Greetings Wanderers….
Monsoons are back… and so are We.
There have been few treks over the past year at different locations, but there was a need to explore/ visit new places. One such trek on my mind was Ulhas Valley/ Canyon valley trek.
This is the place situated in the midst of the scenic Khandala area.
For quite a few days, I was continuously gauging the route to reach this place. Using google maps and other modes, we finally decided to implement our “strategic plan”.
It was estimated that this year there will be moderate to heavy rains, but till 22nd June… no hint of rainfall. Small drizzles were what we saw.
We were almost on the verge of changing the plan, but then decided to stick with it.
To our surprise, there were heavy showers starting Friday night, the entire Saturday till Sunday morning.
We thought our trek would be washed away.
On Sunday 25th June, the day of trek our first setback was – Indrayani express running late by 20-25 minutes and we had to board the return train towards khandala.
Another setback – the general compartment at thane was jampacked and many were not able to board. you can imagine what will be the condition at Kalyan. So we boarded the Reservation compartment.
Glad we were atleast able to stand near the door. Luckily we met our fellow trekmates who had been with us at Padargad in the month of May.
Finally reached Lonavala by 8.45am. had breakfast at a nearby hotel which was ok ok and carried packed lunch with us as there is no scope for food at the valley.
We waited for the next train to arrive and finally boarded Coimbatore express which halted at khandala for just seconds… and in those few seconds we had to pull out all our participants from the jam packed train. Luckily all were alighted unharmed.
aisi time pe ek group photo to bant hai
We did an introduction round at the platform itself and started towards the valley.
Google maps, blogs and other media showed a clear path from St. Mary’s Villa, but to our Horror….. that area of plateau was a private property now and trespassers would be prosecuted.
NOW WHAT…..???? we were lost, our minds were unable to think anyway out. An old vendor lady saw our despair and suggested a “CHOR RAASTA”,
Ab CHOR ho ya POLICE… route to dhoondhna hi hai. And whoa…. We found it.
We divided the team into a batch of 5 people each and asked them not to click any pictures and move out ASAP, as we didn’t want to encounter the risk of getting caught.
Descending from this plain, we reached a lower ground flat plateau from where we had to search the route.
The view of kune falls just awestruck us.
We searched for a while for the narrow passage that leads down the valley,
the entire route is created by fallen boulders and rocks cut by water flow.
For almost an hour we kept descending till we reached the rappelling point which was around 15-20 ft.
The group was enjoying the pleasant weather and clicking pictures, as rain had taken a break for sometime
We reached a point where there was a good waterfall and people thought of spending some time here. So we had lunch there, enjoyed in the waterfall and by 2.30pm we decided to move back.
Unfortunately 2-3 guys had to part with their beloved shoes as their ‘SOLES’ were worn off. We tried our Indian juggad to keep them along atleast till lonavala.
Again reaching the rappelling point, everyone was waiting for their turn, but to our surprise all of them climbed up so quickly. we had carried rope for security, but hardly few used it.
Once everyone was atop…. Me, nilesh and Gaurav decided to have a small break for 15 mins and kept admiring the natural beauty Sahyadri has.
Those 15 mins were like “being in Heaven”
When we reached back atop, most of the group members had already changed their clothes and were ready for a nice photoshoot session.
Everyone was busy clicking pictures here and there. Around 5pm we decided to move back to khandala station.
On the way we had wadapav and garma garam chai from a handcart vendor. Most of us tried to catch Deccan express, Udyan express and koyna express.
Those who managed to catch got into respective trains.
This was our first trek for the season, but got awesome response from participants and were willing to join us for upcoming treks.
Stay tuned for more such treks for 2017.
yours Wandering Trekker
Sumya - the Wildwanderer
Monsoons are back… and so are We.
There have been few treks over the past year at different locations, but there was a need to explore/ visit new places. One such trek on my mind was Ulhas Valley/ Canyon valley trek.
This is the place situated in the midst of the scenic Khandala area.
