Mt. Ulap Eco-Trail

MT. ULAP ECO-TRAIL


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Location: Ampucao, Itogon, Benguet, Philippines.
Trail: Tomtombek-Sta. Fe Ridge traverse (or backtrack).
Contact Number: 0928-483-1133; 0921-729-2726; 0946-340-4561.
Registration Area: Ampucao Barangay Hall
Registration Fee: Php100.00 per person.
Guide Fee: Php400.00  (max of 10 persons per guide). This will double to Php800.00 if you decide to camp for a night.
How to get there:
·         From Baguio City. Take a PUJ bound to Samuyao or Ampucao. The loading station is located behind Jollibee Magsaysay and beside Orion Drug. There's a couple of tarpaulins indicating “loading area for Mt. Ulap” posted near it. Fare as of April 2016 is Php31.00. Just inform the driver that you need to drop at the Ampucao Barangay Hall for the Mt. Ulap hike registration. PUJ fare from Sta. Fe to Baguio City is Php50.00.
·         From outside CAR. Take a bus bound to Baguio City. Follow above information.

Description
A newly formalized hiking destination, Mt. Ulap Eco-Trail, a less-than-an-hour drive from Baguio City, offers six stations which boast majestic views of Cordillera mountains, pine forests, grassland ranges, man-made stone stacks, picturesque boulders, and a faraway glimpse of the San Roque Dam and Philex mining area.

Mt. Ulap Eco-Trail is in close proximity to Baguio City unlike other popular hiking destinations in the region such as Mt. Ugo and Mt. Pulag. Travel time would be about 45 minutes depending on the traffic at the central business district. En route, you will pass by Camp John Hay, Philippine Military Academy, and Texas Instruments. Don’t get confused with the arch indicating Ampucao Elementary School at the drop-off area. Both the elementary school and barangay hall are located in the same compound. There is a table for registration with logbooks for Baguio City and NCR hikers attended by an officer. You will pay here the registration fee and guide fee. You will be assigned a guide according to the local queuing. An environmental orientation by your guide is a must before leaving the barangay hall. There are foods and bottled drinks peddled in the area, so don’t get nervous when you forgot to buy bottled water for the hike. There’s clean comfort rooms in case you need to attend to nature’s call or change clothes before the hike.

There are six stations along the trail. Tomtombek, the first station, is an easy walk from Ampucao Barangal Hall. A raised metal welcome board showing the stations marks the beginning of the upward assault. The next station, Ambanao Paoay, a 1,788 mASL peak, is adorned with man-made stone stacks. You may add your own design in here. Careful however not to erect it along a footpath. Camping is allowed at the lower portion of this station. Also, along this station, a portion of the San Roque Dam and Philex mining area can be seen. The third station, Gungal, at 1,814 mASL is characterized with rock boulders. Some tourists say that this part is the highlight of the trek. Taking a solo shot at the famous, pentacle-vandalized, Gungal rock seems to appeal to most hikers, thus making this the most populated station during the day. The fourth station and the 1,846 mASL summit, Mt. Ulap, is covered with grass. A concrete marker is seen in its highest point inscribed with the name of the Engineer who surveyed the area. Most of the campers favour this area than in Gungal. For campers, the magical sunset and sunrise is often sought here. There is a store and two open pit comfort room near the camping area. The fifth station, Pong-ol burial cave, is now closed to the public. Desecration of the sacred place as well as dangerous path are the reasons for its closure. Midway along the downhill path to the fifth station is a barricaded burial rock left. However, only a few bones were left by mummy thieves. Sta. Fe, the sixth station, marks the end of the trek.

Officially launched on 31 October 2015, hiking through Mt. Ulap Eco-Trail now means paying standard fees and adhering to its rules and regulations. According to a local guide, tour guide fees costs about Php500.00 before its official opening. Environmental prep talks is not done thus vandalism as well as desecration of the sacred burials areas is uncommon. As of April 2016, the Pong-ol Burial Caves is now closed to the public.

