A snow flower hike is a special experience you can only enjoy in winter. Snow flowers, also known as "sanggodae," occur when moisture in the air freezes on tree branches, blooming like flowers. Since sanggodae melts when temperatures rise above freezing, it can usually be seen in high-altitude areas over 1,000 meters above sea level. Fortunately, Korea has several mountains that meet this requirement.
Last Saturday, I visited Mount Taegisan, which spans the counties of Hoengseong, Hongcheon, and Pyeongchang in Gangwon Province. A group of regular mountain hiking club members chartered a bus and departed from Seoul at 6:30 a.m., reaching the entrance of the trail after a three-hour drive. Mount Taegisan, standing 1,261 meters high, offers a moderate hiking course, beginning at 980 meters in elevation and utilizing a paved road as the trail. The round-trip hike is approximately 12 kilometers and takes about four hours.
Preparing for a snow flower hike requires special gear. You’ll need high-cut hiking boots, gaiters, and crampons. It's important to wear functional hiking clothes that wick sweat and block wind, along with warm accessories such as a hat, gloves, and a neck warmer. Be sure to pack portable food and water for the hike.
As you walk along the snow-covered trail adorned with blooming sanggodae, the crisp mountain breeze may be chilly, but it’s invigorating. Compared to summer hiking, winter hiking is less exhausting since the snow acts as a cushion underfoot and you sweat less.
The higher you ascend, the more intricate and awe-inspiring the snow flowers become, turning the landscape into a breathtaking masterpiece. A snow flower hike is a unique delicacy reserved for the healthy and adventurous. Despite the cold, you'll find yourself sweating from the effort of the climb. Food enjoyed at the summit tastes particularly delicious and deeply satisfying.
Commemorative photos taken with the stunning snow flower backdrop serve as special mementos of the hike. Snow flower hikes are typically possible from January to February. After finishing the four-hour hike, you’ll descend to a nearby restaurant, where the meal feels like the best feast of your life. Once the meal is done and you board the bus, the gentle exhaustion from the day’s trek lulls you into a deep sleep. By the time you arrive back in Seoul at dusk, you’ll feel light and rejuvenated, filled with energy to take on the week ahead.
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