Tara na Maglaro sa ULAP

Mt. Ulap

Itogon, Benguet

I am not so afraid of heights!

One of the benefits of hiking is widening your social circle. When I hiked Mt. Katayagan a few months back, I met some Baguio mountaineers through my friend Ronald. We agreed that they will take me to Mt. Ulap by November. During my work break that month and just a week after climbing Mt. Apo, I finally set foot to Mt. Ulap.

Standing at 1846masl, Mt. Ulap is the favourite mountain for a day hike in Benguet province with only 40 minutes drive from Baguio City. It is also easy to arrange the hike DIY style, no need to book for organized tours.

Leaving Agoo very early in the morning with my trustworthy FiFi (my car), Ronald and I picked up Ganie Moore (Mogs) in Baguio City. We dropped by at an eatery in front of Sitel Call Center in Loakan Road and had a breakfast of eggs and hot dogs. After  eating, I continued driving and took the road going to Philex Padcal mines. During the trip, we rolled down our windows and enjoyed the pine scented breeze and scenic views dotted with vibrant sunflowers. I remember Mogs talking about his "napurnadang" love life!!! Hahaha.

We arrived at Ampucao barangay hall around 7am and we registered our names right away and paid 100Php each. A local guide is mandatory and so we hired one for 600PhP. Since I brought Fifi, we also paid for additional parking fee. After 30 minutes in the barangay hall, we started the trek.

The trail can be divided into four segments. The first part is a pine forest leading to the first peak called Ambanaw Paoay. It starts with a steep trail that will definitely make you catch your breath. There's also a view deck where the second and third peaks of Mt. Ulap eco-trail can be seen.

The pine forest trail.

View from the view deck.

Man-made rock displays at the first peak.

Always a Mautaineer.

The second segment is composed of hilly grasslands leading to Gungal Rock which is the second stop along the eco-trail. Gungal Rock is the most famous among the three peaks for it features a metaconglomerate overhang where tourists and hikers alike line up for a buwis buhay shot. Gungal Rock, seen from a lower angle, resembles Pride Rock in the Lion King movie wherein the newborn Simba was held by Rafiki for all the animal kingdom to see. 

Gungal Rock.

Trail to Gungal Rock.

Lone tree.

Rest stop. Winds were blowing so hard that day.

The third segment is an open grassland leading to the third peak which is the actual summit of Mt. Ulap. A marker was in place boasting the 1846masl elevation of Mt. Ulap. Since the peak is an open grassland, a panoramic 360 degree view of the surroundings can be experienced. Prominent features are Kennon Road, Baguio City, Philex tailings dam, San Roque dam and Mt. Arayat just to name a few.

Conquered my first Cordilleran mountain.

A view of Philex tailings DAM 4.

Mt. Ulap's peak.

The last segment is a forested steep descent dotted with sari sari stores down to the exit point. There is one store named 7-11 because it is open 24-7 (open at night time for campers). I observed that as you go down, the price of goods and merchandise get cheaper. It was amazing to see souvenir dri-fit shirts sold on this segment of the trail.

Herding my cattles. 

Mt. Ulap's 7-11 shop.

One of the many hanging bridges leading to the exit point. Notice the doggie too.

Mt. Ulap is special to me for it is my first Benguet mountain -  my initiation to the beautiful Cordilleras. Composed of pine forest trails and open grasslands, the hike is scenic, from start to finish. But the best thing I loved about Mt. Ulap is the cool, crisp air. The air is very clean and if my memory serves me right, it could be the cleanest air I have ever breathed. Another positive I observed in this mountain is the absence of trash to which our guide disclosed that they conduct a regular clean-up drive in order to maintain the cleanliness of the eco-trail.

My Kamote and vlogger friend Ronald.

After the hike, my friend Ronald treated me to a lunch of  Baguio's best bulalo paired with ice cold coke. Dapat lang! Cos I drove back to Agoo while he slept soundly in the passenger seat.

Climb Date: November 16, 2017

Summit Elevation: 1846mASL

Difficulty Rating: 3/9

Jump-off Point: Brgy. Ampucao, Itogon

Exit Point: Brgy. Sta. Fe, Itogon

Days Required/Hours to Summit: 1 day/2-3 hours

Features: Pine forests, open grasslands, scenic ridges

Geology: Metasediments

Guide: Mandatory guide assigned at the registration area

Contact Person: none, easy to DIY

Tayo