I found myself trekking up another mountain trail today. This time, it was Mt. Maculot in Cuenca, Batangas. Maculot is a very popular day trip destination, especially for beginners. Like always, I didn't have much sleep the night before so I dozed off on the way. We passed by the STAR Tollway to Lipa and from there drove to Cuenca which is the next town.
It was a really straightforward hike. Most of the trail is covered by trees but as you neared the campsite, cogon grass greets you. It was an unusually sunny day today after several days of non-stop rain so we were quite lucky. Although, it's more tiring hiking under the sun. That's why I always pray for cloud cover especially when the trail is not shaded by treesAt the campsite, one is afforded great views of Batangas and Cavite, Batangas Bay, and even Mindoro. You'd be surprised also that halo-halo is available in one of the sari-sari stores at the campsite. And along the way, there are enterprising locals who sell buko juice and other drinks.
The best vantage point of course is that of the Rockies, a rocky formation which offers a panoramic view of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano. But you'll have to climb down and up a cliff to get there.Going down was a breeze. And we were back on the road in no time. For detailed information about Mt. Maculot, check out Pinoy Mountaineer.
i have already climbed that mountain! Ang galing!
ReplyDeleteI was unusually tired today but I survived! Haha!
ReplyDelete*sigh* this was the first mountain i ever climbed. it was fun! rain caught up with us as we were on our way down so what we did was just to sit on our buts and slide down the clearer paths.. saya! wish i could go again..
ReplyDeletewanna try to climb maculot by traveres!! so much fun.. pls try
ReplyDeletewe were there last aug. 20-21.. we followed the newest trail set up by AFP... its a hard and steeply trail.. and to consider also the loose soil to step on.. we literally crawled in a cogon grass..and finally after a 5-hr trek which started from 11 pm, we reached the summit at 4 am...what an experience!
ReplyDeletei was there sometime around last summer. it was a wonderful trek and my favorite one at that because of the rewarding view of Taal Volcano, Mt. Makiling, the Batangas Valley and Mindoro (it was a clear day.) We had the rockies all to ourselves and it was cool. even cooler was that i actually saw the rain clouds from makiling travel slowly towards maculot! and yes, maculot has probably the best view of taal lake, ever. no noise, just you and nature. :)
ReplyDeleteClimbed the mountain last 30 January 2010; we did the Traverse. It was such an experience. The stores on the campsite aren't there anymore though.
ReplyDeleteplease dont forget to drop by at the palengke lots of food stuff over there...thanks
ReplyDeletei was there lst may 22 and inabot kme ng mlakas n ulan on our way down.sobrang steep and hlos wla n view deck sa hba ng mga damo.
ReplyDeleteit was my first time to climb mt.maculot,it was so exciting eventhough mahirap akyatin and i really appreciate the ROCKIES....it was so nice to see.........
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