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A GUlDE TO THE SUMMlT TRAlL ABOUT THIS GUIDE This guide was produced for non-commercial purposes and it is just some information about the climb to the summit of Mt. Kinabalu. The information on page 1 to 11 comes from a paper brochure that I get from Sabah Parks. The pictures were scanned and the text were scanned and OCRed. I try to be as accurate as posible with respect to the original brochure. I do not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided in the brochure neither does the Sabah Parks officials. It is only provided for the convinience of people who likes parks, outdoors, mountain climbing, etc. This web site is not an official Sabah Parks web site neither is it associated with Sabah Parks. No personal profits are made from this page. I just put it here because I think it would be a waste to keep such a cool brochure to myself. We have tried to illustrate the plants and animals you are most likely to see, as well as others of special interest. Many species do not have familiar common names, and in these cases, we have coined a name that is, we hope, descriptive or at least, obvious. Universally-used scientific names have also been included. lNTRODUCTlON The Kinabalu Park is famous the world over for the highest mountain in South-East Asia - Mt. Kinabalu, a Vast jagged granite massif rising to 4,101m. (13,455ft.). The mountain is the focal point of the whole Park which covers an area of 754 sq km (291 sq miles), and includes vegetation types ranging from the rich lowland dipterocarp zone through the montane oak. rhododendron, and conifer forests to the alpine meadow plants and stunted bushes of the summit zone an area that probably has one of the richest flora in the world. The Headquarters is situated on the southern boundary, at an elevation of 1,524m (5,000 ft). Visitor accommodation, restaurants and an exhibit centre are found here as well as the Park offices. It is only a 2 hour drive from Sabah's capital of Kota Kinabalu on a good sealed road and the Park is an ideal spot for day visitors who simply want to get away from it all and enjoy the cool air, as well as those who wish to stay for a few days and climb the mountain or explore the forest trails.  |
If you are a first-time visitor it is well worth your while to go to some of the free visitor programmes organised by the Park. Regular evening slide/film shows and guided trail walks
in the mornings are given by the Park Naturalists at the Park Headquarters. Many people who visit the Park come to climb the mountain, a tough Walk that takes a minimum of two days. But why not take your time over it! The climb can be made far more rewarding and enjoyable if you use three days, with two nights at a mountain hut. This way you can take the time to look at what you pass - the birds, the animals, the rocks and the soil, the views and the almost incredibly rich diversity of plant life belonging to one of the most ancient vegetations in the world.  THE SUMMlT TRAIL To reach the start of the Summit Trail climbers must drive or walk the 4kms (2 1/2 miles) of the Kamborongoh Road that leads from Mt. Kinabalu Park Headquarters to the PublicWorks Department's Power Station at 1,829m (6,000ft). The forest on the steep ridge opposite the Power Station is still the montane oak-forest that surrounds the Park Headquarters. Kinabalu has some of the richest oak forests in the world with over 40 different oak species recorded. Here the Summit Trail itself starts, marked at intervals of 5 chains (50 chains = 1 km.; 80 chains = 1 mile), leading past the Power Station and following the crest of a narrow ridge that dips down onto the main slopes of Kinabalu itself. A little further on, there is a waterfall where waterbottles can be filled. This is known as Carson's Falls, named after the first Warden of this Park. Liverworts and mosses grow luxuriantly in the fine spray of water. A Common moss is Dawsonia, one of the largest in the world, that can reach 3ft (1 m) in (8,000ft).  Click to visit the author homepage
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