Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Mt. Maculot

MT. MACULOT Cuenca, Batangas Major Jumpoff: Mountaineer's Store, Brgy. 7 "Siete", Cuenca Exit point (traverse): Brgy 5 (to Grotto), Cuenca LLA: 13°55 N; 121°2 E; 706 MASL (Rockies) / 930 MASL (summit) Days required / Hours to Rockies / summit : 1 day / 1-2 hr / 2-4 hr Specs: Minor, Difficulty 3/9 (Rockies); 4/9 (Traverse) Trail class 1-3. Features: Scenic views of Taal Lake, rock formations, forests Posting date: August 9, 2007 Last updated: February 10, 2012 LATEST UPDATES As of late 2011, we've had reports that the minor jumpoff at Brgy. Pinagkaisahan (Grotto) is not open, and can only be used as an exit point. Hence, our recommended route for the traverse is a Rockies-Summit-Grotto sequence. This article was revised on February 10, 2012.
BACKGROUND Mt. Maculot is one of the most popular daytrip destinations. It is so popular that on weekends and summer months, there is a sari-sari store, dubbed '7-11' at the campsite. This mountain, at the heart of Batangas, is known as a landmark for locals and travelers alike; it is easily identifiable because of its abruptly terminating east side - forming a cliff that is challenging for rock climbers and breathtaking to everybody else. Others describe the shape of the mountain as 'igloo-like'. At 930 MASL, the mountain has three destinations: the famous Rockies (706m), the summit (930m) and the Grotto (510m). These can all be covered by a traverse dayhike, but most climbers head to the Rockies, which is the reason why Maculot is the paragon of an easy hike. Only 5% of hikers pursue the traverse, but we hope more people will explore the "forested side" of the mountain. It is understandable, though, that the Rockies is Maculot's most powerful draw. This rocky formation stands beside Taal Lake, creating a scenic view, encompassing the whole of Taal Lake including the world-famous Taal volcano; as well the plains of Batangas. From a distance looms, on opposite sides, Mt. Makiling and the Tagaytay Highlands. If you follow Batangas Bay to the South you can see Maricaban Island, and beyond that, Mindoro's Mt. Halcon. The climbing time is variable; experienced climbers can reach the Rockies in less than an hour, but on a more relaxed pace, one could take up to two or three hours. Being a very popular trail, some entrepreneurial locals would sell drinks, like buko juice, at the rest stops along the trail, which is somewhat steep. Moreover, there is a big store, dubbed '7-11' at the campsite which marks the end of the initial trail: this store offers everything from hard drinks to halo-halo and is open on weekends and peak season days during Holy Week etc. The campsite has space for 20 tents or more, but if you are a seeker of peace and quiet on a mountain on weekends, this is probably one of the worst places to camp in, being full of people, some of whom can get rowdy and noisy well into the night, talking and drinking. On weekdays, though, Maculot is very pleasant and quiet. Also, because of its popularity, Maculot has historically been dubbed one of the mountains with the dirtiest trails and campsites - a notoriety that has since been improved by clean-up climbs and an increasingly responsible hiking culture; nonetheless, garbage remains a big problem, and has diminished the beauty of the mountain. Arriving at the campsite coming from the jumpoff, there are two trails, the left one leads to the Rockies, five minutes away; the right one leads to the summit, which is visible and prominent the campsite. For adventure seekers wishing to maximize a day or two of hiking, Maculot has plenty to offer beyond the Rockies. From the campsite, one can continue to the peak (830 MASL) and the Grotto on the other side of the mountain. The trail to the summit, and past it, is mostly forested, and lends a different flavor from the usual Maculot trail. Some parts of the trail may be overgrown but is not difficult to follow through the long-established trail. It takes about an hour or so to reach the summit from the Rockies, and there, 930 MASL - the second highest point in Batangas - one can see the Rockies partially surrounded by the waters of Taal Lake; and Taal Volcano too visible and you can take a peek of the Crater Lake itself. From the very summit of Maculot, there are two trails: one that follows the trail of origin, and another than goes down right from the summit, which is also the right side of the summit, when you're turning your back from the Rockies. Follow this trail, which gets quite steep (and there are some roped segments). The forest ends where the Grotto emerges, and from the Grotto, there are stations of the cross that follow you until you reach the end of the trail. The traverse, like the regular climb, is a relatively straightforward climb, and is doable for reasonably fit individuals. Either way - as a traverse or as a regular climb - Mt. Maculot is a very nice climb, and its popularity is understandable. This is one of our highly recommended dayhikes from Manila! Note: This mountain can be combined with Manabu Peak for a twin dayhike. Check out the Twin Dayhikes page for more information!
