Initially, this trip triggered by gossip among the tracking lover in Medan who talked about the waterfall in the upstream of Sinembah River 1 which was so beautiful. Unfortunately, the access to reach the place by river could not be done. The big stones covered with moss blocked access through the edge of the river. And we had to think another risk factor such as the camera equipment that could be damaged by river water. So there was no choice, we had to climb the ridge of the hills and walked through the jungle in the slope of Mount Sibayak about three hours, and finally went down to the valley which was divided by Sinembah River 1.

We began walking when our global positioning system (GPS) branded with GPS Garmin 12 XL was pointing at N 03 16’18. 1” and E 098 32’08.7”, right in front of jungle gate after passing over the scout’s camping ground in Sibolangit. And then, 2 or 3 minutes walk, we reached the edge of small stream with crystal water, yet it was cool, and an old dam from the Dutch time. Washing our face with water from the dam was enough to keep our spirit to continue the trip.

From now on, we entered the muddy footpath to follow the pipe water, and after the pipe another footpath going up with medium acclivity but long enough. This track leads us to one of the ridges. And the rest was walking up and down to penetrate the thick jungle.

Around 25 minutes, we went down to one of the rivers, crossing over and went up again to the ridge which was opposite to the ridge. “This is not Sinembah 1, although it is written Sinembah 1 on the map,” said Suban, one of Kompas-USU members who was kindly to accompany us to the location.

It is said that among the adventurers in Kompas USU, Suban was the most frequent guide to this waterfall. Although there were many footpaths on the ridge, we would not get lost. How beautiful is the waterfall? This question was always in our mind during the trip.

After crossing over the track, finally we arrived at mountain ridge where we took rest while enjoying biscuit. “Come on brother, let’s move again,” said Suban when looking at the last piece of Oreo on my mouth. In spite of short time to rest, I had to take my bag and walked again to follow Suban.

Again, the trip to the mountain ridge continued. A variety of animals like squirrel, and deer were scattered with fear to see our appearance. Unluckily, they disappeared immediately, so no opportunity for our camera to the picture. About 20 minutes later, the sound of the river came again. We arrived at the cross of the ridge side. Here a plank on the tree was written “Two Colored Waterfall, 20 minutes” with arrow direction to the lower valley where the water sound of  Sinembah River 1 came from. Another straight track to follow the ridge, according to Suban, leading to Track 54 (one of tracks to the peak of Siabayak).

While walking steadily and encouraged by the river sound, we saw a rambe tree with full of red colored fruit. The red colored rambe fruit on the tree was very contrast with the green foliage of the jungle. Suban was trying to climb to fulfill our demand to taste it. Due to the bad taste, immediately we went away from the tree. It was very sour. No wonder, the wild monkeys didn’t finish the fruit at all.

Not long afterward, we arrived at the location. The huge stones as big as house were plentiful in the river. From the condition of moss on the stones and in the stream which was located between two mountain ridges on the slope of Sibayak, we jumped to conclusion that this was the main path for the spill of the lava when Sibayak erupted hundred years ago.

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After walking through road at the opposite the jungle, we found the good access to cross back to former place. The sound of waterfall was heard. We crawled over the footpath on the foothill covered with moss about 45 meters high. After walking over the huge stones on the left side of river, we were really hypnotized by to see a piece of wonder in the jungle which had drained physic and energy.

At the end of Sinembah 1, a closed valley in the form of wide altar about the size of football field was hidden behind the high walls on the left and the right side. On the right side, a waterfall with crystal water about 10 meters high sliding down from one of the altar above the wall. The water kept running, and joining with the stream from other waterfalls which was located on the left side.

The second waterfall made us quiet and did not say any word. It is about 40 meters high. The water outflow is extraordinary, but its water contains sulfur which makes the whitening blue color. The content of the sulfur in the water has caused the layer of moss in the bottom of the water pool whitening blue color.

Here was the waterfall with two colors which commonly spoken by the visitor. Two waterfalls with different colors, one is normal and another one has the bright blue color. We wanted to bathe undress in the jungle like the nudists, but the extreme cool of the water preventing from doing so. Moreover, we scared of the curse. Perhaps the ghost who guards this place is temperamental.

The Guard

Suban took initiative to open the food stock and boil water for coffee drink. In a short time, we have finished our lunch and sitting to enjoy our self made coffee drink.

In the mid of our enjoyment, while Suban was taking water for cooking the instant noodle, he shouted at us to take care the goods. We did not know where it is from; behind us a monkeylike baboon which local name bengkala tongkal appeared from foliage above the cliff.

By saying hush, it would not go away. We took initiative to run after to give an impression as if we wanted to beat him. It made him move back slowly, but kept watching us. According to Suban, the baboon monkey is the guard of the Two Colored Waterfall. It lives alone. Besides eating the leaves of the top of the tree, it begs or grabs the food from the bags of the visitor who is rather stingy to give food.

A scratch of injury was found on the hip of the monkey. May be the scratch caused by other monkey to fight for territory, or by an adventurer who came to see the waterfall. To make it calm, we were willing to give our extra food to share with this monkey. Finally the four of us, three visitors and one monkey could stay harmoniously in the God’s earth. We all together enjoyed the exoticism of Two Colored Waterfall while drinking coffee. But coffee drink is not good for monkey. Hush, keep away!  

The Two Colored Waterfall is great potential to be one the best ecotourism objects in North Sumatera. Due to its far location, and difficult access, this object is categorized as the tour with special interest. It means that everyone has to be in a good condition and has spirit of adventure they want to come here. Do believe, your complaint during the hard trip walking up and down the ridge of the hills will change to thankfulness on arrival at Two Colored Waterfall.