Currently, the monsoon season is at its zenith. As I gaze over the fine silhouette of the lower Himalayas, distinctly visible from the doon valley below, the vividness and lush appearance of the rain-drenched mountains is indeed invigorating to behold.

The melodic pitter-patter of the raindrops, the lively calls of the avian inhabitants, the deep green texture of the plants and trees around, and the sight of the charcoal-hued clouds enfolding the Mussoorie hills in their embrace, all contribute to the distinctiveness of Dehradun, especially during this season.  

On an early rainy Sunday afternoon, a sudden urge to explore the forests and the trail leading from Rajpur village (situated at one end of Dehradun) to Mussoorie took hold of me. The plan quickly materialized, and before long, I found myself on my way.

The heavy rains had just washed the dust away, lending a fresh and spirited appearance to everything around. As I ventured deeper into the heart of forest, the constant drone of city noise below swiftly receded, and a sudden silence took over. I could now noticeably listen to a new ensemble of soothing melodies. This included.

• The crunching sound of the gravel being crushed under my heavy boots.
• The sound of the dew settling on the tender leaves.
• Chirps of the bulbuls as they hop from one tree to another.
• The faint murmur of Rispina’s gushing waters below in the ravine.
• The rustling of leaves and the sound they made as they fell to the ground.

The combination of these sounds harmonized seamlessly, forming a symphony that offered me renewed energy to continue my journey through the magnificent tapestry of nature.

Note: – I have documented a comprehensive account of this trail including all the pit-stops and route map, in a separate post. If you wish to delve deeper into this trail, click here.  In this post, I only attempt to present the thoughts that crossed my mind as I trudged up the mountain amidst this enchanting monsoon milieu.

As I gained some altitude, Dehradun began to blur as the gathering mist exerted its influence. I kept on with my pace and before long, I reached the road close to Jharipani (near the age-old, Half-Way Restaurant, now in ruins). It was still quiet around, occasionally disturbed by the passing of a car or two. Suddenly, the mist thickened, air grew cooler, and Mussoorie started to emerge, albeit with a vague visibility, appearing closer than before.

Just as I neared the Landour Clock Tower, the clouds began to disappear, unleashing the raw beauty of the entire Landour landscape. I was totally awestruck with its beauty. Somewhere in the distance, the sun must have gotten its way through a slit in the clouds, as the upper reaches of the hills began to illuminate.

From the clock tower, I navigated my way through the Landour Bazaar, which was buzzing with activity, yet an aura of serenity had engulfed the surroundings. A final ascent from around Mullingar complex, lead me to my destination known as ‘Char Dukan’. As I arrived here, at one of the shacks, a profound feeling of contentment took over me, having walked the entire distance of about 15 kilometres from Dehradun to this spot, absorbing every facet that nature presented to me along the trail.