Entry Point: Sitio Loay (Loay Elementary School), Brgy. Zone 2, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur
Exit Point: Sitio Loay, Brgy. Zone 2, Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur (option to traverse to Langan Falls)
Elevation: 1,040 MASL (3,412 feet)
Days Required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 3 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail Class 1-3
Total Trail Length: 5.79 kilometers or 11:58 kilometers plus backtrail (7.2 miles)
Features: Characterized by having 8 stations where climbers can have an emergency camping. A few of these stations have stores owned and managed by the Bogobo natives have stores where snacks, drinks and buko fruit are available and they are grown with ornamental plants making them picturesque. The trail to the summit is an endless assault with small to average size rocks. The summit has a clearing offering 360-degree view.
Just one of the stations to relax and freshen tired body
This climb started when my Bamboo Peak Climb ended. From the Bamboo Peak jump-off, we took habal-habal ride to Sta. Cruz Bus Terminal which cost me P200 since I have to pay P100 for my guide. Then, from the bus terminal, was another habal-habal ride for P40 each for a total of P80 going to Loay Elementary School, the jump-off point. That P40 habal-habal was such a bumby ride. My God, I almost lost my ass on the way. But the habal-habal drivers were really good in navigating unevern and rocky roads, we never out of balance.
Yes, I climbed Bamboo Peak in the morning and in the afternoon, I climbed this mountain on November 6, 2022 and my entrance fee was P50. My climb here started at 1:45 P.M. It was actually hot at that time and since I was fully loaded with lunch, I felt sleepy.
The starting trail of coconut trees
My guide Rasta Man (Roben Tano) and I were the only trekkers at the trail since most of them climbed early in the morning. For Davawenos, this mountain is famous as a popular, challenging weekend hiking spot, often called the "celebrity mountain" for trail runners, known for its "Sea of Clouds," scenic views, and serving a training ground for bigger climbs like Mount Apo. Its fame comes from its accessible yet strenuous 5.79-kilometer trail at an elevation of 1,040 MASL summit. Like, my first climb of Bamboo Peak, this mountain is also an ancestral lands of the Bagobo-Tagabawa tribe.
Gradually, the trail can be seen with varied tree species
The trail from the start was a rolling one but still makes it exhausting was the extreme heat that I felt in every step I make. The trees do not completely cover the trail and so the heat of the sun invades the space of the trail we trek on.
The third station at 2:27 P.M.: such a very inviting sight
Rested at the third station after an endless assaults
Evidently, the mountain itself with the indigenous management of the Bagobo-Tagabawa natives has been beautified. Spaces in every station has been turned into beautiful gardens and the inviting bamboo benches were installed. I have not observed this kind of management in the mountains of Luzon. Indeed, the Bagobo-Tagabawa Indigenous Peoples Organization has integrated ecotourism with tribal culture and providing economic benefits to its member natives. This kind of management of the natives can also be observed in Bamboo Peak.
Manicured landscape and garden by the natives
I am amazed of how the natives maintained the landscaping and gardening. It was such a refreshing sight to the climbers. From time to time, you will see stations with highly maintained gardens.
This may not look endless assaults but they are
I have not encountered descent on the trails. Continuously, the trail is ascending and it's good that when I see a station, I obliged to stop and rest to breath some fresh air.
The next station at 2:41 P.M.
Just simply and accommodation for climbers who wanted to stay overnight or rest
A comfortable accommodation for those who wanted to rest at 2:58 P.M.
As we ascend, the air is becoming crisp and fogs are getting thicker. This gave me an advantage to feel more relaxing since at the start the heat I felt was like piercing my breath.
This is Station 5 at 3:05 P.M.
The crisped air gave me advantage to be comfortable in my trek. This was in contrary with what I experienced at the start of the trek. I just love the feeling.
This is a viewdeck and resting hut for tired climbers
Unfortunately, the viewdeck does not capture the view below
At 3:08 P.M., I was fully relaxing feeling the vibe of this very cool spot. This was such a different experience of the 105 mountains I already climbed. I have here a unique experience. These are the 105 mountains I climbed locally and internationally and you can see it by yourself my varied mountain climbing experiences.
Another viewdeck to relaxed on at 3:28 P.M.
Here I was at 3:30 P.M.
What made my climb here exciting was, I was looking forward of what the other station will offer in terms of the scenery and facility. Imagine, having such a long and comforting bamboo bench to sit on. That is quite rewarding especially when you lie down, the air gives a soothing effect in your skin.
Here I was at 3:32 P.M.
If you will notice, the intervals are so short, because I always hurry to get to the next point hoping it would be a different experience.
Ascending to higher elevation at 3:46 P.M.
At 3:49 P.M. I really rested in preparation for the last lap to the summit
Just entered the welcome marker to the summit at 4:01 P.M.
My scaling to the summit clocked 2 hours and 39 minutes in my own chill-chill pacing but this can be even reached at an hour if one seriously considering faster strides.
Stayed at the summit for 32 minutes
The neighboring mountains as captured from the summit
Roben and I descended from the summit at 4:41 and reached the jump-off point at 5:56 P.M. which means that our descent was 1 hour and 15 minutes.
So, from the jump-off point, we boarded a habal-habal for P40 each or a total of P80 going to Sta. Cruz Bus Terminal. Then, we took dinner at the bus terminal and while we were having dinner at the bus terminal, Roben sent somebody to buy for our food supplies for the following day which was our Mount Dinor day hike, November 7, 2022. From Sta. Cruz Bus terminal to Sinoron Gym for 7.3 kilometers or 18 minutes, we boarded a tricycle for P50 fare each or a total of P100. Then, from Sinoron Gym to Pilan Bridge was also a tricycle ride for P50 each or a total of P100. It was close to Pilan Bridge where Roben and I spent overnight from a friend's house. But we opted to pitch our tents outside that house. Next blog is our Mount Dinor hike.
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