MOUNT BULBOK: A NEWLY OPENED TREKKING DESTINATION IN CAVITE

Location:  Maragondon, Cavite, Philippines
Jump-off Point: Brgy.  Pinagsanhan B, Maragondon, Cavite
Elevation: 645 MASL (2,116 feet)

Days required /Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-3 hours

Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail Class 1

Features:  Trails with few gradual assaults,  within the perimeter are grown with Acacia, Kakawate (Gliricidia sepium) and Ipil-ipil and other vegetation.  Trails vary from average forested area to open ones covered with cogon grass.  Initially, it starts with the quarried Mount Tala, the so called by the locals as Mount Quarry.  The summit offers a scenic view of the surrounding Maragondon mountain ranges.

Note:  The elevation was measured through the use of an Altimeter app.  If you have the most accurate measurement,  your information will be highly appreciated.

The trail leading to the summit (Model: Allan R. De la Trinidad)

DAY 1

This is my second climb within the pandemic time through an organizer.  It was an overnight climb where for the first day we just stayed overnight in a campsite at the jump-off point.  With that, I was able to explore the vicinity of the jump-off point.

The rough road leading to the jump-off campsite

We left Greenfield District in Mandaluyong at 5:30 A.M. and we arrived at the campsite at 9:22 A..M.  Prior to this, we have stayed for 20 minutes on the gate of Bonifacio Shrine, but we did not enter the place.  We have been delayed since we are supposed to pick-up joiners from SM Bacoor, however, our driver drove fast along Cavitex and so reaching its end, we need to go back to Bacoor again using the national road.

Relaxing at the campsite

When we arrived the campsite, there were a lot of campers there, but they broke camp so that they can trek to the summit.  Our group was left alone staying idle.  We had a hosted lunch and  so we were just killing our time.  However,  my colleague, Allan, who was with me explored the area after lunch.  We were looking for the best part of the river where we can have a swim.

Part of the trail we passed through

The trail we trekked through was a part of the river.  There is no enough water on the river.  The locals told us that during rainy season, one cannot walk along the river as its depth would rise up to 5 meters.  However, this time, some parts of the river are dry and there is only a narrow patch of it where water runs downstream.

A certain part of the river with a carabao soaking comfortably

At some point we need to just simply walk on the dry parts of the river but wade on some parts with a shallow-flowing water.  Then, cross to a trail where trees served like a canopy giving us a complete shade from the searing sun.

The river is down the trail

A certain 9-year old JM served as our guide.  He is actually the son of one of the two store owners operating at the campsite.  This time, we are heading to their house which is more than a kilometer away.  He assured us, there is a part of the river opposite to their house that we can swim.

Allan having conversation with JM's mother

JM's mom was very accommodating.  In fact, they provided us with free ripe banana for free and water.  Allan was having a conversation with her, while I was enjoying a bath from the cool river covered with thick trees which is just a few meters away from their house.

The following shots are my pictures while having my cool bath in the river.  Of course, Allan served to be my photographer.  He opted not to join me which gave me a favor since he will be my photographer.

According to JM's mom, the big rocks in the river and the protruding roots along the river are completely submerged during the rainy season with the water level rising to as high as 5 meters more from the water level you see in the picture.

Helping to feed the chickens and dogs

After rinsing from a nearby underground spring,  Allan and I stayed to chat with the whole family.  We had a long conversation where they treated us with ripe banana for free. Earlier, we bought ripe banana from roving locals P40 of two bunches of bananas.

The DENR observation deck

Just at the back from their house, we climb on a steep trail heading to the DENR observation deck.  JM was with us to serve as our guide.  Literally, it was a series of cardiac assaults.

At the DENR Observation Deck (Model:  Allan R. De la Trinidad)

The observation deck serves as a watch tower to see if there are wild fires on the nearby mountains.  From this point, we can see Mount Tala, Mount Santunisan and Mount Palpag.   Mount Bulbok is not visible since it is covered by the heights of the three mountains mentioned.  I learned from JM that by scaling Mount Bulbok, you need to start your ascent through Mount Tala, then to Mount Santunisan and Mount Palpag and only at the third mountain that you will see Mount Bulbok.

Liong Mabilog Water Falls

This water falls is just a 10-minute walk from the jump-off camp site.  During rainy season, this is partially submerged.  By the time we arrived, this has been crowded with campers.  Allan and I strolled to this place at around 4:30 P..M. when all campers and picnickers left.

Wading from this point to the campsite

It was completely an excellent late afternoon walk and we looked for some parts where we can enjoy the scenery.  Allan and I along with JM were the only ones enjoying the sceneries.

This is just a random shot on our way back to the campsite

We had so much time then, but our concern was to look for an area where can capture a network signal.  There is no commercially supplied electricity in the area, but they generate electricity through solar panel that they use to light up the campsite at night.  The network signal was extremely erratic.  I noticed that I kept on receiving messages in my mobile phone but the moment I go online, it kept on loading only.

Our tour organizer provided us with a sumptuous dinner. We really had a great gastronomic experience.  Those who summitted reunited with us at the campsite and the campsite was adorned with colorful lights.  The problem was, the campsite itself was in a low lying area surrounded by mountain ranges and so there was no wind to cool us up.  It was so warm inside our tents that we cannot sleep.  We were sweating while lying down.  Good that at almost midnight, there was a downpour and it cooled us up and sleeping invaded our senses.

DAY 2

The start of the trek

The previous night during our socials, it was agreed that we start the trek at 5:00 A.M. so that it will not be too hot.  However, our organizers who were also our guides woke up late and there was not hosted breakfast meal served.   We were given coffee  to drink but I took my own Swiss Miss and bread.  I am not used not to eat rice for breakfast and so I felt weak then. We started our trek at 6:45 A.M.