ITINERARIES ROCKIES 0600 Board Lemery-bound bus from Buendia or Cubao (~P130) 0900 ETA Cuenca Poblacion - Highway. Walk or take trike to jump-off. 0930 start trek 1115 arrive at campsite, head to Rockies 1130 at Rockies; take pictures 1200 return to campsite for lunch 1230 start descent 1400 back at jump-off; tidy up then head back to the highway from Manila-bound bus. TRAVERSE (Rockies-Summit-Grotto) 0500 Board Lemery-bound bus from Buendia or Cubao (~P130) 0800 ETA Cuenca Muncipal Hall. Walk or take trike to jump-off. Pay P10 registration fee. 0830 start trek 1000 arrive at campsite, head to Rockies 1010 at Rockies; take pictures 1110 Leave for the summit 1230 ETA Summit of Mt. Maculot. Lunch 1300 Start descent to Grotto 1430 Arrival at Grotto. Rest. 1445 Resume descent. 1600 Arrival at exit point. GROTTO 0600 Board Lemery-bound bus from Buendia or Cubao (~P130) 0900 ETA Cuenca Poblacion - Highway. Take trike to "Grotto at Brgy. 5" 0930 Registration / Start trek 1100 Arrival at Grotto. Explore the area / Lunch 1145 Start descent. 1300 Arrival at exit point.
SPECIAL CONCERNS Public transportation. To get to Cuenca from Manila, you can take a Lemery-bound bus from bus terminals in Cubao (MRT3: Cubao; LRT2: Cubao) or Buendia (LRT1: Gil Puyat). As of September 2010, the bus fare is around P150-160. Travel time is approximately 2.5 hours. Alternatively, one can take a bus to Lipa, also from Cubao or Gil Puyat, then take a jeepney to Cuenca (P28). Ask the bus or jeep to drop you off at Poblacion (town center) along the highway. From there, you can either walk to the jumpoff or take a tricycle. The tricycle will detour you to the Barangay Outpost where you can register, get their contact number for security purposes, and pay a nominal fee (P10). Private transportation. Take SLEX, then Star Tollway, take the Lipa exit and head towards Cuenca via the highway to the left. Turn right on a fork, and go straight to Cuenca Poblacion. Turn right upon reaching the market area; it is easy to ask around for where the Mountaineer's Store is. Take note that there are two jumpoffs, one for the Rockies and one for the Grotto. There is some parking spaces near the Mountaineer's Store. Guides. You can ask the Barangay Outpost for guides; sometimes, the barangay kagawads themselves offer their services. You can also ask at the Mountaineer's Store, which is at the major jumpoff. However, the trails are generally easy to follow and are safe, so in general, guides are not necessary. Camping notes. There are no permits required in Maculot and it is generally safe, even for beginners. During April weekends, however, there may be too many climbers. The Rockies is quite small and can only accommodate about 30 people. Climbing notes. Although taking less than 10 minute, the trail from the campsite to the Rockies is very steep. Beginners must be assisted during this leg of the trip. Security concerns. Mt. Maculot is generally safe, and in the past years, we've had no reports of any untoward incident involving hikers. However, since it is a popular place, there are a lot of campsite in the campsites so caution is advised. IMPORTANT NUMBERS Note: Cellphone numbers do change often, I can't assure if they're viable, but please help us update them! (1) Barangay Outpost - +639103172853 (2) Cuenca Police Station - (043) 342-9952 courtesy of PINOYMOUNTAINEER.COM

Mt. CRISTOBAL ( Devil's Mountain )

MT. CRISTOBAL Dolores, Quezon; San Pablo and Nagcarlan, Laguna Major jump-off: Brgy. Sta. Lucia, Dolores, Quezon LLA: 14.064° N 121.428° E, 1470 MASL (600m gain) Days required / Hours to summit: 1-2 days / 4-5 hours Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 4/9, Trail class 3 BACKGROUND Countless legends surround Mt. Cristobal. With its summit taking on a characteristic 'W' shape, like that of stealth bomber, it is flanked by the grander Mt. Banahaw to its northeast, and together, they figure prominently in folklore. For instance, it is said that while Mt. Banahaw is a holy mountain, Mt. Cristobal is the "Devil's mountain", and the two mountains possess good and evil energies that cancel out. The primeval forests of Cristobal, decked with ferns and thorny plants, culminating in its ancient crater, seem to fit the bill of an eerie mountain. Furthermore, there are tales of voices or apparitions, such as the creature called 'Tumao', waylaying mountain climbers; many hiking groups have their own "ghost stories" to tell. Even locals believe these stories; some guides say they have amulets to counteract the negative energy. These legends notwithstanding, there is no reason to be afraid of Mt. Cristobal. Its forests are pristine, with a splendid array of flora that include giant pakpaklawin, varicolored flowering plants, rattan, etc. Two types of civet cats, the musang and the animus, roam freely in the forests. There are also reptile species, including those locally known as the bubuli and the balikakas. THE DOLORES TRAIL The Dolores trail is by far the most common trail used to climb Mt. Cristobal. This trail commences just before you enter Brgy. Kinabuhayan (the jump-off to Mt. Banahaw). To your left, there is trail; you could see the range-like Mt. Cristobal looming to the west. A thirty-minute walk, through on-and-off cemented paths, would take you to house of the psychic, Montelibano. There are citrus fruits (dalanghita) along the way. From the Montelibano house, the forest ensues, taking 2-3 hours to cross. Take note of the ferns that demarcate the trail all throughout.
