Following the Snow Country Trail from Gunma to Niigata, I managed to snag a sweet campsite with spectacular views down into the valley, only about an hour short of the pass. From this point the trail levels off as it passes one of the Mountain huts and its all downhill, literally. On the Niigata side, the SNC criss-crosses its way down into the valley. At this point in the season, the Niigata side was blooming with summer flowers. As I descended into the lush green native beech forests I could see the neighboring peak of Makihata, rising over the valley.
C. Rio @matthew.shewchuk
Based out of Minakami, where I work as a canyoning guide. I love hiking and am always looking to the skies for good weather.
