Mt. Cayabu, Mt. Maynuba and the Waterfalls

Tanay, Province of Rizal

29 April 2017

We left Paranaque at 0630H and we were six. We traveled to Brgy. Cayabu in the province of Rizal for another trek. Everyone was excited to see Mt. Cayabu, Mt. Maynuba and at the same time, explore the series of Waterfalls of Brgy. Cayabu. 

The site is approximately 55 kilometers away from our position in Paranaque and google maps approximated our travel time at 2H6Min following the suggested route and considering the traffic and other road conditions along the way.

We took Aurora Boulevard towards Marcos Highway. We passed by Sta. Lucia Grand Mall, Masinag, and Cogeo. Then after Cogeo we passed by Palo Alto and Garden Cottages. After passing KM51 post, we saw the Welcome Arch to Brgy. San Andres. 

We took the road all the way to Brgy San Andres and went straight ahead. We took a rough road from Brgy. San Andres all the way to Brgy Cayabu passing through Brgy. Sto. Nino. 

At the left side of the road leading to the jump-off point is Cayabu Elementary School and the Cayabu Barangay Hall.  

The jump-off point is actually located at Mar-ning's Farm and Resort. 

We reach the jump-off point at 0839H, registered and prepared for the whole day trek. 

For the first time, we missed our breakfast because we were in a little hurry getting to the jump-off point and start the trek right away since we left Manila a little late.

 

At the jump-off point, we bought some supplies including our packed lunch and trail foods.

We decided to secure two guides to assist us on the trail and we were happy to meet Greg and his fellow guide. Both are from Tanay and are experienced trail guides.

 

At 0919H, we officially started our trek. We took the usual trail passing through the peaks first (Mt. Cayabu and Mt. Maynuba) and descend at the waterfalls.

Our guides were suggesting that we take the reverse trail instead going to the waterfalls first because of the intense heat of the sun, however, we preferred the peaks first.

 

The initial part of the trail leads to Mt. Cayabu covered with lush green vegetation similar to the trail of Mt. Makiling. Tall and green cogon grasses were all over the sides of the trail.

 

At 0951H, we reached an open area near the peak of Mt. Cayabu overlooking Brgy. Cayabu and the winding river below.

This is one of the best spots to witness the sea of clouds and the rising sun early in the morning.

We resumed trekking passing through the trail covered with tall and thick cogon grasses and then went through the trail portion with the bamboo trees. At 1044H, we reached the rocky and covered peak of Mt. Cayabu.

After having a quick refreshment, we resumed trekking from the peak of Mt. Cayabu towards Mt. Maynuba. 

We descended on a rocky trail covered with "fresh-green" bamboo trees and later emerged on an open trail leading to Mt. Maynuba.

 

At 1123H, we started our ascend to Mt. Maynuba. The trail is entirely exposed. It was hot and the air was humid. According to our guides, the next shaded trail will be at the waterfalls.

We had a nice view of Mt. Cayabu along the open trail leading to the camp site near the summit. We reached the camp site at 1158H and we started to feel the sun.

 

The exposed camp site provides an excellent view of the surrounding green mountain slopes of the Sierra Madre mountain ranges.

 

Under the small trees, we had our quick lunch, had a rest and then regrouped. At 1236H, on an exposed trail under the intense heat of the sun, we resumed our adventure towards the summit of Mt. Maynuba.

 

The trail and summit of Mt. Maynuba can be compared to those of Mt. Talamitam and a single word can summarize all the similarities between the two mountains - "Exposed".

 

We reach the peak of the mountain at 1258H and had a quick photo-ops. We had a 20-minute rest under the bamboo trees to cool-off from the intense heat of the sun.

Slowly, we started our descent from Mt. Maynuba at 1325H heading on to the waterfalls. We reached another camp site at 1335H and stayed there shortly for another photo-ops.

 

From the camp site, we survived the intense heat along the exposed trail for another hour - reaching the refreshing cold water stream at 1412H.

We continued our descent on trail covered with bamboo trees towards the first water falls. 

 

At 1426, we reached the first waterfalls and refreshed on the cool and clear water coming from the mountain. 

 

From the first waterfalls, we resumed our descent at 1504H passing through more Rockies and several rope segments. We were like hopping from one waterfalls to the next.

 

According to our guides, the 8 waterfalls are actually from a single water stream coming from the mountain and then cascading on rocks forming the other waterfalls below the first waterfalls at the top.

