Sirane-san is situated close to Kasabori-dam at Sitada in Sanzyo City. It is 918 meters high. There was no trail in this mountain until several years ago. So it hasn't been well known by hikers.

  I knew recently there was a new trail cut in this mountain. So I tried to explore this unknown mountain on June 19 in 2007. I met no one in the mountain but mountain leeches which stuck on my foot.

  From Sanzyo City I drove on the route 289 up to Kasabori-dam. Passing by Yagihana Cliff, on my way up to the dam, I found a construction company on the left side of the road. I turned to the left and passed by the office house.

  Soon I found the entrance of a logging track. But it was closed by a gate with a chain, so I parked my car in front of it. There was an open space large enough to park about 10 cars.

  Waking on the logging track for about 20minutes, I found a small signboard on the left side of the track. The entrance of the trail was covered with grass. It made me feel worried.

  The trail followed up a small stream for a while, crossed the stream and began to climb the right ridge. A gentle 10 minute climb took me to an open space where there was a first sign pole written "yama-no-kami" means "sprit of mountain".

  The trail zigzagged up the sub ridge steeply through a natural forest incruding cedar trees. After 40minute climb I came to the main ridge. The trail swung slowly to the right and headed for Sirane-san, following the main ridge. A gentle and pleasant trail continued for a while and I got to an open clearing with a second sign pole called "kumagari-no-nagameba" means "look-out point of bear".

  A great view of Awa-ga-take could be seen to the left (north) beyond a deep valley and first I could see Sirane-san ahead of the ridge.

  Staying on the ridge, I went over a few peaks with rocky ridges and finally got to the peak of 638 meters in height.

  The trail went down gently to the bottom and then turned up steeply, heading for the top. It was a harder climb through the natural forest and continued for 30minutes.

  After that an open place I reached was Mae-sirane corresponding to the shoulder of Sirane-san. There was a third sign pole in this course. It wasn't true top but had an excellent view of the neighboring mountains.

  The trail became gentle and continued to the end of the ridge. 20 minutes gentle climb brought me to the summit of Sirane-san.

  It was an open clearing with a triangular stone marker in the center and had a panoramic view, taking in nearly all the mountains of the Kwachi Massif. Especially Yahazu and Aori-dake could be seen impressively.

  From here there was a cut through the bush to the south, but it was not clear. So after lunch, I took the same trail and went back to the original point. It took six hours for me to go and back.