Reminders
·         Practice the Leave-No-Trace (LNT) principle when visiting and camping.
·         Do not vandalize the stone and tree trunks.
·         Closing of registration at Ampucao Barangay Hall is 2:00PM. If you are a slow hiker, register before lunch or earlier if you don’t intend to camp for the night.
·         The fees including the guide fee are standardized. There’s no bargaining for lower price. Take note that the fees are lower compared to other eco-trails.
·         During holidays and weekends, registration starts as early as 4AM. However, to make sure of the availability of an officer at the barangay hall, It doesn’t hurt to inform the Tourism Council through the numbers listed above.
·         To those who are not regular hikers, take time to prepare yourself physically and mentally.
·         The foot paths are slippery during rainy season. However, you still need to be vigilant during summer because the dried soil easily crumbles under when stepped on.

Gallery

The metal signage that marks the start of the six stations.


These are the sic stations of the Eco-Trail. However, to protect and preserve the sacred burial site, the Pong-ol Burial Cave is now out of the regular trail offering.


The trail is slippery during rainy season but the danger is as much present during summer. You need shoes that can conquer the dry, brittle and pebbled footpaths. Sprained ankle is one of the most common injuries to hikers during summer.


These are gates for cattle. Never open and pass through these gates; use the wooden makeshift stairs.


This is the first boulder along the trail where you can have a glimpse of the picturesque Itogon, Mt. Ugo, and even the mountains of Pangasinan.


A typical yet enthralling view of The Cordillera.


Pine trees and more pine trees but you’ll never get tired of it.


A corral for cattle branding.


Notice that most of the trunks are scorched. During summer, the dried pine needles are very combustible. Please be responsible not to cause fire during your visit [to any mountain].


A patch of pine tree saplings.


You will notice a lot of fallen trees. This was caused by previous tropical storms.


Cattle herd near the Ambanao Paoay peak.


Ambanao Paoay, the second station, is adorned with man-made stone stacks. This peak and its neighbour peak are cluttered with rocks, thus, often named as twin peaks.


The trail ahead as it snakes along the side and on top of the mountain as seen from Ambanao Paoay.


Pinit (Rubus niveus Thumb.), an indigenous wild berry in Cordillera, are commonly seen along the trail. This wild berry is edible.


Grassy sloped and sometimes dotted with pine trees is but one of many of what the Eco-Trail can offer.


Even the dead pines trees have their own charm.


Grass-covered mountain top.


Pine trees and grassland: a perfect duo for the eyes.


You’ll love this more with a clear blue sky background.


We’re not there yet.


You need to be sure-footed.


Survivor pine tree.


Of ferns and stones.


Those seconds when you just want to sit and marvel at the beauty of the mountains.


Another boulder for photo ops.


Another angle of the previous picture.


Let’s continue the trek.


Further along the trail.


Like walking at the top of the world.


Grace even during death.


And we are at Gungal station!


The famous pentacle-vandalized Gungal rock, where the heaviest hiker traffic happens. When taking a selfie, dangling your feet at the edge is now prohibited.


The trail out of Gungal station.


A closer look at the grass that covers the mountains.


Grassland ho!


More grassland.


The lines seen in the photo are actually cattle  paths made for years.


Never pull sapling when heaving your body upwards along difficult trails.


A downhill path before the upward assault to the summit.


These fences either denotes the boundary of land ownership or serves as safety barricade for cattle.


  
Another indigenous plant along the trail.


A mossy area near the summit.


The marker at the highest point at the summit. Engineer Lagman is the first surveyor of the then known as Pong-ol mountain. However, he forgot the name and just wrote what he saw, obviously, ulap (clouds).


The summit—Mt. Ulap.


Start of descend from the summit.


More cattle!


Cattle close up.


Another angle.


A glimpse of where we've walked.


The camping site.


A stall selling refreshments near the campsite.


The camp site has a nice flat surface.


Parts of the downhill trail were steps made with pine branches.


Shower areas, refreshments stalls and souvenir shops are available along Sta. Fe.


Concrete foot paths near the road.


You will pass through a number of hanging bridges.


