So, strike while the iron is hot, make persistent efforts and embark on a journey to Gannan with my mother.
The trip was planned last year, but it didn't come true in the end. Its core is that Zhagulu Town of Zhuoni passes through Daogao Township and Niba Township, passes through Heika Pass, passes through the hinterland of Dieshan Mountain, and finally reaches the mysterious route of Zhagana-Taodie Ancient Road.
The original plan was to add the Zecha Stone Forest in Luqu to the line as a supplement to the Great Ring Road in Gannan. However, when collecting information, it was found that its location was very inaccurate. Some people say that it is under construction and development, and the scenery is average. Coupled with the inappropriate time, it was finally cancelled.
So, this time, the focus is still on returning to Zhaga, showing my mother the Zoige grassland that she has never set foot on.
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June 24, 20 19 (1)
This is destined to be a journey with rain.
At this time, western Sichuan has entered the rainy season. Looking at a series of rain icons on the weather forecast, I can't help but feel sad.
But time waits for no one. If it drags on, in addition to endless landslides, road breaks and construction, what is even more terrible is the crowds swarming in the summer vacation season. So the arrow is on the string and I have to send it.
So, in the dark sky of Chengdu, in the continuous drizzle, I drove the Xiaoji, carrying my mother, and set off for the long-lost grassland in northwest Sichuan.
The plan for the first day is to go south along the journey G2 13, pass through Wenchuan and Maoxian, and reach the Erdaohai Scenic Area in Munigou. Finally, I stayed in Songpan County at an altitude of 2,800 meters, ready to go to the plateau.
Along the ring expressway, I struggled around half of Chengdu in the morning rush hour traffic and headed for Dujiangyan.
There is no sign of improvement in the weather. The mountains in western Sichuan, which can be seen from afar on the Chengdu-Guanzhou Expressway on weekdays, are now all hidden in the fog and have disappeared.
Passing through Zipingpu Tunnel, I once imagined that the sky would clear up instantly like magic, but I was still greeted by a ravine with dark clouds.
The weather is bad, and I can't get up. There was nothing to say all the way, and I was sleepy. I went through the 1 1 long tunnel on Duwen Expressway and arrived at the newly renovated Mianzhu service area, so I had time to have a rest.
Moving on, when we arrived in Wenchuan County, we saw that the Marvin Expressway to Marcand was still not open to traffic.
Yakang Expressway in Ganzi next door has been in trial operation for a long time, and Yaxi Expressway has already become the benchmark of Sichuan Expressway. On the other hand, on Aba side, Marvin Expressway has not been opened to traffic, and there is no news from Wenjiu (Zhaigou) Expressway, which is really strange.
However, this has nothing to do with our trip. We passed Wenchuan County and drove to G2 13, heading south.
Wenchuan is only more than half an hour's drive from Maoxian, where the clouds are clear and the sky is blue. The sun lit the excited flame in our hearts, which made my mother and I get excited.
Excited to excited, still have to eat. After traveling all morning, we are already hungry. We took our mother to eat a bowl of slag noodles in the shop of the kind Dujiangyan proprietress, cheered up and continued to set off.
At this time, the sky has cleared up and the sun shines. We cheered up and marched hopefully in the direction of Songpan, ready to cross the first difficulty of this trip-Diexi Liuhuitou.
Due to two super landslides in Shidaguan Township and Xinmo Town of Songpinggou, this section has been under construction and maintenance. Now, the road has been renovated, standing on the top of the mountain, looking at the blue sky and white clouds and the magnificent Minjiang River Valley, breathing the fresh wind, it feels very comfortable.
After the last crash, the new drone was quickly put in place because of crash insurance. I made my maiden voyage on the bend at the highest point of Diexi River. I hope everything goes well and the man-machine is safe.
Looking from a distance, you can also see the shocking landslide in Xinmo Village. I still remember the scene when I went to Songpinggou. Candles, money and paper were flying everywhere. Two years have passed, but the scars in many people's hearts, like the traces of this landslide, cannot be erased.
Climb all the way over Diexi Haizi, and the altitude rises from 1500m to 2500m. Go ahead and cross the winding Minjiang River Valley.
Perhaps because of the previous heavy rainfall, the Minjiang River, which is usually calm and hot, is as violent as a beast at this time. The water level soared, and I felt that I might be washed ashore by the flood at any time. The river is wrapped in sediment, roaring and pounding the banks, which makes people feel afraid.
