Kedarkantha Trek

Details

Distance: 220 km
Time took: 10 – 11 hours
Leave Dehradhun at 6:30 a.m. and get to Sankri at 5:30 p.m. Sankri is a small pretty village. Some shops and dhabas make Sankri. Most trekkers get to Sankri in the evening, which is a good time to watch the sun set over the Greater Himalayan mountain ranges. In the evening sun, the peaks of Swargarohini shine and stand tall over the ridges beyond Sankri.

Details

Altitude: 9,100 feet

Distance: 4 km

Time taken: 5 hours

Take the paved road out of Sankri until you reach Sol village, which is an outpost of Sankri. The road curves sharply after you pass through the village. After about 7-8 minutes, look to your right for a trail that climbs steeply and runs next to a stream. The path that leads to Kedarkantha is this one. When in doubt, watch for a passing local and ask for directions. After entering a pine forest, the trail immediately begins to climb steeply until, ten minutes later, you reach a ridge. The trail widens and evens out on the ridge for almost the remainder of the day.
After an hour, look to your right for a small wooden bridge. Beyond the bridge, about 40–50 metres higher on the trail, is a shepherd's hut that can be seen. You are now one-fourth of the way to Juda-ka-Talab.

The stream you have been hearing eventually catches up with you. Fill up your bottles at this final water source to last until Juda-ka-Talab, which is another 1,000 feet higher and another two and a half hours away.

The trail that runs to your left is clearly visible and forks at the stream, so keep going there instead of taking the one that crosses the bridge. Look for a large tree trunk that has fallen to the ground in a large grove of Maple trees 30 minutes later. The southern edge of the clearing mysteriously draws you into a shadowy forest beyond the tree. You are halfway through your trek to Juda-Ka-Talab at 8,100 feet. To return to the sparse pine and maple forest on its northern edge, continue on the trail through the clearing. The trail ascends quickly through dense oaks through a series of switchbacks before finally coming out in the open over a rising mound to welcome you to the magnificent campsite of Juda-Ka-Talab.

Juda-Ka-Talab's as a campground is almost too ideal. The sizable lake, which was once two lakes but has since been joined as one, is on your left, and the thick edge of an oak and pine forest is on your right. The light hardly ever penetrates the forest because it is so dense. The clearing and campsite of Juda-Ka-Talab are formed by a number of gently undulating mounds. The ridge line, which is high above and to your left, is where the afternoon sun enters. One of the densest pine forests you will ever see completely covers the area, casting shadows everywhere.

Details

Altitude: 11,250 feet to 12,500 feet to 9,100 feet

Distance: 6 km

Time taken: 6 – 7 hours

The exit from Juda Ka Talab is a straightforward, well-lit path. The path ascends to a ridge near the lake's edge. Take a sharp left turn and enter a dense pine forest as you climb higher at the ridge. Even though the lake is not visible, the trail continues to veer left, staying on the slope directly above Juda Ka Talab. The trail quickly gains 800 feet over Juda Ka Talab and, after another 30 minutes, emerges at a ridge. The ridge begins to flatten, mostly in the company of oaks.

As you near the edge of the meadow while still on the ridge, begin another steep climb through the oaks. A further open meadow with a lone shepherd's hut appears on your right after 30 minutes on the ridge (Hut Point). The surroundings are breathtakingly lovely and necessitate a break from the trek. From here to the base of Kedarkantha, you have to ascend less than 1,000 feet. After a brief ascent through the oaks' shade, the trail emerges into a sizable clearing that has a second shepherd's hut on its northern edge. Your first breathtaking 180-degree view of the snow ranges encircling the Kedarkantha summit is behind you.

Under the parched oak trees, the trail reverses course and heads north. The trail gently ascends to another clearing in two stages, typically over snow. You have arrived at the location of the Kedarkantha base camp, which is identified by another crumbling shepherd's hut.A broad arc of white peaks can be seen extending from your left to your right. Among the dozens of others, Bandarpoonch, Swargarohini, Kala Nag, and Ranglana stand out.

Note: It is extremely cold and frequently windy outside. Carry enough wool clothing to keep you warm and dry.

Details

There is no better reason to drag yourself out of your sleeping bag than to watch the sunrise over Kedarkantha Base. From the KK Base, the Kedarkantha peak is clearly visible. Numerous trails lead to the summit. The best way to get to the Kedarkantha summit is to ascend using a series of switchbacks along the northern ridge of the summit. From the Kedarkantha base campsite, the summit can be reached in an hour and a half.

A square arrangement of stones featuring a Trishul that points upward designates the Kedarkantha summit. The summit, which towers over the surrounding area, offers a 360-degree view of Uttarakhand's impressive snow-covered mountain ranges. From the summit, it is easy to see the Gangotri, Yamunotri, Chanshil Pass, and Kinnaur Kailash ranges. Take a different path to your camp after leaving the summit by following Kedarkantha's southern ridge. A simple ridge descent leads to the oak forest below. Many trekkers prefer to ascend Kedarkantha from the southern ridge and descend by the northern side, depending on the amount of snow. The southern ridge has less snow, which makes climbing easier. Choose a route based on the snow, as both take about the same amount of time.

By noon, return to your Kedarkantha base camp location, and no later. Lunch will be served at the campsite upon arrival. As it is the final night at the campground, we will throw a celebration.

Spend the night at the Juda ka Talab campsite.

Details

Descending 2500 feet through dense pine forests following an early breakfast, we will descend from Juda ka Taal towards the Sankri Village.
After arriving in Sankri, we'll stop at our designated hotel to freshen up and have lunch there.
We'll then proceed to Dehradun shortly thereafter. (Arrive in Dehradun in the late evening)
Here, the group will disperse and go their separate ways with hearts full of contentment and minds brimming with memories.