OKKALONG FALLS

OKKALONG FALLS


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Location: Cabalitocan, Luna, La Union, Philippines
Major Jump-Off Area: Municipal Plaza, Luna, La Union
Contact Person: Tito Gorospe (Tourism Officer): 09158072728 (Mobile No.) OR (072) 607 0099 / 607 1132 (Landline)
Registration Fee: Php10.00
How to Get There:
·         From Manila or Baguio City, take a bus bound to Laoag, Vigan or Abra. Drop at Municipal Plaza, Balaoan, La Union. Take a tricycle near the Seven-Eleven Store to Luna town proper. Regular fare is Php10.00 while Php50.00 if you hire the tricycle. Take another tricycle to Okkalong Falls at Php200.00 round trip fare with waiting time. One-way travel time is about 20 minutes.
·         From San Fernando City, La Union, you can take a Luna-bound jeepney. Otherwise, follow the travel plan for those coming from Manila or Baguio City. Bus ride from San Fernando City to Balaoan costs Php30.00 for ordinary buses. Travel time generally takes about 45 minutes.

Description
Okkalong Falls (also Ukkalong Falls) is located in the mountainous barangay of Cabalitocan, Luna, La Union. Contrary to its name, it is not actually a water fall but an about 10-feet water cascade draining to a pool about the size of a half volleyball court. The pool is surrounded with tall trees, thus, getting sunburnt is less likely a problem. The area is obviously well-kept and is dotted with ornamental plants and orchids. Interestingly, there is a monkey in collar near the sari-sari store, probably for additional attraction purposes.
Amenities in the area include a small sari-sari store, a makeshift comfort room, and a shed with tables and benches. The shed is built primarily as a haven when raining.
Probably due to its size, Okkalong Falls is not as popular as Tangadan Falls in San Gabriel, La Union. However, locals flock to this area during summer and holidays.
Please be honest in paying the registration fee. The meagre registration fee goes to the maintenance of the area. Though Okkalong Falls is a small tourist attraction, it is regularly maintained even during off-peak season.
There is a footpath from Okkalong Falls that snakes up to the mountain. About 30-45 minutes uphill walk would lead you to a clearing that gives a panoramic view of the municipality with the sea as the horizon. Give another 30-45 minutes uphill hike and you will be blessed with a 360-degree view with the mountains of Bangar, Balaoan and Bacnotan in the eastern part.
Other notable tourist attractions in this municipality are the pebble-covered beaches, Baluarte ruin (Biyak na Bato) and Bahay na Bato.

Reminders:
·         If there is a sudden heavy downpour during the rainy season, do not linger in the river as it may swell to a dangerous level at any point in time. Cancel your trip if there is a continuous heavy downpour in the municipality.
·         Do not vandalize the stones by marker pens or etching upon it.
·         Stones along the river could be slippery.
·         Do not climb beyond the water cascade.
·         Do not wash things such as used plate, oily hands, etc. in the pool. Use the lower part of the river near the entrance for such activities.

Gallery

Okkalong Falls is quite popular among Luna locals. If you want solitude in a fresh water park, this is more convenient than the heavily-populated rivers and water falls in La Union.

The pool is about half a volleyball court and not deep.

Halfway to the top of the mountain, about half an hour uphill trek from Okkalong Falls, you can have a panoramic view of the municipality with the West Philippine Sea as the horizon.


At the top of the mountain in Cabalitocan, about an hour uphill walk from Okkalong Falls, the mountains of Bangar, Balaoan, and Bacnotan gives a breath taking panorama.

LA UNION CENTENNIAL TREE (ALSO KNOWN AS CARCARMAY ACACIA TREE; VICTOR ORTEGA TREE)

LA UNION CENTENNIAL TREE (ALSO KNOWN AS CARCARMAY ACACIA TREE; VICTOR ORTEGA TREE)


