Before the spring rain had even fully passed, the March snow blanketed the area of Jukpari in Yeongyang-gun in pure white.
The birch forest in Jukpari, Yeongyang-gun, Gyeongbuk, which experiences a longer winter than other regions, creates a winter wonderland as if it were an independent space due to its lower temperatures compared to urban areas.
This winter feels unusually long. The snow that fell in early March blossomed into snow flowers on the bare branches of the birch trees. Staring blankly at the clear sky and air in front of the electric vehicle boarding station of the birch forest, which is inoperable due to heavy snow, I am slowly drawn into the birch forest.
As I walk to the forest entrance, the snow piled on the conifers falls heavily at every corner, guiding the way. Leaving footprints one by one on the pristine snowy path without a single trace, I soon arrive at the entrance of the birch forest. The distance of 4.7 km feels like a light journey, accompanied by the scenery seen through the snow and the sound of a stream flowing beneath the frozen surface.
The birch forest greeted at the entrance was planted in 1993 with 30 cm tall trees over an area of about 30 hectares, which have grown naturally for nearly 30 years to form the current dense forest. Since it has been untouched by human hands, it preserves its natural state most perfectly, and I feel fortunate to have discovered it even now.
Once inside the forest, the tall trees fill the view with white. This forest path, as large as 40 soccer fields, is divided into two courses, each offering different scenery. The 1.49 km first course and the 1.52 km second course are perfect for beginners experiencing snowy mountains for the first time, and may provide an unprecedented joy to those who enjoy snowy landscapes.
Enchanted by the pure white snowy path, lowering my head as I walk would be regrettable; the unique forest scenery harmonizing with the clear sky evokes a desire to keep the memory, and before I know it, I am pressing the shutter. Additionally, photo zones placed throughout create suitable frames to capture a picturesque scene in the birch forest.
Climbing up to the observatory, you can overlook the birch forest area from an altitude exceeding 800 meters. In front of the pure white canvas formed by the white bark of densely embroidered trees and the snow covering the land, at this very moment, I become the protagonist of this space.
The snow in Yeongyang Jukpari has not yet melted. The snow may still be gently resting on the birch trees through this weekend. Like the flower language of the birch tree, "I am waiting for you," the Jukpari birch forest embraces the high sky and clear air, waiting for visitors.
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