還是山谷，而往前看就直接到基隆了。一面山、一面海，好幸福！
It’s amazing to see Keelung islet in Taipei! We were cheerful to enjoy the scenery of mountains and the sea simultaneously!
It’s about one forth of the trail, a good moment to take a short break!
路程大約到1/4，剛好路邊的休息區空了出來，成為我們偷懶休息的理由。
自從我們一大早捷運轉乘Uber，上山一路上就看到很多長輩騎自行車上山，甚至都已經快到登山口（就知道他們有多早起），已經夠令人敬佩。但帶著自行車下山又是另一境界了。看著他們一個個動作勤快又輕盈，不覺得苦，也很為他們高興。希望我們老了之後也能一起爬這麼高，走這麼遠。
Although we’re 20-something, we took MRT and Uber to arrive at the entrance of the trail. Can you imagine that many elder in Taiwan cycling to the entrance from the bottom of the mountain or even from their home ?! We admired them very much! They cycled at a brisk pace with brilliant smiling. We hope we can also have the energy to travel any places no matter how old we are!
休息後繼續起身向前。
除了基隆嶼之外，更讓人意想不到的，竟然還有神木區！歐不，是柳杉人工造林地，在筆直的柳杉群裡，真的好夢幻啊！
如果想要短暫脫離市區生活，又覺太平山、阿里山、司馬庫斯路途遙遠，風櫃嘴步道，真是一個最棒、最快速的選擇了！
Besides Keelung Islet, we also amazed by the magnificent sacred giant trees! Tens of Thousands of Japanese Cedar stood firmly. What a fantastic image!
If you wanna quickly escaped from the urban life, visiting this trial can be a wise choice!
我們一群人都還在驚嘆中，這條步道短短幾公里就有多變的景色，太值得了！不知不覺，沒有任何警覺地，我們竟然已完成一半的路程，還尋覓好秘密基地，確認有四周良好的隱蔽，我們決定鋪上野餐墊，理所當然的包場野餐，還能好好的睡個午覺，太美好了！
Besides Keelung Islet, we also amazed by the magnificent sacred giant trees! Tens of Thousands of Japanese Cedar stood firmly. What a fantastic image!
If you wanna quickly escaped from the urban life, visiting this trial can be a wise choice!
戶外野餐清單：
手作鮭魚壽司
阿薩姆茶葉蛋：全聯真空包裝
小潘鳳凰酥
Coffee and Tea：熱水+紅茶包+咖啡
1L 礦泉水
寶礦力水得（粉末包）：減輕重量，真是有智慧啊！
補充熱量小點心
濕紙巾、消毒噴霧
隨身小電扇
塑膠袋：裝垃圾用
Super supportive H & A（感謝神隊友支援！）
Our Lunch List:
- salmon sushi
- tea flavored eggs
- pineapple cake
- black tea
- coffee
Kind Reminder: You many bring one plastic bag to bring all of your trash when leaving.
再來一張H&A手做鮭魚壽司的特寫吧！
Yammy Salmon Sushi!!!
還記得吃飽後在樹下午覺，有大樹遮蔭，吹著涼風，馬上就能入睡。而那種沁涼自然風，伴隨樹葉沙沙聲，更是好眠。是在室內開著冷氣26度，是完全不同境界的層次。
就這樣悠閒的過了一個上午，還得到充足休息的午餐時間，甚至還有午覺時間。但我們路程進度只有50%，哈哈。
We still remembered the gentle breeze cool our face while taking a nap under an old tree. It’s totally different from the one in an air conditioner room!
We spent our whole morning at ease though we only finished half of our journey. LOL
繼續往前的路上，發覺越來越強烈的”牛”味。果不其然，就有4–5隻水牛在旁邊吃草。
While moving on, we noticed strong smelling of “buffalos”! Ah ha, we saw 4 to 5 buffalo chewing grasses.
走著走著，發現景色慢慢加入矮樹和草原。
是大—草—原！
我們在這裡發現了Windows XP的經典桌布，原來就在前往擎天岡的路上啊！
If you kept moving on, you may see bushes and the grassland.
It’s just look like the classic Windows XP wallpaper!
看著腳下的台北市，在山上的我們，心情真好：）
We felt joyful while overlooking Taipei.
經過這片大草原，擎天岡就在不遠處了，H一直鼓勵我們。
Holding an umbrella, you can take a nap at any corner of the grassland.
“Just near here!” Mr. H encouraged us.
很有默契的進度來到75%時，大家又覺得是時候停下來野餐Part II. 結果還成功發現視野良好的野餐地點！我們的周圍有芒草作為遮蔽，後院則是無限山景。
Finally, we finished three forth of the routes. It’s time for pinking round 2.
We took a place surrounding by Chinese Sliver grass. When looking back, we saw breathtaking view of the mountain!
比較狼狽的是，這一帶都沒有大樹遮蔭，陽光曝曬嚴重，必須一直、一直、一直補防曬。（否則真的大面積曬傷）
Kind Reminder: Bring an umbrella with you. There were no trees on the grassland. It’s easy to get sunburn if you forgot to wear sunscreen.
走到這裡其實肉眼已經看得見擎天岡大草原了，甚至可以清楚辨識出被圈養的牛群位置！
We were busy to see clouds and avoid sunburn at the same time. LOL
You can see the final destinaiton, Qingtiangang Grand Grassland from here!
There were some buffalos on the grassland.
哇～～～是牛！看到牛兒們都還健康，真是太好了！
疫情期間沒有被人類干擾的日子肯定過得不錯吧～
WoW! It’s so nice to see vigorous buffalos. Without human disturbance during Covid-19, they can truly have a relaxed life.
其實生活可以很簡單，爬爬山，累了就休息、野餐、睡午覺。或是低頭吃草，務務實實地。
You know what. Life can be simple.
Take a short hiking on weekends. Take a rest while feel tired or just have meals like buffalos without any pressures.
說來幽默，在台北求學4年，加上工作近3年，前後加起來要7年的時間，每次想到陽明山就是海芋季和繡球花季，還不曾想過用走的體會這座山。
這是一條太豐富、太舒服得步道了！我們說好下一次還要再來，聽說秋天黃金芒草更是療癒。希望讀到這裡，也有喚起你走入自然的心，一起上山走走吧。
It’s interesting to notice that it’s my first time to visit this beautiful trail although I have been in Taipei for more than 7 years. (4-year study and 3-year work)
What a abundant and comfortable trail! We made a pact to visit here again, especially for those fantastic golden miscanthus in autumn.
Did you hear a voice? That’s the calling from the nature. Come and enjoy the forest with us!
“Good luck finding the spark.” — Soul (2020 film)
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SPECIAL THANKS : Henry & Annie
AUTHOR: Mavis & Mercy
PHOTOGRAPHY: Patrick
