Janki Chatti is a big
village with lots of Dharamshalas. The road has reached this place.
The Yamnotri
temple.
We found plenty of signs
of previous camping at this spot, the vital thing missing was water. We had
to fetch water from a stream flowing nearly a Km away. Though a scenic spot
but best avoided for camping.
After that camp is the
most tricky part of the trek. Here you have to climb up a portion offering few
safe hand and foot holds. The climb ahead is over easy ground.
The camp after the climb can be located quite near to the
stream. The Bali pass may be reached from this camp without any problem. The
pass is to the right. You climb wrong and you land up the other
ridge.
The final
climb to the Bali Pass. The look and feel would be quite different if there
is no snow at the Pass.
View of the Swargarohini
peak and the valley from the Bali Pass. The route to the Dhum Dhar Kandi is
towards right after crossing the river.
We retraced our path and camped just below the
snowline.
A camp
fire after the high camp near snow was an enjoyable event.
Crossing the Yamuna river
at Janki Chatti brought us the the village of Kharsali located on the opposite
bank. Now we were moving towards the Dodi Tal.
A temple at Kharsali village. Though the village has an old
Shani temple which is worth a look.
The Kharsali village
after moving up some distance.
The well defined trail now moves into dense jungle.
Again water was a problem and we camped near a small source of
water.
The view of Bandarpunch and the Bali Pass. We were now
appreciating the place we had just been to. Spotting the places to each
other was big fun.
A closer view of the Bandarpunch range.
The trail ahead moves in various directions. We are moving
towards Sonpara top. Better to be in company of a guide.
Crossing Hanuman Ganga over a tree trunk. The trail after
crossing the river moves up and up till it takes one to the Darwa
top.
The climb
for the day is over at Darwa top and the scenic Dodi tal awaits the
team.
First view of Dodi tal.
Dodi tal has a temple and forest rest house. During the
trekking season the villagers setup small shops near the temple.