On the one hand, the Minjiang River is turbulent, and on the other hand, the road is dilapidated. G2 13, the lifeline connecting northwest Sichuan and Lanzhou, is now like a scarred beast, panting.
In this way, we walked carefully, with a lot of carts along the way and traffic jams from time to time. At this time, we didn't know that road construction and control would cause devastating damage to the subsequent journey.
Stop-and-go, after four o'clock in the afternoon, we arrived at the fork in Anhong Township, turned left here and walked in the direction of Munigou Scenic Area.
First of all, I arrived at Zhaga Waterfall, and I wrote its travel notes the year before last. The scenery is mainly calcified waterfalls and calcified beaches, nothing special. Time is limited, so we went straight to Erdaohai, the essence of Munigou.
At the scenic spot, the weather began to deteriorate again, and cumulonimbus clouds piled up in the distance. Our expressions are as ugly as the sky, but there is nothing we can do.
When I arrived at the scenic spot, I still saw this humble door, and the crooked fonts were confusing. It's hard to imagine that there is a beautiful scenery hidden in it.
After buying the ticket, just stepping into the scenic spot, the rain began to fall, which made people feel cold. While comforting ourselves with "all here", we walked along the plank road to the depths of the scenic spot.
As expected, on a rainy day without light, the lake and the sky were gloomy and lifeless. The original clear lake water also lost its transparency and became lifeless.
Countless raindrops broke the tranquility of the lake, splashing ripples on the originally mirror-like water surface, as if countless creatures were breathing.
After the first few appetizers, we came to Yuhu, one of the most beautiful Haizi in the scenic spot. Although it is not as beautiful as Jiuzhaigou, it is still very valuable for a ticket to the scenic spot in 70 yuan.
At this time, God suddenly gave us a ray of sunshine, which made people shine at the moment. The light shines from the lake to the bottom of the water, as if the neon lights were electrified, as if the lights were turned on late in the dark night, rendering the whole lake into a bi-colored emerald.
There is rain on one side and sunshine on the other. We can't ask for more, so we appreciate the gift of nature.
Moving on, you come to Toudaohai, where dissolved carbonate ions make the seawater look charming blue. Even if it rains, it is deeply intoxicating.
At this time, the rain stopped slightly. I quickly took out the drone and completed the task of aerial photography of Erdaohai.
According to my mother who has been to Jiuzhaigou, Haizi in Jiuzhaigou is far more beautiful than here. Jiuzhaigou will open again this year 10. I don't know when I will have a chance to see its true face. I don't know what kind of shock it will be then.
But compared with Jiuzhaigou, which is crowded with people, Munigou is better than clean and empty. My mother and I walked on the wooden plank road and walked through the silent virgin forest. The rain stimulated the breathing of these ancient trees, and the negative oxygen ions released made people feel happy.
Liuying Lake, the leaves are green in summer, and the reflection melts in the green lake, which makes the whole picture less contrast and reminds people of the golden leaves in autumn.
I remember that late autumn afternoon two years ago, I walked alone in this picturesque place, feeling the magic of nature and enjoying the feast of light and shadow in front of me.
In fact, there is nothing wrong with rainy days. In this gloomy sky and raindrops, these trees are still bright green and full of vitality.
The splash caused by those raindrops forms a little flickering white light on the lake, like shining stars, and forms a bright galaxy with the winding trees and aquatic plants at the bottom of the deep blue.
Yes, what's there to regret? Travel is to be happy, to enjoy and explore the beauty of different seasons. Even if the sky is gloomy, nature still exudes unique charm.
Walking to the Caohai at the end of the scenic spot, taking advantage of the rain, the drone rose here to complete the last flight today.
The sky is getting darker and darker, and thick clouds are accumulating, but for us, all this is no longer important. Breathing fresh air and seeing the vibrant nature, happiness and freedom are enough.
Every trip is an encounter, and every scenery is a kind of fate. These are unique memories. What kind of scenery can be seen with what kind of heart.
At six o'clock in the afternoon, leave the scenic spot and cross the Munigou tunnel. Songpan county is just around the corner.
Although starting from Chengdu, you can drive to Zoige (8 hours) or even langmusi (10 hour) in one breath. Songpan, which is 6 hours' drive and 2,800 meters above sea level, is more suitable as an adaptive residence in front of Gaoyuan, which can effectively reduce altitude sickness caused by sudden altitude.
Erdaohai in the rain, as the beginning of the trip, brings us an emerald dream. And tomorrow, we will run on the vast grassland.