We walk leisurely on the bluffs overlooking Dali 大里 on a middle section of the trail. A small typhoon approaching from offshore not too far offshore generates clear rain bands were clearly visible. We timed the trip to avoid the severest part of the storm which would a few hours after we left. We did get into one squall that became intense quickly, then passed. Other than that we avoided all rain and enjoyed clear visibility under low dark clouds streaming over us from east-northeast to west-southwest, and steady strong winds all morning.
The Caoling Trail 草嶺古道 (Tsaoling Old Road) was built at the end of the Qing dynasty 清朝, just before Japanese rule 日治 to provide an over land route linking Taipei 台北, via Tamshui 淡水 to Yilan 宜蘭 over the northeast corner of the island. The path crosses Sandiaojiao 三貂角 (on 5 May 1626 a Spanish fleet named the village at present day Fulong 福隆, San Diego, so 三貂角), from Yuanwangkeng 遠望坑 near Gongliao 貢寮 just inland from Fulung 福隆 to Dali 大里 on the coast. On the bluffs, the trail splits, either heading down toward Dali 大里 or taking a longer route to Daxi 大溪 via the Taoyuan Valley 桃源谷.