Mt. Arayat Traverse Day hike
Magalang and Arayat
Pampanga
Moving Time and Day(s):
5 Hours and 10 Minutes | 1 Day
19 January 2013
Mount Arayat – An
eminent and scenic mountain situated in the plains of Central Luzon. This
legendary mountain can be climb all throughout the year. There are two entry
points: Magalang and Arayat. We opted to do a traverse from Magalang to Arayat.
Here’s the sequence.
Brgy. Ayala, Magalang Jump off to Summit (North Peak)
At the end of the paved
road, we started our trek at 0830H. We took the new established trail and
followed the electric posts all the way to the summit. The trail is reasonably
wide and easy up to the last Station of the Cross. From the nipa hut (kubo), the
scenario became uphill similar to Mount Amuyao’s trail up to the summit. If you
wish to see the White rock, take the old trail. After 2 and half hours, we
reached the summit also known as north peak. A 270 degrees view was rewarded.
Far northern mountains and plains were best view so far in our day hike.
We took our lunch while
waiting for Christopher Buenaventura and Roxanne Dela Cruz, who experienced
difficulty. They (Sir Renan Toledo, Ishy
Samaniego, Adrian and the two left behind) decided not to proceed with our
traverse plan. I and Doc Lorecel persistently continued our plan. A lengthy hour
of trek was expected based on my itinerary and researched.
North Peak to South Peak via ridge
At 1220H, we resumed
our trek. Trail signs were established in the ridge all the way to the south
peak. Negotiating on boulders was the most exciting part for me. We headed to nowhere
and noticed that we were below the ridge line and the voice we heard from the
foreigners was gone. I went back and searched for the trail sign we’ve missed. At
last, I found the trail sign and the right way. We wasted almost 20 minutes. Haring
Bato was reached at exactly 1320H. The foreigners was there and taking some
rest. Photo ops muna! Haring bato is the
middle point between north and south peak. Mount Makiling has haring bato version too. We resumed our
trek at 1350H. Ascent to the south peak took for about 30 minutes from haring bato and appeared much steeper. South peak was dense with grass and no view. Campsite
is few meters away from the peak. The viewing deck is located near the
campsite. From there, the views were gratifying. Pampanga’s river, plains and
southern mountains were seen.
South Peak to Brgy. San Juan Baño, Arayat (Exit point)
Most part of the trail
is shaded with trees. There are view decks and trail sign along the trail. We
descended for about 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Mt. Arayat Traverse Day Hike Itinerary (Magalang-Arayat
trail)
0430 ETD Cubao | Take bus that will pass by
SM San Fernando (102php)
0545 ETA San Fernando
0615 ETD || Take jeep bound to Magalang
(35php)
0700 ETA Magalang | Breakfast | Buy supplies
Take tricycle then head to Brgy. Ayala (100/ tric)
0830 ETA Brgy. Ayala | Start trek
Follow the electric posts
1100 ETA Summit | North Peak | Lunch
1230 Resume trek | Head to south peak via
ridge
1300 ETA Haring Bato | Photo ops
1330 ETA South Peak | No view
1405 ETA Campsite | Head to viewing deck
1420 Descent
1600 ETA Brgy. San Juan Baño Arayat | Wash up
Take tric going to highway (15php/head)
Take
jeep bound to San Fernando (25php)
1900 ETA Manila (102php)
Trail and Hiking companions:
-Sir Renan Toledo
-Sir Ishy Samaniego
-Sir Adrian
-Doc Lorecel
-Sir Christopher Buenaventura
-Ma’am Roxanne Dela Cruz
-Sir Gelo and Ma’am Cherryl Agustin
