On our final day in tranquil Sagada, we decided to conquer its highest peak - Mt. Ampacao. Mt. Ampacao is readily visible from around the town, with the telecommunication tower on top.
 |
| Mt. Ampacao...with the telecommunications tower at its peak |
As 1st-time hikers, we were supposed to start our day early. However, due to the soreness of our weary muscles probably because of our previous day's hiking adventure to Bomod-ok Falls (Big Falls) and spelunking at the Sumaguing Cave, we had to rendezvous at the jump-off point with our guide (Zeph Agayo) at around 10:00AM. Jeff our ever reliable driver was the one who contacted Zeph.
The jump-off point is at the Ambasing Elementary School. The place is actually in the outskirts of the town. It is therefore advisable that you ask the locals on how to get there. We were just lucky that Mapiya-aw Pensione has their own service vehicle that we hired.
 |
| Jump-off point...the trail is the road on the right |
 |
| I like this...FREE JUNK FOOD!!! |
 |
| Ambasing Elementary School |
The 1st part of the trail is made of concrete, then it gives way to a rocky dirt road. While the trail is already very defined, but it is already an inclined climb from the very start. So for us newbies, this is already some sort of a challenge.
The cool fresh breeze of Sagada and the whistling of the pine needles will accompany you throughout the trail. I would say, Sagada maybe has one of the largest concentration of pine trees here in the Philippines.
 |
| The rocky dirt road begins |
As we went on our way, Zeph showed as the famous wild berries of Sagada. There is the red one and the black one.
Back on the trail, there are wooden gates along the trail which are meant to check the cows that graze in the area. Zeph said that cows freely roam in the area and they usually graze in the hills and mountains surrounding the Mt. Ampacao and Lake Danum area.
There is also a part in the trail that offers a splendid view of the Kapay-aw Rice Terraces.
The air gets cooler and the views becomes more impressive as you go up the trail. We were able to reach the "Clearing" (which I shall refer to as Marlboro Country) area after 45 minutes of hiking.
 |
| Wildberry |
 |
| One of the wooden gates |
 |
| Kapay-aw Rice Terraces |
 |
| Kapay-aw Rice Terraces |
The Marlboro Country / Clearing (
I think this is not the same Marlboro Country referred to by the people of Sagada) is a patch of land along the trail where cows and horses usually graze. It is here where campers usually pitch their tents should they wish to have an overnight commune with nature. Since it is devoid of any trees, the place offers an unobstructed view of the whole Sagada, Mt. Ampacao, and even the nearby town of Besao.
According to Zeph, most hikers just proceed to the trail leading to Lake Danum without bothering to summit Mt. Ampacao.
 |
| This tree will welcome you at the clearing |
 |
| Hunny at the Marlboro Country |
 |
| Bignay |
 |
| The Clearing as viewed from the trail leading to the Summit. |
From the Clearing, we just followed the trail on the left, and proceeded to a passage leading to the footpath going up the summit.
The trail is more or less concealed by trees and bushes, so be aware of where you are going. While there are really no technical parts of the trail, prudence is still recommended there are times when one has to thread the trail along a ravine.
 |
| Mt. Ampacao...with the Smart cell site |
 |
| This is the entrance to the trail leading to the summit...notice the wooden posts of the fence at the clearing |
 |
| It's now pure assault from hereon |
 |
| According to Zeph, Lake Danum is on the other side of the 4th hill/mountain |
 |
| Rest stop... |
Aside from wild berries, pitcher plants and mushrooms are also common along the trail. There are birds in the pine trees too.
 |
| Blackberry... |
 |
| Leave no trace...it seems the mountaineers here have a preference on Quatro Kantos. |
 |
| Sagada...the baseball field and St Mary's School is visible |
 |
| Resting on a ravine...yeah baby! |
 |
| shhhh...Hunny's sleeping |
 |
| Ogzie was here...immortalized |
 |
| Mushroom |
 |
| Pitcher Plant |
We reached the summit after 45 minutes. The view at the peak is really worth it. Since it was really our first time to summit a mountain, we all felt accomplished. We just can't believe that we made it.
At the summit, dogs that live at the cell site greeted us. But as we approach them, they retreated to the confines of their domain.
Zeph then pointed to us where Mt. Polis is, as well as, Mt. Tirad in Ilocos Sur. (This was later confirmed by Espi at Mapiya-Aw. She said that in the old days, people used to walk to Ilocos Sur just to barter.).
 |
| Almost there... |
 |
| At the Summit |
 |
| Amazing view...that is Besao on the left side |
After about 30 minutes of rest and picture-taking, we then decided to descend to the next peak after the Clearing.
We just had one problem, as 1st time hikers, we miscalculated the water that we need. What the heck, we each brought 1.5-liter bottles of water and it was simply not enough.
After about 30 minutes, we were again able to reach the clearing. We immediately went on to the next peak and chose a spot where we can eat lunch and rest our weary feet.
After about an hour, we were at it again. As we negotiate the rolling terrain from the 2nd peak, we saw a very big bird gliding above the pine forest until it suddenly swooped down. I really believe that what we saw at that time was a Philippine Eagle, if not, one of its closest kin. It was colored brown and a lot bigger than a hawk. Maybe its a different kind of bird, but you would really love the grace of that bird as it glides in the air.
 |
| It's time to go back to the Clearing...Lake Danum is next |
 |
| It's the trail from the summit to the clearing...also a shortcut according to Zeph |
 |
| On to the next peak... |
The trail in the succeeding peaks were all of rolling terrain, with occasional sudden inclines and descents.You will delve deep into pine forests and the sporadic rain will visibly add to the excitement.
According to Zeph, it is usually the locals who discover/explore the trails in Sagada in their effort to look for grazing land for their livestock all throughout the year.
As you near the end of the trek, houses become more visible on the right side of the trail. The road leading to Besao and Lake Danum is similarly visible. Just enjoy the cool Sagada breeze and the shade of pine trees in this part of the trail.
 |
| Mt. Ampacao is the 3rd peak at the other side of this mountain / hill |
 |
| Some of the occasional hurdles along the trail |
 |
| We are already on our 5th peak and are finally nearing Lake Danum |
The trail will end at a private property, there seems to be a store
but there were no minders at that time. We really hoped we can buy
something to drink but to no avail. In the end, we just went on and
proceeded to Lake Danum where we waited for our ride back to Mapiya-aw.
Should
you retrace your bearing, you will notice that the hike literally went
the entire stretch of the town as the peaks that you have traversed were
the ones that are visible on the left side of the town (as you face
North). We negotiated the trail in more than 6 hours, considered not really a simple feat for us bummers.
Hiking Mt. Ampacao is really a good
experience for us. It rekindled our eagerness to explore the outdoors,
so I hope it will do the same to you too.
 |
| Finally, Lake Danum....the road going to the private property that leads to the trail is on the right side |
***Tramping Diaries 001 (005.004.013)
Mt. Ampacao - traverse to Lake Danum
1800+ MASL
Jump-off point: Ambasing Elementary School
Brgy. Ambasing, Sagada, Mt. Province
Minor Climb
*Guides. Guides are readily available at the SAGGAS office at the town center. As for us, Zeph is a very capable guide. He also has this funny side that will make the trek a lot easier for you. He has a Facebook Account...just search for Zeph Agayo.
