Things to Do in Korea: Surak Mountain Streams

For soldiers stationed on Camp Stanley in Uijongbu, Suraksan is the mountain they see towering over their camp every day and that is about it.  However, this mountain is actually more than just something to look at while walking around on post.  The mountain also offers a wealth of hiking opportunities as well as a destination to escape the summer time heat by lounging in the mountain streams and waterfalls flowing down the mountain literally right outside the Camp Stanley gates that few people stationed on the camp even know about.

Reaching the stream is an easy walk up a beautifully forested hillside on a well maintained trail:

The trail leads directly to the stream and it is up to you how far up the mountain you want to go to find the right spot to chill out at.  There are a few rock pools to wade in as well as some slow moving streams:

Along with some fast moving streams:

Some of these streams if the conditions are right can actually serve as a natural waterslide that I have tried out on a few occassions:

If lounging in the water all day and drinking a few beverages of your choice is not your thing, you could always hike further up the mountain to get views overlooking Camp Stanley by using the extensive trail network on the mountain:

You can even go for the summit of the mountain if you are so inclined:

If you do hike further up the mountain make sure you bring plenty of water and some good hiking shoes with you because it is a pretty steep climb.  Additionally bring a jacket because weather can often be unpredictable at higher altitudes. 

No matter what you choose to do on the mountain please don’t do what some other soldiers have done and write grafitti on the mountain:

This grafitti remains long after you are gone and other people are stuck having to look at it.  Additionally pick up any trash you leave when on the mountain.  I have had to pick up beer cans and other items before that I know soldiers probably left due to them being American beer brands that are bought from on post.  I know many Korean picnickers pollute the mountain as well, but soldiers shouldn’t take that same attitude as well.  Have a good time on the mountain, but leave it better than you found it. 

To reach the trail to the stream, exit Camp Stanley at the Stanleyville gate and immediately take a right and follow the camp’s fenceline.  The trail you will come across will take you to the creek and further up the mountain.  I have highlighted on the above map about how far up the mountain the creek goes.  It is up to you how high up the mountain you want to go.  Additionally you can see the various trails on the mountain.  If you want to go further up the mountain or even reach the summit from Camp Stanley, stick to these trails.  Trying to reach the summit of this mountain by breaking bush is extremely dangerous due to the steepness of the mountain.  I recommend hiking up one of the trails and then taking the trail to the north and towards Uijongbu.  It is beautiful walk and you can easily grab the bus back to the camp.

For more information you can read my prior posting on Surak Mountain here, as well as viewing additional pictures of the mountain in my Flickr photo album here.