Jiaoxi: Linmei Shipan Trail

July 8, 2012 — Linmei Shipan Trail, Jiaoxi

Ever since the Hsuehshan Tunnel opened, the drive from Taipei to Yilan has taken only about 50 minutes. Yilan practically became our family’s backyard for weekends and holidays ^.^

This time, we brought Lisa and Belle to Linmei Shipan Trail in Jiaoxi. Linmei Shipan is the name of the area, and Jiaoxi Golf Course is nearby. From our roadside parking spot, we followed a small path along the edge of the course for about ten minutes before reaching the trail entrance.

The path leading toward the entrance of Linmei Shipan Trail — The short approach followed the edge of the golf course.

The one-way trail makes a shape similar to the Chinese character ㄇ: it enters the forest on the right, passes through a stream valley, and emerges on the left.

The forest trail near the entrance of Linmei Shipan Trail — The trail entered the forest before looping around the valley.

Even on such a hot day, walking beneath the trees was quite comfortable.

A shaded section of Linmei Shipan Trail — Tree cover made the hot afternoon much more comfortable.

After roughly 500 metres, we entered the stream valley…

A summer view in the stream valley along Linmei Shipan Trail — The heat seemed to fade as soon as we reached the valley.

Water in the stream valley along Linmei Shipan Trail — We had reached the stream valley.

The best family activities in summer are staying home with the air conditioner on—or going to a department store…for the air conditioning ~.~'"

But today we finally decided this could not go on, so we took Lisa and Belle outside. Breaking a sweat is supposed to be good for you…

Lisa and Belle spending time outdoors on Linmei Shipan Trail — We left the air conditioning behind for an afternoon outdoors.

The children enjoying their outing on Linmei Shipan Trail — Today’s healthy objective: work up a proper sweat.

I asked the kids, “Did you sweat a lot today?”

A child taking a break after playing in the stream valley — When asked whether she had worked up a sweat, the answer came quickly.

Lisa said yes…she sweated the most while playing in the water…?!

Lisa bending down to play beside the stream — Lisa said she sweated most while playing in the water…?!

Of course she did—she had spent the whole afternoon bent over, trying to scoop up fish with a bag @.@'"

A child bending over the stream while trying to catch fish — Bent over the water, she searched intently for tiny fish.

A child using a bag to scoop for fish beside the trail — A simple bag kept the children busy beside the stream.

Children playing in the stream valley along Linmei Shipan Trail — By then, the hike had clearly turned into a water-play afternoon.

Family water play in the valley along Linmei Shipan Trail — Walking and playing through the valley made the afternoon fly by.

We followed the valley for another 500 metres or so, walking and playing in the water along the way…

A waterside view along the valley section of Linmei Shipan Trail — There was still time for a little more water play before leaving the valley.

Then the trail returned to the hillside.

The hillside section of Linmei Shipan Trail after leaving the valley — The valley section ended as the trail climbed back onto the hillside.

Another 500 metres brought us back to the entrance. The entire trail was only about 1,500 metres long, but with children along, it could easily fill a whole afternoon @.@'"