 

 

At 1426H, we were at the second waterfalls, took a photo and then proceeded to the next and remaining waterfalls.

We reached the eighth and the last waterfalls at 1544H and then finally resumed our trek back to the jump-off point.

Our adventure was completed at 1735H.

-o0o-

Revisiting Mt. Maculot

Cuenca, Batangas

02 April 2017

It was our first climb in 2017 on a sunny and hot Sunday. We were three and excited to climb Mt. Maculot. I had my first climb on the mountain in 2011 and six (6) long years had past. 

We assembled at Mc Donald's Valero at 0730H and after having light breakfast, we left Makati City towards Cuenca in Batangas. We took SLEX and then Star Toll all the way to Cuenca.

Cuenca is approximately 89 kilometers away from Makati and 1.75H drive on private vehicle considering the traffic conditions along the way, according to Google maps.

We reached the town of Cuenca at 0845H and decided to buy lunch before proceeding to the jump-off point. The weather was perfect for the climb.

 

At 0916H, we were at the registration area with many other climbers. Unlike before, there were already guides waiting at the registration office for climbers, which is good. Guides are now required when trekking Mt. Maculot.

We registered and paid P20 per head and then a guide was assigned to us. We were so happy to met sir Gerry Lopez who is also from Cuenca. From the registration area, we proceeded to the parking area where the trail leading to the Rockies begin.

 

We decided to do a "traverse" to see the entire trail of Mt. Maculot. A traverse hike will take pass through the Rockies, Camp Site, Summit and the Grotto.

We parked at Tita Intang's Eatery.

Mt. Maculot now is a very popular hiking destination near Manila and the volume of hikers swell especially on summer season. As a result, vendors were almost all over the trail from one segment to another selling foods and beverages to climbers which, in my opinion could be helpful to hikers but could also impact on the cleanliness and orderliness issues of the trail and the mountain as a whole.

According to our guide, these vendors are sometimes dubbed as "7-11" of Maculot.

Before going up the trail further, we had our first stop for a refreshment just near the jump-off point and then we proceeded through the inclined trail together with few other climbers.

 

It was raining the last time we hiked at Mt. Maculot and the trail was not yet as established as the present.

At 1053H, we reached an open area and we had a glimpse of the marvelous Taal lake.

I also noticed during the climb that several rope segments have been in placed along the trail to provide a grip for hikers and guides. 

Along the trail going to the Rockies, I have noted at least four rest stations. These stations looked like camps that provide shade to hikers.

 

We reached the PHIVOLCS station at 1130H. This is the start of the trail leading to the Rockies. 

As expected, hikers were all over the place. There was a long queue of hikers going up the Rockies and we had to wait for our turn and fall in line as the Rockies summit could only accommodate a few.

 

We had our turn at the Rockies at 1159H but then again, there was another queue for photo-ops on the rock cliff spots on both sides. 

 

We were at the Rockies at 1209H and had our photos taken at the rock cliff at 1258H. It was such as long wait.

We started our descent from the Rockies at 1317H back to the camp site for lunch before heading to the summit.

 

 

 

 

At 1354H, we started our assault to the summit. The weather was still in favor of the climb as it was windy and cold though there was clearing and the trail is generally covered with trees.

 

 

 

At 1437H, we were at the summit of Mt. Maculot standing 930M above sea level. We had no view of the city and the lake down below because it was cloudy.

 

 

We started our descent at 1448H passing through several rope segments. 

 

At 1517H, we reached the "Vertical Rope Segment" and there was a queue. This was the short exciting part of the climb as it resembled a short rappelling on a vertical wall (wall climbing). There were two ropes installed one on both sides of the way going down.

 

Thankfully, there were experienced guides assisting every climbers as they took the rope and rappel all the way down the trail leading to the Grotto.

It took us at least ten (10) minutes to move to the trail that leads to the grotto from the vertical rope segment.

 

We were at the station near the grotto for a quick refreshment at 1601H.

 

 

At 1623H, we were at the Grotto overlooking the own of Cuenca. From there we started our descent at 1629H using the concrete stairs.

 

According to our guide, there are at least a thousand steps from the jump-off point to the Grotto. Along the way are the fourteen stations of the cross, suggesting that this place is a favorite pilgrim spot during Lenten season. 

We were at the other end of the trail at 1644H. We took a tricycle going back to the parking area. 

Finally, our journey on the trail ended at 1700H and we didn't leave the place without a taste of Lomi.

-o0o-