THE DOLORES TRAIL The Dolores trail is by far the most common trail used to climb Mt. Cristobal. This trail commences just before you enter Brgy. Kinabuhayan (the jump-off to Mt. Banahaw). To your left, there is trail; you could see the range-like Mt. Cristobal looming to the west. A thirty-minute walk, through on-and-off cemented paths, would take you to house of the psychic, Montelibano. There are citrus fruits (dalanghita) along the way. From the Montelibano house, the forest ensues, taking 2-3 hours to cross. Take note of the ferns that demarcate the trail all throughout. Occasionally, there would be views of Tayabas Bay, with Mt. Daguldul to the west and, on a very clear day, Marinduque to the south. Due to the dense forest, however, panoramic views are rare. Further up the jungle, the western portion of the crater rim would have a striking resemblance with the Rockies of Mt. Maculot. The trail is pretty straightforward; there's only one confusing fork, marked by a big rock. Go straight to the right trail. At 1130 MASL, you will cross the cogon line. At 1380 MASL, a small campsite will be found. From here the path leads to the crater, taking around 20 minutes. At the crater, the land is flat; oftentimes it has a misty appearance. A "Cristobal Lake" may be formed in the crater after heavy rains, creating a swamp-like appearance. There are at campsites here; able to accommodate several tents. OTHER TRAILS A traverse of Mt. Cristobal entails crossing over to the Nagcarlan side, north of the crater. You will reach a high point at the crater rim, and from there, it will be a descent through similar forested environs. The entire trail takes 3-4 hours to negotiate. It would be best to get a guide though, as the trail here is not that established. Mt. Cristobal may also be accessed by Brgy. San Cristobal in San Pablo, forming the third and longest route to Cristobal. Be warned that the hunter trails here are quite confusing. The first parts would be grasslands or woodlands with sampinit (wild berries) growing; a dense forest follows - perhaps the densest in the whole mountain. There is an area called "Koronang Tinik" in which the whole place is surrounded by thorny trees, palms, and vines; branches of thorns stick out of the trail, and can only be removed by moving one step backward. Katmon trees, bearing edible fruits, also grow here. Ultimately, you will reach the crater rim at 1400 MASL. Between the San. Cristobal (west) and Dolores (southeast) sides of the mountain is a wide cogon grassland; for many reasons, avoid this area when you are trailblazing/exploring Mt. Cristobal.
ITINERARY DOLORES (STA. LUCIA) TRAIL 0500 ETD Manila 0700 ETA San Pablo City (bus:P120). Rent jeep to Brgy. Kinabuhayan 0800 ETA jump-off at Brgy. Kinabuhayan. Start trek 0840 ETA Montelibano house 1100 ETA crater rim; descend to crater 1130 ETA Crater. 1200 ETA Jones' Peak (highest point in trail) 1230 Start descent 1530 Back at the jump-off 1600 Head back to San Pablo 1700 ETA San Pablo 2000 ETA Manila *take note that the normal IT for Cristobal takes 2 days; give allowances accordingly. this was an actual IT for a Cristobal daytrip the author did on Sept. 15, 2007
SPECIAL CONCERNS The transportation to San Pablo City is serviced by Lucena-bound buses e.g. Green Star, JAM, Lucena Lines. There are stations in Buendia and Cubao. From San Pablo City, best options are private vehicles or a rented jeep, since public transport is irregular. There is no registration to Cristobal. In the main street of Brgy. Kinabuhayan, the same Banahaw guides can guide you to Mt. Cristobal, at P200~P300 per day. A contact number is +639152409138. Cellphone signal is sporadic throughout the Cristobal trail in the Dolores and Nagcarlan sides; it is more stable in the San Pablo side. Take note that the crater can become a swamp in the rainy season; if so, two nearby small campsites can accommodate tents. Strong winds plus high elevation equals a cold and windy night when camping, so prepare accordingly. Useful numbers include those of the Quezon Provincial Police Office, +63427102351, +63427103101. A nearby hospital is San Pablo City Doctors' Hospital, +63495627992. TRIVIA During coffee season, around January, the civet cats feed on coffee beans and excrete them undigested. These excreted beans litter the trails and are a sought-after delicacy, fetching thousands per kilo in Europe. The explanation is, because of the cats' acute sense of smell, they are able to select the best beans. The Cristobal trails are one of the cleanest mountain trails. When asked why, our local guide said: "Because only mountaineers climb here." His words are a shining testimony of hikers' reputation; hopefully we will be able to live up to this name in the future, in Cristobal and elsewhere. On a humorous endnote: The author first climbed Mt. Cristobal via Brgy. San Cristobal. What was supposed to be a daytrip become an overnight adventure. We spent the night in the inclined cogon slopes, 1275 MASL. When our companion woke up, his sandals were gone! The malignant spirits of Cristobal at play? Lacking provisions, he had to descent through the dense forests and woodlands – all the way to his home in San Pablo – barefoot! courtesy of PinoyMountaineer.com