Mt. Makiling Traverse Day hike
Trail: Sto. Tomas, Batangas – UP Los Banoz, Laguna
Moving time and Day(s): 5 hours and 50 minutes | 1 day
June 30, 2012
Sometimes, great hike doesn’t need to be well planned. There are
only few things one must consider: time of departure and arrival, purpose,
trail and the environment of the mountain. Sir Peter, Sir Francis and I agreed
to hike Mt. Makiling in a day and the decision was made in just 2 days before
the climb. Both of them are eager to do Makiling traverse in a day. For me, it
was a great opportunity to accomplish MakTrav Day hike.
We took our breakfast in Sto. Tomas Market and bought some
supplies. Then, we headed to Brgy San Bartolome to start our dayhike. My first
climbed in Makiling was three years ago (2009) via the same trail but the jump
off was in Brgy. San Miguel. In San Bartolome, the trail is more established
than in San Miguel. The trail of the first leg assault is between two fences.
We encountered two gentlemen from nowhere (you know what I’m talking about) and
they were nice. The grass is dense and taller than me.
There are no banana
trees in the trail and no more 4x4 trekking. I think it was the trail running
events which made the trail more established. Many have changed but didn’t
exploit Makiling.
Limatik is now present after the grassland area and
more are infested at the wild boar campsite. The trail sign in the wild boar
site was confusing because of the multicolored signage (red, pink, yellow,
blue). The ribbon was all over the place. We took the pink/red trail sign and
wasted 15 minutes in the wrong trail. We did back track and followed the yellow
ribbon. It seems we were the first hikers in that day and limatik have their
early feast on us. I had beaten 5x in my legs as also my climbing companions
were.
We took our very early lunch at 0915H in the summit or Peak 1 and of
course limatik were trying to take their part. After one hour in the peak, we
continued our trek. After 50 minutes of trekking, we reached Peak 2 then we
decided to took a bit more of rest there because we have sufficient time. We
spent 3 hours in Peak 2 while drinking and talking. One group of freelance
hikers arrived then we talked to each other.
It was fun and successful day hike
and also for limatik having their festival that day. We took 1 hour and 30
minutes to reach Makiling Rainforest Station. We ate meryenda then, my friend
took a snap. We took a bath at the Visitors Registration area then, we headed
back in Manila.
Mt. Makiling Traverse Day hike Itinerary
0400
ETD Manila (G. Puyat)
0515
ETA Sto. Tomas Market
Breakfast | Buy supplies
0600
ETD going to Brgy. San Bartolome
0605
ETA San Bartolome Baranggay Hall
0615
Start trek
0830
ETA Wild boar Campsite
0915
ETA Peak 1 / Summit
Early lunch
1015
Resume trek; Head to Peak 2
1105
ETA Peak 2
Relax; Enjoy and feel the nature
1400
Resume descent
1440
ETA Boy scout campsite
1530
ETA Makiling Rainforest Station
Eat; Meryenda; Sleep
1700
ETA Visitors Registration area
Wash up / clean up
1745
ETD
2030
ETA Manila
Budget and Expense
90 Bus Fare (Manila to Sto. Tomas Market)
35 Breakfast meal
15 Tricycle fare (Market to San Bartolome
Brgy. Hall)
8 Jeep fare (UPLB to Bayan)
45 Mami and soft drinks
79 Bus Fare (Los Banos to Manila)
36 Gatorade
10 Rice
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322.00php - TOTAL
