MOUNT DINOR: A CHALLENGING MINOR CLIMB BUT REWARDING HIKING DESTINATION

 

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.

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.

The tree species at the start of the trek

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.

Panerio Station at 9:30 A.M.

Bamboo benches and Resting shade at Panerio Station

Emergency or for overnight camping accommodation

The view as captured from Panerio Station

On our way to Camp 1

Arriving at Camp 1 at 10:01 A.M.

Relaxing at Camp 1

Like the two stations we passed, Camp 1 has overflowing water source and more bamboo benches and a store where climbers can buy their necessities.  Obviously, with available accommodation at Camp 1, other climbers would even opt to stay there for an overnight or two as it offers lush, dense evergreen forests with endemic trees which provide a truly wild experience.  Exploring the camp, would enable guests to enjoy hidden waterfalls and refreshing, clear stream perfect for relaxation.

Guests and climbers alike can sleep here

In Camp 1, climbers will have the chance to see endemic birds like Sri Lanka blue magpie and other fauna, which indeed proves that it is a haven for nature lovers.  Locals can also identify for you medicinal plants, rare ferns, and beautiful orchids within the forest on its vicinity.  Even up to this point only, hiking experience can be maximized.

Camp 2:  Hibalay Campsite at 10:17 A.M.

A local's house after Camp 2

A waiting shade at 10:28 A.M. before entering to the lush forest

A rope support in steep ascent to the summit

Invaded the summit at 11:13 A.M.

From the start the trek from the jump-off point to the summit, I haven't seen any climbers who were with us.  Not even a single one was seen by me.  Well, maybe because November 7, 2022 is a Monday.  As per record, my trek to the summit clocked 4 hours and 9 minutes in a manner of an executive climb - no rush just simply walk like in the park. 

Victorious at the summit

At the summit of Mount Dinor, you won't get a wide panoramic view, because it's covered in dense, towering trees mostly of dipterocarp forest trees dominated by Almaciga trees.  It is a mossy forest with rich biodiversity with diverse birds like Philippine Honey Buzzards, Brahminy Kites, Serpent Eagles and tracks of wildlife such as Philippine Deer and Warty Pigs (as my guide told me).

Started descending after 17 minutes at cold summit

In descending, one needs to hold to the rope support since the trail is so steep.  This rope support extends from the summit and up to the entry point of the forest.

Exiting the main entrance to the dense forest at 11:54 A.M.

Rested in this hobbit-like hut at 11:58 A.M.

Back to Camp 1 at 12:46 Noon

Started descending from Camp 1 at 12:47 Noon

Capturing this scenery while on trail at 1:57 P.M.

Back to rolling trails at 2:31 P.M.

Crossing the creek at 2:51 P.M.

A selfie photo at the creek

Back in Pilan Bridge at 3:10 P.M. - the jump-off point.  Done!

This is the river down Pilan bridge

At exactly 3:13 P.M., I was at the jump-off point, the house where we stayed for overnight.  Then, we took habal-habal to Sinoron gym and from there another tricycle going to Sta. Cruz Bus terminal, where I treated my guide with a late sumptuous lunch.  Then, I boarded with an air conditioned bus going back to Davao City for approximately one and half hours to be reunited with my wife and son at Avida Towers at 7:20 P.M.  My wife cooked for a delightful dinner for us since we bought from the supermarket food supplies good for 4 days when we arrived in Davao City,

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