Location: Brgy. Sinoron, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, Philippines
Entry Point: Sitio Pilan, Brgy. Sinoron, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur
Exit Point: Sitio Pilan, Brgy. Sinoron, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur
Elevation: 1,240 MASL (4,068 feet)
Days Required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 4 hours
Specs: Minor Climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail Class 1-3
Total Length: 9.75 kilometers or 19.15 kilometers plus backtrail (11.9 miles)
Features: The trail starts with the picturesque Pilan hanging bridge and after a series of ups ascents and descents is a creek crossing. It has rolling and open trails (it is like a walk-in-the-park) from jump-off point to the forest entry point. There are 2 stations (Bonghanoy and Panerio both with water source) and followed by three camp sites with Camp 1 having water source. Camp sites are close with each other with a distance of not more than 15-minute trekking. After Camp 1, follows shortly the forest which is a 45-minute cardiac assault to the summit. The summit offers no overlooking scenery as it is densely-forested area.
Entry Point: Sitio Pilan, Brgy. Sinoron, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur
Exit Point: Sitio Pilan, Brgy. Sinoron, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur
Elevation: 1,240 MASL (4,068 feet)
Days Required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 4 hours
Specs: Minor Climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail Class 1-3
Total Length: 9.75 kilometers or 19.15 kilometers plus backtrail (11.9 miles)
Features: The trail starts with the picturesque Pilan hanging bridge and after a series of ups ascents and descents is a creek crossing. It has rolling and open trails (it is like a walk-in-the-park) from jump-off point to the forest entry point. There are 2 stations (Bonghanoy and Panerio both with water source) and followed by three camp sites with Camp 1 having water source. Camp sites are close with each other with a distance of not more than 15-minute trekking. After Camp 1, follows shortly the forest which is a 45-minute cardiac assault to the summit. The summit offers no overlooking scenery as it is densely-forested area.
The mossy dipterocarp forest summit of Mount Dinor
Since we slept near Pilan bridge, we had an ample rest in the chilly evening, though my guide, Rasta Man (Roben Tano) assured me that he will cook for our breakfast and pack lunch. Thus, he woke up at 5:30 A.M. While I was already awake, I still stayed in my tent and later had a bath in a nearby faucet. We started the trek at 7:05 A.M.
This was the third mountain I climbed in Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur, where the other day was a twin-peak day climb of Bamboo Peak and Mount Loay. This one of Mount Dinor is a day climb.
Pilan Bridge: The jump-off point
Down Pilan Bridge is picturesque river with some boulders of rocks on it. When I saw it in the evening, I thought of having a swim of it, but in the morning it turned out to be cold.
Crossing the Pilar bridge
I was full of energy when I started the trek. The two mountains we climbed the other day served as my workout climbs for this mountain. Like, the other two mountains, this mountain charges P50 for the registration. The guide fee for this mountain is P750 with a ratio of 1 is to 5 for every one guide. Bamboo Peak and Mount Loay charge P500 for the guide.
A narrow concrete trail
After the Pilan bridge followed a narrow concrete trail gradually ascending. At the start of my trek, I can see tree species typical of Philippine lowland/montane forests, with prominent trees including the endemic Almaciga (Agathis philippinensis), various Ficus (Fig) species and possibly thorny ones like Flacourtia javanica.
Creek crossing at 7:21 A.M.
My guide, Roben Tano
The clear and clean inviting creek
The creek seems so inviting to look at, but when you touch it, it is as cold as a frozen ice. According to my guide, locals can harvest tilapia in this creek but fish harvesting for commercial purposes requires permit, but rarely permitted.
After a series of assaults trail turned to be rolling at 7:29 A.M.
Despite the morning cool temperature, I can feel that my body was being heated by endless assaults that we scaled. I only equipped myself with a one liter bottled water since my guide assured me that there are water sources along the trail.
Passing thru a Bagobo local's house at 7:40 A.M.
Meeting locals along the trail
Another Bagobo native's house at 7:59 A.M.
One of the livelihood of the locals is coffee production, as Davao region is known to be a coffee producer, where it accounts for 21% of the local coffee supply, making it the second-largest producer in the country. According to the local that I have asked, their coffee produce is considered to be high-quality Arabica coffee, known for its rich and earthly flavors.
Back to rolling trail at 8:01 A.M.
The third house at 8:02 A.M.
The fourth house at 8:09 A.M.
Who can resist with this rolling trail at 8:15 A.M.
Rubber trees along the trail
At 8:27 A.M., we passed through a trail where rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) are cultivated and they are planted for commercial use, suggesting their presence with those lush, biodiverse areas.
Resting at Bonghanoy Station at 8:46 A.M.
Bonghanoy Station offers panoramic sights of the Davao Gulf coastline and surrounding mountains like Mount Loay. It also has a store where basic necessities of a trekker can be bought. It has open huts where trekkers can take refuge from the heat of the sun or strong rains.
Bonghanoy station viewdeck
One of the best spots at Bonghanoy Station is its viewdeck. From there, the summit of Mount Dinor can be totally viewed. There is no entrance fee here.
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