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Day Hikes North
Alpine Lakes Region from Haba Village These day hikes start from Haba Village (哈巴村), situated at an elevation of 2,650 meters. High points range between 3,050 and 4,100 meters. Please read the explanation of hiking times, distances, altitudes and rating levels. |
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1. Yi Village
Region: Alpine Lakes Region Itinerary: Haba Village—Yi Village Duration: 3½ hours round-trip Altitude in Meters: Start 2,650. Destination 3,050 Elevation gain: 400 meters Rating: Easy+ Summary: The Yi Village Route (彝家村路线) takes you to a hamlet where the village women wear ethnic clothing, including the massive headpiece that is unique to Yi minority culture. |
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2. Pusa Mountain
Region: Alpine Lakes Region Itinerary: Haba Village—Pusa Mt Summit Duration: 4 hours round-trip Altitude in Meters: Start 2,650. Destination 3,060 Elevation gain: 420 meters Rating: Moderate Summary: Pusa Mountain (普萨山) is a small peak located 2 kilometers southeast of Haba Village. From the south end of the village, traverse meadows and forest paths to a 3,000-meter high ridge situated southwest of the summit. Then, make the final ascent toward the views on top, with short stretches of easy bushwhacking. |
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3. Hongtupo Meadow
Region: Alpine Lakes Region Itinerary: Haba Village—Longwangbian Village—Hong Tu Po Meadow Duration: 3½ hours round-trip Altitude in Meters: Start 2,650. Destination 3,100 Elevation gain: 450 meters Rating: Moderate Summary: This hike follows the Base Camp Route (大本营路线). Hongtupo Meadow (红土坡坪) offers grand views of the area, from the depths of the Jinsha River (金沙江) valley in the east, to massive Gan Mountain (干山) in the north. |
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4. Daqila Shelter
Region: Alpine Lakes Region Itinerary: Haba Village—Longwangbian Village—Hongtupo Meadow—Xiaoqila Meadow—Daqila Shelter Duration: 6 hours round-trip Altitude in Meters: Start 2,650. Destination 3,600 Elevation gain: 950 meters Rating: Moderate Summary: Follow the Base Camp Route to reach Daqila Shelter (大七拉小屋), deep in the woods high above Hongtupo Meadow. Mountain climbers on their way to Base Camp (大本营) stop here for lunch. A caretaker serves 20 RMB noodles from an enormous pot during the high season, in the first week of May and October. A spring just above the shelter provides water. |
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5. Jianshan Waterfall
Region: Alpine Lakes Region Itinerary: Haba Village—Black Boulder Junction—Jianshan Waterfall Duration: 5½ hours round-trip Altitude in Meters: Start 2,650. Destination 3,500 Elevation gain: 850 meters Rating: Moderate Summary: The Jianshan Route (尖山路线) takes you to the 40-meter high Jianshan Waterfall (尖山瀑布), the only falls on the north side of Haba Snow Mountain (哈巴雪山). |
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6. Black Lake
Region: Alpine Lakes Region Itinerary: Haba Village—Jianshan Waterfall—Black Lake Distance: 20 km round-trip Duration: 10 hours round-trip, including one hour at the lake Altitude in Meters: Start 2,650. Destination 4,100 Elevation gain: 1,450 meters Rating: Extreme Summary: This hike from Haba Village to Black Lake (黑海) and return in one day is feasible. However, one must be superbly fit and acclimatized to altitude. Even then, the journey is long and exhausting. Riding a mule is a reasonable alternative. The journey on foot requires a 7 A.M. start. Plan five hours for the hike to the lake via the Jianshan Route, one hour for photos and exploring, and return to Haba Village by 5 P.M. Hiring a guide is recommended. |