For quite a few days, I was continuously gauging the route to reach this place. Using google maps and other modes, we finally decided to implement our “strategic plan”.
It was estimated that this year there will be moderate to heavy rains, but till 22nd June… no hint of rainfall. Small drizzles were what we saw.
We were almost on the verge of changing the plan, but then decided to stick with it.
To our surprise, there were heavy showers starting Friday night, the entire Saturday till Sunday morning.
 |
| Rain drenched Koyna express and Pune bound EMU |
We thought our trek would be washed away.
On Sunday 25th June, the day of trek our first setback was – Indrayani express running late by 20-25 minutes and we had to board the return train towards khandala.
Another setback – the general compartment at thane was jampacked and many were not able to board. you can imagine what will be the condition at Kalyan. So we boarded the Reservation compartment.
Glad we were atleast able to stand near the door. Luckily we met our fellow trekmates who had been with us at Padargad in the month of May.
Finally reached Lonavala by 8.45am. had breakfast at a nearby hotel which was ok ok and carried packed lunch with us as there is no scope for food at the valley.
We waited for the next train to arrive and finally boarded Coimbatore express which halted at khandala for just seconds… and in those few seconds we had to pull out all our participants from the jam packed train. Luckily all were alighted unharmed.
aisi time pe ek group photo to bant hai
We did an introduction round at the platform itself and started towards the valley.
Google maps, blogs and other media showed a clear path from St. Mary’s Villa, but to our Horror….. that area of plateau was a private property now and trespassers would be prosecuted.
NOW WHAT…..???? we were lost, our minds were unable to think anyway out. An old vendor lady saw our despair and suggested a “CHOR RAASTA”,
Ab CHOR ho ya POLICE… route to dhoondhna hi hai. And whoa…. We found it.
We divided the team into a batch of 5 people each and asked them not to click any pictures and move out ASAP, as we didn’t want to encounter the risk of getting caught.
Descending from this plain, we reached a lower ground flat plateau from where we had to search the route.
 |
| Kune Falls |
We searched for a while for the narrow passage that leads down the valley,
the entire route is created by fallen boulders and rocks cut by water flow.
For almost an hour we kept descending till we reached the rappelling point which was around 15-20 ft.
The group was enjoying the pleasant weather and clicking pictures, as rain had taken a break for sometime
We reached a point where there was a good waterfall and people thought of spending some time here. So we had lunch there, enjoyed in the waterfall and by 2.30pm we decided to move back.
Unfortunately 2-3 guys had to part with their beloved shoes as their ‘SOLES’ were worn off. We tried our Indian juggad to keep them along atleast till lonavala.
Again reaching the rappelling point, everyone was waiting for their turn, but to our surprise all of them climbed up so quickly. we had carried rope for security, but hardly few used it.
Once everyone was atop…. Me, nilesh and Gaurav decided to have a small break for 15 mins and kept admiring the natural beauty Sahyadri has.
Those 15 mins were like “being in Heaven”
When we reached back atop, most of the group members had already changed their clothes and were ready for a nice photoshoot session.
 |
| Manil Trying his selfies |
 |
| The Waghmare brothers- Chetan and Pankaj |
 |
| 3 musketeers |
 |
| all set for photosessions |
 |
| Love is in the Air and Valley |
 |
| Nagercoil express ascending the Bhor ghat near Monkey hill |
 |
| A group photo |
 |
| The WildWanderers |
Everyone was busy clicking pictures here and there. Around 5pm we decided to move back to khandala station.
On the way we had wadapav and garma garam chai from a handcart vendor. Most of us tried to catch Deccan express, Udyan express and koyna express.
Those who managed to catch got into respective trains.
This was our first trek for the season, but got awesome response from participants and were willing to join us for upcoming treks.
Stay tuned for more such treks for 2017.
yours Wandering Trekker
Sumya - the Wildwanderer
Excellent Writeup.Loved it.The imagery is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteWonderful writeup Sumeet 👌
ReplyDelete