REPORT

With the opening of mountain huts including the Karamatsu-dake Chojo Sanso, Goryu Sanso, Tsugaike Hütte, Hakuba Oike Sanso, and Kazafuki Sanso on 6/21 (Sat.), the full-fledged summer climbing season in the Hakuba area is about to begin. (※ Information on huts in the Ushiro-Tateyama Mountain Range can be found here.) In order to share a glimpse of the current trail conditions, I ventured a bit beyond Happo Pond today. While riding the Grat Quad Lift this morning, I found myself rising above the clouds and was greeted by a brilliant blue sky.
[Trail to Mt. Karamatsu・Happo-ike to Shita-no-Kanba]

At the Shita-no-Kanba area (the grove of birch trees visible in the background), located at 2,160 meters above sea level, the dakekanba (Erman’s birch) trees have begun to take on their summer green. There was no remaining snow along the ridgeline between Happo Pond and Shita-no-Kana. From time to time, clouds rising from the valleys to the north and south reached high enough to block out the sun, but when the sun did break through, it brought an intense, searing heat.
[Trail to Mt. Karamatsu・Happo-ike to Shita-no-Kanba]

Just past Shita-no-Kanba, after crossing a short stretch of lingering snow, the trail leads through dense patches of kumazasa (bamboo grass), which hikers must push through to proceed. Since ticks can sometimes hide in the grass, it’s important to keep your skin covered as you come in contact with the vegetation. Beyond that, the steep ascent along the ridgeline (pictured) was completely free of snow.
[Trail to Mt. Karamatsu・Ridge Route]

Although the summer trail (pictured) has already been opened, it still remains heavily snow-covered. Some hikers were seen attempting to traverse the snowy slopes wearing chain spikes, but the snow surface is both slippery and prone to collapse. For now, it’s safer to stick to the steep ridgeline route shown in the third photo. Either way, if you’re planning to hike as far as the Maruyama Cairn, bringing crampons is highly recommended.
[Trail to Mt. Karamatsu・Shita-no-Kanba to Kami-no-Kanba]

＊There are three free parking lots at the base area. The lot in front of the Kurobishi 3rd Pair lift can accommodate approximately 200 vehicles.
＊At present, the Usagidaira Terrace has the highest elevation restroom available for public use. Due to a water shortage, the restrooms at Happo-ike Sanso are only available to overnight guests or those dining at the lodge.
＊The Kurobishi Forest Road will open to traffic early in the morning on 7/1 (Tue.), though please note it may be closed in the event of heavy rain or other adverse conditions.

[Happo-One Nature Trail Opening Information]
Period … 2025/5/31 (Sat.) – 6/1 (Sun.), 6/7 (Sat.) – 11/3 (Mon.)
Hours … Happo Alpen Line (8am － *Early morning operation starts from 7/12) *Kurobishi Line starts from 7/1
Fees … Happo Alpen Line Roundtrip / Adults JPY3,400, Elementary School Students JPY2,200 → Advance Discount Tickets: Adults JPY3,000, Children JPY1,850! (No need to exchange at the ticket window! You can proceed straight to the gondola.) Kurobishi Line Roundtrip / Adults JPY2,300, Elementary School Students JPY1,400.
(*One preschooler free with each paid adult. The second preschooler will be charged at the normal children’s rate.)

*Hakuba Happo-one will be reported 1－2times a week
*To Visitors Requesting Original Data of Our Photographs.

reported by Snownavi