Mt. Maculot - Rockies.Summit

While the world celebrates the Lunar New Year (more popularly known here in the Philippines as “Chinese New Year”), Gani and I decided to have our first climb for 2014.

Actually, since we are scheduled to climb the venerable Mt. Pulag later this February, we decided that it would be better for us to schedule practice climbs before we thread the trails of the famous Cordillera Mountain Range up north.

 

Mt. Maculot...taken from the Cuenca Public Market

So when Allan (our schoolmate during our formative years) invited us to join their scheduled climb in Mt. Maculot, we immediately accepted the offer.

Located in the town of Cuenca, Batangas, Mt. Maculot is one of the most famous Philippine mountains that are preferred by mountaineers to train newbies owing to its relatively easy trail. Nevertheless, many hardcore mountaineers still schedule hikes to this Mountain not only because of its proximity to Metro Manila, but also there is the nearby “Rockies” that is famous for one of the most magnificent views of the Taal Lake, including of course, Taal Volcano.

While Allan and his officemates from CBRE went on to use public transportation, hence they had to meet at one of the bus stations along Gil Puyat Ave., cor. Taft Ave., in Pasay City at 4:00AM. On the other hand, since I chose to use Jaff, I only had to fetch Allan’s brother (Jejo) somewhere in Quezon City and Gani near their place in Mandaluyong.

From EDSA, we passed by the South Luzon Expressway and proceeded to the Southern Tagalog Arterial Road (also known as STAR Tollway). From Tambo Exit (Lipa City) we took a left turn, went straight passing by Fernando Air Base, until we arrived at the junction going to Cuenca. One should take note that the road going to Cuenca is on the right, as the road on the left leads to Batangas City.

From there, travel time to Cuenca is still about 25 to 30 minutes. One still has to pass by a zigzag road and watch out for the 7-11 convenience store on the left side of the highway because Cuenca Public Market is just across it.

In case you are taking public transportation, just ride the bus going to Lemery and tell the conductor to drop you at the Cuenca Public Market. You may likewise take the bus bound for Batangas City, alight from the bus anywhere from the Tambo Exit of the Star Tollway until the junction going to Cuenca. From there you may take the jeepney going to Cuenca or Lemery, and then look for the landmarks mentioned above.

At the Market, there are tricycles available to take you to the jump off point. On your way, you will pass by the registration area and pay P20.00.

As for us, we first decided to have breakfast at one of the eateries in the Market. Since I was really starving at that time, I ordered Lomi and Dinuguan. For my lunch, I bought grilled pork. After a brief rest, we decided to start hiking.

Dinuguan and Lomi

Registration Area

At the jump off point, we had our customary prayer and Allan conducted a briefing on the basic rules in mountaineering that we ought to keep in mind. Of course, most of us in the group are newbies, while I still consider myself as a novice since I was about to summit my second mountain at that time. We started to hike at about 6:30AM so that we can have more time to enjoy the famous “Rockies” of Maculot.

While challenging for beginners like us, the trail is really established and there are markers leading the way. The thick canopy of the trees along the trail likewise makes the hike more bearable. However, the things that give Mt. Maculot a distinctive appeal to newbies are the presence of wooden chairs that serve as rest stops for the weary mountaineers and the presence of buko juice and halo-halo vendors along the trail and at the campsite.

Mountaineers' Hangout / Manang's Store (T-shirts are available here for sale)

A few words of encouragement...and a brief prayer

One of the many stops...

Up we go...

Buko Juice...

Campsite...going to the Rockies

After hiking for about one hour and a half, we finally reached the campsite which according to one of the mountaineers that accompanied us is also known as Mt. Macatmon. We then turned left and went straight to the Rockies.

The Rockies is a rock mountain along the edge of the Taal Lake, which offers a panoramic view of the whole Taal (Volcano) Island. One would need to hike about 20 minutes from the campsite to reach the Rockies. It is what really made Mt. Maculot famous. No wonder, most people who climb the mountain, especially those who are not really into mountaineering never choose to climb the summit of Mt. Maculot. Nevertheless, the Rockies can get very crowded during weekends (especially now that I have seen a number of tour groups during our climb) and strong winds usually batter the area. Hence, an additional ounce of care is always recommended.

The view at the Rockies is really awesome; it uplifts your weary head and would make you forget the world for a while. As a result, we spent two hours there for picture taking alone. Never blame a camwhore if the view before you really blows away whatever worries you might have.

To the Rockies

Mountaineers?

"The Rockies"

Please tow the line...

Taal Lake

I was here...immortalized

Allan going to the "Dila ng Rockies"

Weehee

Allan and Jaimel

Panorama

After having lunch at the campsite, a number of us who are still eager for some climb decided to proceed to the summit. The trail going up the summit is more or less the same as the trail from the jump-off to the camp site. However, I find the vegetation on this part of the forest more interesting and the chirping of birds is more prevalent. From the camp site, we still had to hike for an additional 1 hour and 15 minute before we reached the summit.

"7-11" (in mountaineering parlance means a store anywhere in the trail/campsite/summit where you can buy basic necessities)

Mt. Maculot as viewed from the Rockies

The Rockies, from the trail going to the Summit

At the summit, there are trees and bushes that offer shade from the searing heat of the sun. The Rockies is also visible, similar to the Taal Volcano (Island). We decided to rest and had about an hour of chitchat before descending back to the jump-off point. While we really wanted to do a traverse (MacTrav), the fact that we did not inform the personnel at the registration area about this made us to reconsider the proposal and decided to do the traverse next time.

From the summit, it took us about 1 hour and 45 minutes to descend to the jump-off point (Manang’s Store). Here we spent the rest of the afternoon sharing stories and reliving our own experiences. The good think about mountaineering is that you get to challenge yourself, test your limits, live through your fears and limitations, stick out of your shell, and gain new friends.

Wildflower

Mossy

At the Summit

Taal Volcano

A very long rest at the Summit

Rockies as seen from the Summit

Gani enjoying the Hammock

***Notes

Tramping Diaries 002 (001.031.014)

Mt. Maculot

947 MASL / 3107 FASL

Cuenca, Batanga

Jump-off Pt.: Brgy. "7" (Siete), Cuenca, Batangas

Highlights: Established / friendly trails; forest; prominent rest stops; View of the Rockies and Volcano Island
Minor Climb

The Rockies
706 MASL
Highlights: Excellent view of the Taal Lake and Taal Volcano (Island), and the rest of Cavite and Batangas 

 Guides. The hiring of guides are not required since there are trail signs that lead you the way.

Rockies. It can really get crowded at the Rockies, especially during weekends and holidays. It is also exposed to the sun rays so better start your hike early. This will also give you more time to enjoy the scenery and take pictures.

There is a way to the "dila ng Rockies" on the northern part, but it really is a leap of faith since you will not really see the part of the rock where you shall make your initial step.

Traverse. Those doing the traverse, known as "MacTrav" in mountaineering parlance, must inform the people at the registration area that they intend to do same. According to the locals, you will not be allowed to go down the other side of the mountain unless you do the same.

Others. Parking is free at the Mountaineers' Hang Out (hut/house just after the concrete road), however the parking fee near the residential houses is worth P50.00 for the whole day.