Trekkers were busy trying to connect to the so-called civilisation to reassure their near and dear ones of their safe journey into the wilderness. A feeling of self-contentment engulfed me as I sensed that my love for the mountains was sealed in an eternity.įrom the pass as we could see, the tree line had long vanished and the valley was covered with protein rich grass. We had a glimpse of snow-clad mountains around us. We had our packed lunch at noon to refuel our aching limbs for the rest of the journey, sitting beside the moraine edge of the stream. Stone huts of the shepherds charmed us from a distance. A dark green-purple bloom and a host of pink rock jasmine were basking under the deep blue sky. We proceeded along the boulder covered riverbed. Here to our pleasant surprise, we encountered innumerable blue and white anemones and primulas in seeds. A favourite grazing ground for sheep and goats. The path emerged from the wood onto another alp and descended to a river valley. Here sunlight slipped between the tree-tops through the foliage and created a vivid interplay of light and shade on the forest floor. Sound of my pumping heart only came to my ears. The whisper of the fallen leaves, occasional intervention of songbirds broke the eerie of silence. Whereas the upper forests are characterised by their silence. The lower forests that extend upwards to some 8000 ft., are full of insects, flies, and animal life. The difference between lower and upper forest of Kashmir Himalaya must be seen to be appreciated. The rock debris created from frequent rock fall. A forest of fir dominated the domain growing among enormous boulders. People from Srinagar often come here for a day trip to freshen their minds. This was a beautiful camping site known as Sekdur.Īlso read: Maneybhanjan to Lamey Dhura in a Land Rover But already sheep and goats were busy grazing here. The grasses here were less limp and grew little, after the winter snow left it. A warm incense of maple and pine tree resin invaded my nostrils. The path gently climbed through the green glen. It had earned a name as ‘snow surprise’ for the Sonamarg bound tourists. In the east the grey mountain range is poised reassuringly with the hanging Thajiwas glacier. Above the forest remote hills and a blue sky lingered obstinately. A tree more striking than beautiful, with an evil looking crocodile like head had fallen flat on the ground. Beyond the valley was a forest of maple, pine, and silver birch, but not many flowers. Village children cheerfully grinned at us. We passed a small hamlet, populated by shepherds and peasants. Shitkadi is on top of a hill, about 3 km from Sonamarg. At the distance, Jojila pass could be seen beside Amarnath Peak which separates Ladakh region from Kashmir valley. The river with a snaked motion continues its journey westward through Gilgit, Baltistan in Pakistan and finally flows into the Arabian Sea. Sindh is the largest tributary of the Jhelum River, born in the upper western Tibet valley at Mansarovar Lake. The meadow of gold is an alpine valley, perched on the bank of Sindh River, about 75 km from Srinagar. On this trek, our first campsite was at Shitkadi. I thought this moderately difficult trek could be the right choice for both myself, my wife and her couple of close friends. Considering every aspect of my mind and body, I chose the alpine lakes of Kashmir for a trekking mission, anchored by a trekking agency. Now at the twilight zone of my trekking career and as a languid man I am not temperamentally and physically at my best. In India the Kashmir valley is famous for its alpine lakes, unknown to many conventional travellers. Still there are some stunningly beautiful lakes scattered throughout the world, worth visiting. Those who have an appetite for water sports, lakes are not overtly popular as they offer little options for surfing, snorkelling or diving. They would rather go for iconic rivers, famous beaches, and great cities. For most travellers, lakes are not considered prized destinations.
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