Anyway, I joined the other trekkers and the MASK organizers in a hired bus as it took the Mumbai Pune expressway up to the exit for Khopoli, just after the Khalapur toll plaza. Then our bus crossed a bridge over the expressway and started down the Khopoli-Pali road. Some 30 kilometers from the expressway exit, after a quick stop for breakfast on the way, we reached Pali. There were signboards everywhere that guided us towards the Ballaleshwar temple
Leaving the bus at the free parking lot (courtesy of the temple), we walked towards the hill. Since this was MASK's first trek to Sarasgad, we were not sure about the trail but with some guidance from the locals, started our ascent. On our way up, at around 10:30, we met a group that was already coming down from the fort - a sensible schedule, considering the heat of the March morning. A relatively easy climb brought us to a small dusty plateau, from where we had great views of the rocky peak of Sarasgad and another triple peak further along the same ridge
This is where things started difficult for inexperienced trekkers like me. A section of steep stone walls, which we had to scale on all fours, was followed by some gigantic steps cut into the rock. For our already tired legs, each step required a huge effort and we had to take a break every few steps just to catch our breath. Either those steps were designed for giants, or Indians have shrunk in size over the last five hundred years or so. Anyway, after a long climb up the steps, we came to the arched door-like fort entrance and a rock-cut guards chamber just inside it
After resting a while at this point, we continued our search for the path to the top of the fort. Thankfully this section was mostly easy, other than a point where you have to walk along a narrow ledge holding on to the cliff wall. Finally we came to some caves cut into the rock itself. Most were dry but one still contained cool water, albeit covered by a film of dust. One of our team assured us that since there were fish swimming in the cave pond, it was safe to drink. Since our own water bottles were empty by now, we had no choice but to fill them up with this sweet water
Most of our group settled down in the shade of the cliff, not far from the water tank. On this other side there were smaller caves that were probably once used for storing food or as living quarters. Some of the chambers had been walled up with rock and bricks. Other than a few insects, and a few local boys who came to steal glances at the city girls in our group, we were totally alone atop Sarasgad for two hours. Once everyone had settled down after a shared lunch, the peaceful quietness of the place was unbelievably soothing. Many of the trekkers enjoyed a little nap
Meanwhile some of the team members had lost their way and serendipitously reached the top of the fort. They called us up and explained that the path was in the another direction from the one that reached the caves. But by this time, the majority of the group was in no mood to move out of the cool shade. So we waited for the summit conquerors to rejoin us, and then started the descent back to Pali. At some points this was even more difficult than the ascent, and we had to literally drag our butts down steep rocky slopes and slippery gravel patches. But once we crossed the plateau, things got easier and some of us reached Pali a good half hour before the rest
Because the actual trek took longer than expected, we had to forego the chance to get a darshan of Lord Ganesh. After quickly rehydrating and recharging ourselves with tea and juices, we got in the bus and started the journey back to Mumbai. Of course, none of us missed any opportunity to remind the MASK group that the next time they invited us for a summer trek, they should start the climb earlier, and more importantly, get the difficulty rating confirmed
Sarasgad Massif
Triple Peak on Sarasgad Ridge
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