HULUGAN FALLS AND ALIW FALLS DAYTRIP _ Part 2 – Aliw Waterfalls

With tummies filled, we continued our jaunt to the nearby Aliw Waterfalls.  The flurry from the earlier Hulugan Falls adventure still loiter in our psyches. 

Aliw Falls though part of Brgy. San Jose was less than a kilometer away from Brgy. San Salvador of Hulugan Falls.  The two are actually within strides, just note of the gate of a deserted housing project which served as the jump-off of Aliw Waterfalls.  Earlier on, we informed our guides that we will explore two waterfalls.  They’re the one who suggested what to visit first.

Read More

HULUGAN FALLS AND ALIW FALLS DAYTRIP _ Part 1 – Hulugan Waterfalls

Laguna is famous not just for Pagsanjan Falls but of other waterfalls as well and we’ve visited quite a number already.  So when we heard of gigantic waterfalls in Luisiana, we wasted no time and organized an instant daytrip…

It was 5am when we took off for our Luisiana adventure with a two waterfalls goal, Hulugan Falls and Aliw Falls.  We had a quick breakfast at Paviola in Siniloan and even punned of Buruwisan Falls instead.

Hulugan Falls

We nearly missed Brgy. San Salvador being the first Luisiana barangay after the municipality of Cavinti.  Thanks to the Hulugan Falls poster for directing the way.  At the barangay entrance is an information area where you will first secure your guide.

Read More

A Quick Dayhike to Buruwisan Falls

The New Year day slipped barely and I yearned for an adventure that early.  Exactly 10 years ago, we did a New Year’s Day climb and now, a January 2 hike would not be bad.  With a wide smile, I persuaded hubby for a quick hike...

Read More

MT. MAKILING TRAVERSE DAYHIKE - STO. TOMAS TO UPLB

We took off at the Cabaong Bridge at around 6am and by 630am, we surpassed the last section of the housing development leading to the Makiling trail.

Most of the team were Maktrav hardcore in their college years but with the housing and commercial progress in the area, we got lost on our way up.  We faced boulders unpassable that we backtracked until the recollection of the right trail appeared.

Read More

Mt. Butalao Dayhike Plus an Overnight Camping at Burot Beach

I’ve always preferred to climb Batulao early morning especially for dayhikes but as always, I constantly end up savoring the heat of Batulao… I don’t know what’s with me coz no matter how I’ve known how fiery it could be, my shield frequently comes shorthanded.

Anyways, for this dayhike, the thought of a rewarding beach after this blistering trek kept me going… Beach, beach, beach….

Actual itinerary as follows:

7am to 9am – travelled from Manila to Evercrest

930am – start of trek via the new trail

11am – finally reached the registration area after countless stops to take cover

1130am – resumed trek to summit

1215pm – reached the summit with trail bottles drained

1220pm – started descent via the old trail

115pm – reached the old trail registration area

3pm – back at jump-off, regrouped with the team and prepared for Burot Beach

Read More

BUNTOT PALOS WATERFALLS DAYHIKE

BUNTOT PALOS (HIDDEN) FALLS

Pangil, Laguna

This trip was another last-minute spur of the moment adventure for some fresh air and be briefly away from the stresses of the metro… well, regardless of the reasons, alibis and excuses, here we go, just three us, for a dayhike trip to Buntot Palos waterfalls.

The jump-off of Buntot Palos Waterfalls in Pangil, Laguna was nearly 3-hour drive from the metro.  It was already 10:30am when we left the registration area.  Registration fee was at P30 per head while the dayhike guide fee was P300. According to our guide, the average trek to the waterfalls is about 2-1/2 hours and 2 hours more for the return trek.  With a bottle of water each, we pushed through yearning to be back by 1:30pm for a late lunch.

Read More

MT. ROMELO DAYHIKE [2013]

This trip was another motorcycle ride and part-training of our soon Mt. Kinabalu climb.  We left the Metro at 10am and originally bound to Pangil, Laguna for a Buntot Palos Falls dayhike.  We learned at the registration area that a guide is now required due to previous issues of robbery at the trail or campsite.  The guide fee for a dayhike is P300 plus P20/head registration fee.  Ahem... the P300 for the two of us was beyond budget... With that, we diverted our training to Mt. Romelo.

After a quick lunch at the Siniloan junction, we proceeded to Engr. Rodel’s place for our Mt. Romelo trek.  It was already 1:15pm when we made the river cross.  Barely 30 minutes along the trail, we were shocked by the sight of an open field with remnants of chopped trunks, twigs and leaves scattered by the side.  If my memory served me right, that area used to be the famous “kawayanan” where plenty of frightful stories has been told and replayed several times.  Well, I don’t want to judge... maybe the farmers are planting new breed, maybe a pest infestation occurred that necessitate the cutting of trees... maybe, maybe... ahhh!