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Location: Carcarmay, Bacnotan, La Union, Philippines
Major Jump-Off Areas: Poblacion, Bacnotan, La Union and Bitalag Junction, Bitalag, Bacnotan, La Union.
How to Get There:
·         From Poblacion, Bacnotan, La Union. There are three options:
ü  Hire a tricycle directly to Carcarmay Elementary School. Tricycle hire is Php80-100; or
ü  Ballogo route: take a PUJ bound for Paraoir or Darigayos. Drop at Ballogo Junction. Take a tricycle to Carcarmay Elementary School; or
ü  Bitalag route: take a north-bound mini-bus (Vigan, Laoag, or Abra). Drop at Bitalag Junction and take a tricycle to Carcarmay Elementary School.
·         From San Fernando City, La Union. There are two options:
ü  Take a north-bound minibus or PUJ bound to Bacnotan or Luna. Drop at Bitalag Junction and take tricycle to Carcarmay Elementary School; or
ü  Take a PUJ bound for Paraoir or Darigayos. Drop at Ballogo Junction. Take a tricycle to Carcarmay Elementary School.
·         Bus from Manila or Baguio City bound to Laoag, Vigan, or Abra or vice versa.
ü  Drop at Poblacion, Bacnotan or San Fernando City Plaza and take any of the above schemes; or
ü  Drop at Bitalag Junction and take a tricycle to Carcarmay Elementary School.


Description
A silent witness of peace, war, and development, the La Union Centennial Tree in Barangay Carcarmay, Bacnotan, La Union is continually adding up years in its existence. With a trunk of about 8 meters, it easily gives shade to a very wide area of the Carcarmay Elementary School where it has rooted.

The tree’s age’s traceability and its mute part in the locality’s history is highly notable. In 1896, the late Innocencio Mendioro, a Grade 3 pupil of the then nipa hut primary school, planted this acacia tree (Rudio, 2014a). Interestingly, this is the age of Dr. Jose Rizal’s execution. During the World War II, the shade of the Centennial Tree had been a sanctuary of the Japanese soldiers and their Filipino friends from the heat of the day. In time of peace decades later, one of these Japanese soldiers even used this as a marker in locating their former base (Rudio, 2014b). Rudio also cited that locals even have belief that treasures could be buried beneath its ground. In 2013, the caring and protection of the La Union Centennial Tree was officially transferred to Carcarmay Elementary School.

The La Union Centennial Tree was proclaimed as one of the 13 other Philippine Centennial Tree under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order No. 98-25 on 03 June 1998. This AO also proclaims these centennial trees as Protected Trees. This also mandates a multi-sectoral effort in protecting these trees and the provision of corresponding penalties and for damage or injury to the tree (Rudio, 2014a).

Reminders:
·         The school where it is located is open for tourists even during weekends and holidays. It highly advisable though to go there outside class hours to avoid disturbance and to ask permission from the locals or school teachers.
·         As the tree serves as shade to the program and activity ground of the school, please maintain cleanliness and moving any equipment, furniture or things within the premises is highly discouraged.
·         Do not climb the tree.

Gallery
You need to go through the entrance of the Carcarmay Elementary School. It highly advisable though to go there outside class hours to avoid disturbance and to ask permission from the locals or school teachers.

The marker is also pursuant to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order No. 98-25 dated 03 June 1998.

This tree served as a shade under the sun by pupils, soldiers, and community locals alike in parts of the Spanish colonization, Japanese and American invasion.

The circumference of the trunk is about 8 meters.

Branches branching out! Well, this is how it covers more than a quarter of the school premises.


REFERENCE LIST:
Rudio, O. O. (2014a). News Item: MINDA Park Blessing & Turnover Ceremonies Held. Retrieved on March 15, 2016 from Probinsial Gobierno ti La Union Opisyal nga Website: www.launion.gov.ph/iloko/print.php?newsnews.416.

Rudio, O. O. (2014b). La Union Centennial Tree. Retrieved on March 15, 2016 from Provincial Government of La Union Official Website: www.launion.gov.ph/page.php?165.