Scaling Mount Tala (Model:  Allan R. De la Trinidad)

I was not feeling well at the start of the trek.  My stomach was desperately looking to be filled with rice and viand, but to no avail.  I was at the tail of the group.  I have no energy then to trek.

The passable road by quarrying vehicles

Initially, the trek started scaling Mount Tala.  We were strutting on a very wide road used by the quarry trucks.  Mount Tala is gradually losing its topographic identity as the continuous quarrying is eating up its height bringing to a lowered elevation.

Our group approaching Mount Tala's peak

If you will see, most part of Mount Tala  is quarried.  It is saddening that though quarrying is illegal, the local government of Cavite does not recognize or abide the law on anti-quarrying.

The denuded peak of Mount Tala

Based on the reading of our Altimeter app, the peak of Mount Tala was at 101 MASL or 331 feet above sea level.  Whether is it was accurate or not, I wouldn't care much less, because I knew that in just less a time, this elevation reading will even be significantly reduced due to continuous quarrying. The ascent to Mount Tala was just 25 minutes.  

The open trails after Mount Tala

According to JM's mother, after Mount Tala, we are going  to scale first Mount Santunisan and Mount Palpag.  But our guides have no idea about this.  For the 1 1/2 hours trekking, Mount Bulbok was not visible to us.

With our guide waiting for others for regrouping

The trails were consist of gradual assaults.  There were no big boulders and roots to step on.  It was simply walking.  We rarely had take five.

An uprooted tree along our trail (Model:  Allan R. De la Trinidad)

The sight of Mount Bulbok peak visible after 1 1/2 hours trekking

As far as I can remember, we had scaled two major and continuous assaults and I want to assume that these are the peaks of  Mount Santunisan and Mount Palpag.   However, I am not sure.

Trail leading to the summit was gradual

Noticeably, the trails are not that highly abused, because only a few mountaineers are on this mountain.  Some parts of thickly covered with grasses.

The campsite near the summit

The campsite has been erected with a DENR monitoring team house, but is already abandoned.   I suppose, the place is perfect for an overnight camping.  However, it can only accommodate few tents.

The DENR Project Marker at the campsite

From this elevation, Mount Marami and Mount Palay-Palay (Pico de Loro) are visible to the contour of the mountain ranges.

The water source near the camp site

There is no problem to camp at the DENR abandoned project monitoring house, since there a water source just a few steps away.  The water is safe for drinking and you can even take a bath if you like.

The shoulder campsite at a distance

From the shoulder campsite, it will take another 30 minutes to ascend to the summit.  And yes!!! the scenery this time is stunning.

On my way to the summit

Noticeably, the trail going to the summit is not really established.  Usually, those who climb here according the one guide (not our guide) I talked  to are simply satisfied to the abandoned DENR house.

Pursuing to scale the summit

The stunning view as captured from the summit

Finally, according to our Altimeter app, the elevation is measured to 645 MASL or 2,116 feet above sea level.  Mount Marami only measures an elevation of 405 MASL of its peak while Mount Palay Palay is at 664 MASL.

Of course, Allan my photographer was with me to the summit

I was just surprised that our two guides were not interested to lead us to the summit. They just told us to go ahead and they will follow, but they never did. I was disappointed that while Allan and I were pushing to the summit, the rest of them descended heading back to the DENR abandoned house.  It was only Allan and me who pursued the summitting.  The rest of the group did not bother also to scale the summit.  They were only halfway to it.

One of the trails as we backtrailed

After 20 minutes rest at the DENR campsite, we proceed with our descent.  This time, I was meticulously looking at the trail with appreciation.  I kept on capturing shots.

A far off tail-ender

I asked my guide to leave me at the tail end, because I kept on scrutinizing the beauty of the trail.  It annoys me when somebody at my back is waiting when I am capturing pictures.  Besides, I can not tell them, to make it fast so that they cannot be captured.  

My travel buddy, Allan occasionally stops and wait for me

Avoiding to be too close to the rest of the group

No! I was not ahead of him.  This is a scripted picture while we were at rest

Mind you, they were waiting for me.  They thought I am already in trouble.

I just love the sight of this tree along the trail

Fortunately, some parts of the trail are averagely forested and so we had cover from the heat of the sun.  At this point, we were already backtrailing for 1 hour and 35 minutes.

Back to the denuded trail of Mount Tala

It was too hot when we strutted on the open trails of Mount Tala.  That time, it was around 12:00 high noon. Imagine, having no breakfast for rice.  How can I have the energy to trek more?

It was really hot!!!

My "eat my dust" distance from my travel buddy

A long descent from Mount Tala

I still have water to drink but I preferred not to drink it since, it was as hot as the sun's temperature.  Thus, it cannot quench my thirst.

Still far from the jump-off point camp site

Descending Mount Tala gave no cover.  Thus, you have no reason to take five for a rest, but to walk despite having a heavy feet and heart.

My unmindful continuous steps had led me to arrived third to the campsite arriving at 12:35 noon at the place.  Our organizers gave us our brunch with boiled sweet potato, corn and banana as our snacks.  They were cooked while we were on the mountains. That was a great hosted brunch.  At around, 2:00 P.M. we have another meal, they  said it was for lunch.  Salad was served then. Great food!  Thankful to the good chef we had.  We left the place at 3:30 P.M. and arrived home at around 6:30 P.M.  I missed the Sunday Mass.

CONTACT PERSONS:

For this climb during the pandemic, it is easier to avail a tour package for this with the organizer,  Erwin Lazaro Doringo who can be contacted through his mobile number at 09128350516 or one of his tour coordinators  (the cream of the crop) Mark "Untong" Rodil with mobile number at 09952346727.