Read More

PAGSANJAN FALLS VIA THE VERTICALS OF CAVINTI

Our trip to Pagsanjan Falls via Cavinti was one of those last minute “call of nature” adventures.  To my dismay, my February ended with no out-of-town trip while hubby had a short Cebu-trip mid-Feb.  So as a relief, he treated me for a Pagsanjan Falls day tour.  He said he read an article featuring a budget-friendly but adventurous way to reach Pagsanjan Falls.

We left the Metro around 6am via Rizal-Laguna route.  Unfortunately, the Pagsanjan Bridge was under construction and not passable to 4-wheel vehicles.  Our option was either to take the other route which will take about one hour or the P2 Balanac River raft-cross then commute to Cavinti.  We opted for the latter and we joked, “an adventure earlier than expected”.

At the other side of the Balanac River, jeepneys bound to Lucban and Cavinti are lined-up waiting for passengers.  We told the driver to drop us at the terminal for Pueblo el Salvador Nature’s Park and from there we took a tricycle for a P70 15-minute Pueblo ride.

Read More

MT. DAGULDUL - San Juan, Batangas

MT. DAGULDUL
San Juan, Batangas
http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/11/mt-daguldul-670.html

We left the Metro at around 5am and arrived at Brgy. Hugom San Juan, Batangas at 7:30am.  After registration and guide arrangement, we had a quick breakfast before proceeding to Sitio Catmon jump-off.  Mt. Daguldul's previous jump-off was the registration area and trekking starts through the beach front leading to the jump-off.  Thanks to the recent road development, Sitio Catmon is already accessible by vehicle via a 20 minute rough ride.

Because this was a day hike climb, I thought the summit is just around 2-hours trek.  Some of us climbed the mountain more than a decade ago and memories of the trail already eluded our thoughts.  So when the guide told us that trek is about 4 hours (and for us, it might take longer with a child on the team), we glared at each other with a query look of “are we going to proceed?”.  Well, majority said we’re already here so we better get moving...

Read More

MT. HUMARAP AND MATABUNGKA FALLS - Paete, Laguna

MT. HUMARAP AND MATABUNGKA FALLS

Brgy. Ilaya Norte, Paete
Height of waterfalls: 20-25 meters

The original plan was to ascend through the 1000-step concrete stairs to get to Tatlong Krus, the landmark of Mt. Humarap, but being lost was a blessing in disguise.  We overshoot the jump-off but with the trike drivers instructions, we found out that there is a road all the way to the top.   

Read More

MANABU PEAK -- Sto. Tomas, Batangas

MANABU PEAK (Day Hike Climb)
Sto. Tomas, Batangas
Jump-off point: Sulok, Brgy. Sta Cruz, Sto. Tomas

http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/08/manabu-peak-760.html

Mataas na Bundok or “Manabu” is located beside Mt. Malipunyo of Sto. Tomas Batangas.  At Lipa City and if coming from Manila -- turn left beside the Floral Garden Cemetery, you will pass by Fiesta World Mall, Malarayat Golf and Country and several subdivisions along the way.  Then if you are bound for Manabu, turn left and you will reach Brgy. Sta. Cruz while if you’re bound for Malipunyo, turn right for Brgy. Talisay.

Mt. Manabu Cross Marker

Read More

MT. BALAGBAG -- Rodriguez, Rizal

MT. BALAGBAG (Dayhike)

Rodriguez, Rizal

First jumpoff: Sitio Karahume, Brgy. Macabud, Rodriguez

second jumpoff: Sitio Balagbag, Brgy. San Isidro, Rodriguez

http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2011/05/mt-balagbag-777-in-rodriguez-rizal.html

Mt. Balagbag -- Rodriguez, Rizal

Read More

MT. ROMELO - Siniloan, Laguna

MT. ROMELO (Day Hike)
Siniloan, Laguna

THE WATERFALLS OF MT. ROMELO

This was my n^th daytrip to Mt. Romelo but the most explorative one.  We ascended through the so called executive private trail leading us straight to Sampalok falls.  The trail from the jump-off to Sampalok falls was not that established and limatik was very much present.

Read More

MT. TALAMITAM -- Nasugbu, Batangas

MT. TALAMITAM (Day Hike)
Nasugbu, Batangas
Jump-off point: Sitio Bayabasan, Brgy. Aga, Nasugbu (KM. 83)
http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2007/08/mt-talamitam-630.html

Mt. Talamitam

Read More

MT. BATULAO -- Nasugbu, Batangas

MT. BATULAO (Day Hike)
Nasugbu, Batangas
Jump-off point: Evercrest Golf Course, Nasugbu

Batulao Trails courtesy of Pinoy Mountaineer

For this climb, we navigated both trails. Our ascend was through the new trail and though the old trail looked more difficult and longer, we still pursued with the old trail descend.  We just toyed, two is always better than one.

Read More