Tangadan Falls



TANGADAN FALLS


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Location: Amontoc, San Gabriel, La Union, Philippines

Major Jump-Off Area: Poblacion, San Gabriel, La Union

How to Get There:
·         Public transportation:
1.       Via San Fernando City, La Union. Take a PUJ (terminal at the northern side of the San Fernando City Round Market bound to San Gabriel. The regular fare is Php26.00. All San Gabriel-bound PUJs will stop at Barangay Poblacion with 30 minutes to an hour duration depending on the traffic. Preferably, you need to go to the San Gabriel Municipal Hall for arrangement of tour guides and transportation bound to Tangadan Falls parking area in Barangay Amontoc. For DIY transportation arrangement, you can ask the locals where to hire a PUJ or a motorcycle. Round trip hire including waiting time is Php1500.00-Php2000.00 for PUJ and Php350.00 for motorcycles. PUJ ride usually takes about 20 minutes; this is typically shorter when riding a motorcycle. From the parking area, you need to hike downhill on uneven [some parts are paved] foot path at least 10 minutes [for fast hikers] or [usually] longer depending on your pace. Going back may take thrice as much since you’ll be hiking uphill. (Take note that there are no PUJs going to the area on an hourly basis. Usually, there is a single Poblacion to Amontoc trip during or after lunch hours and Amontoc to Poblacion trip only in the morning. Thus, there is a need to hire a PUJ or motorcycle in a round trip basis if you don't have your own transportation.)
2.       Via San Juan, La Union. Wait for San Gabriel-bound PUJs at the national hi-way crossing north of the San Juan Municipal Hall. There is a small sign “→ San Gabriel” along the crossing. Fare is around Php16.00
3.       Via Bacnotan, La Union. Take a PUJ from Poblacion, Bacnotan to Poblacion, San Gabriel. This is the least suggested itinerary since there is a limited Bacnotan-San Gabriel trips.
4.       Via Bucao, San Gabriel, La Union. This route is highly advisable when your transportation budget is limited. Take a tricycle from Poblacion, San Gabriel to Duplas, San Juan (via Bucao). Tricycle fare is PhP80.00. The hike, however, may take about an hour or even much longer to those who have a slower pace. This has a longer hike time than via Amontoc and thus not advisable to those who have no patience in exerting physical effort. On the other hand, this route might be more interesting to adventurous pips.
·         Private car: Google map suffices for direction. Also, asking the locals is highly advisable. 
1.       Via San Juan, La Union.
2.       Via Bacnotan, La Union.

Description
Tangadan Falls is located in Amontoc, San Gabriel, La Union, a predominantly mountainous municipality in Region I. The name of Tangadan Falls is derived from an Ilokano root word “tangad,” which means to look up, probably due to the about 40–feet high water plunge.

Via Amontoc: Strenuous the hike as it may be, your physical effort will be rewarded with the mesmerizing cascade-to-pool and waterfall-to-pool series. From the parking area, you need to traverse a downhill footpath for at least 15 minutes. This may take longer depending on your pace and the condition of the path. Halfway, you will hear the roar of the water. During rainy season, the unpaved parts of the path tend to be muddy and slippery. Also, during this season, you may be rewarded with green vegetable gardens and rice paddies in you trek. Your bodily exertion during the hike will be rewarded when you reach your destination: clean, clear and invigoratingly cold water in a short cascade-to-pool-to-waterfall-to-pool series.

Via Bucao: About an hour walk from the turning point, you will pass by farms, irrigation dikes, and generally the river snaking up to the glorious Tangadan Falls. To nature-lovers, the rivulet, naturally-occuring pools, fishes (especially the abundant locally-termed "Bunog"), underwater grasses, diving cliffs, and low-height falls are but a few of the many delights en route.

Tangadan river could be divided into two levels: upper and lower. The upper level is composed of a short cascade of about 7 feet high and 4 feet wide. The width of the cascade narrows or widens depending on the season and amount of rainfall. Through the steep stone slope, water cascades to the narrow pool below. The pool is deep and about 30 feet wide by 90 feet long. It is surrounded with steep stone walls. The lower wall is easily accessible and serves as the diving and jumping point. The water from the first pool exits through a narrow outlet that splits into two. The smaller outlet exits as a narrow cascade to the right of the precipice. The bigger outlet flattens as it moves above the rock ledge and plunges down to the wide pool of the lower level. The size of the pool could easily engulf two basketball courts. As of the beginning of 2016, there are three bamboo rafts (“raket” or “balsa”) which can be hired. You may ask the operator to take you near or under the falls, which tourists usually do. This is common because the jets of falling water gives a natural massage. Unlike in hand massage, you control the pressure by your proximity to the waterfall. You can also exhaust yourself swimming in this pool because of its size, thus the need for life vest for those who are not good and non-swimmers. The water from the second pool flows out through slippery rocks and exits to a gentle, wide, long, and 2-4 feet deep basin. Somehow, this is more conducive to children who does not know how to swim and those who wants to learn how to swim.

Amenities (rental prices may vary or increase without prior notice):
·        Parking fee: Php10.00
      Cottage: Php200.00-300.00.
·         Life vest or salbabida: Php50.00.
·         Bamboo raft (“raket”): Php400.00 (maximum of 10 pax)

Reminders
  • Cancel your trip if there is a continuous heavy downpour in the municipality.
  • Registration is a must to all tourists.
  • Wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes and clothes.
  • Strictly no cooking, grilling, and the likes. Take pre-prepared foods including water.
  • Life vest is a must for those who cannot swim in fresh water. Drowning is higher in fresh water than sea water.
  • Do not vandalize the stones by marker pens or etching upon it. As of late February 2016, the extent of etches upon stones have yet to abate.
  • Eating and throwing of garbage or food scraps along the river is prohibited.
  • The Municipality of San Gabriel is a Red Orchid Awardee and also awarded by the Civil Service Commission and the Department of Health as the Best LGU Implementer of Smoke-free Program in Region 1 (CSC, 2013). Most of the tourists in Tangadan Falls do not know this and are unendingly a-huffin’ and a-puffin’ clouds of cigarette smokes in and around the cottages.
  • When riding a PUJ to or from Tangadan Falls, “topload style” is allowed, as this is not uncommon among PUJs bound to the municipality’s mountain barangays. Make sure that you are secure and to always be vigilant in your grips. Take note, however, that the locals are used to this and are aware to strengthen and secure their grips in parts of the ride. Though, no accidents involving tourists on “topload style” is reported yet, do not be the first in the local statistics.
  • Do not go or cross cordoned areas (barricaded with bamboos or branches).
  • Stones along the river could be slippery.
  • If there is a sudden heavy downpour during the rainy season, do not linger in the river as it may swell to a dangerous level at any point in time.

Gallery


This is the start of the downhill trek. The surface of the unpaved footpaths can be easily powderized under your shoes during summer. However, it is muddy during rainy season. In both cases, you need comfortable walking or hiking shoes. Non-hikers need to be careful in these unpaved footpaths.

The stretch of paved footpaths is increasing each year as Tangadan Falls visitors increase. There is even a plan of extending the paved road nearer to the waterfall.


This is the first view which invites you to go nearer.

The upper part consists of a short cascade and a narrow pool. The lower wall of the pool serves as a diving and jumping point.

The upper pool narrows down towards the water exit.

 
A complete view of the upper level.

The water from the first pool exits through a narrow outlet that splits into two. The smaller outlet exits as a narrow cascade to the right of the precipice.

The shallow part as the water exits from the upper pool towards the plunge.

The water from the first pool exits through a narrow outlet that splits into two. Above is the bigger outlet before it flattens near the ledge.


The water from the first pool exits through a narrow outlet that splits into two. The bigger outlet flattens as it moves above the rock ledge and plunges down to the wide pool of the lower level.

The great plunge and the narrow cascade.

 
View from near the water exit of the second pool.

Two of the three bamboo rafts (“raket” or “balsa”).

You can hire a bamboo raft and try the back massage under the waterfall.

A closer look at the narrow cascade.

 
This cascade has a more brute force and greater volume during rainy season. 



Careful! The rocks are slippery.

The water from the second pool flows out through slippery rocks and exits to a gentle, wide, long, and 2-4 feet deep basin. Somehow, this is more conducive to children who does not know how to swim and those who wants to learn how to swim.



The organic cottages is but one of the reasons why cooking with fire is prohibited in the area.


The shower facility. But then again, why do you need one? The water you’re going to shower is the same water you’ve waded minutes ago!

Well, don’t get too tired while swimming. Remember, you’ve got a steep climb ahead!



REFERENCE LIST:
CSC (2013). Best Practices [PDF File]. Retrieved from http://www.csc.gov.ph/phocadownload/PMU/bestpractices.pdf.