Mt. Kalisungan (760+)

MT. KALISUNGAN
Calauan, Laguna
Jump-off point: Erais Farms, Brgy. Lamot, Calauan
LLA: 14° 08.790N; 121° 20.683E; 760 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2.5 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-2

BACKGROUND
In Laguna, there is a mountain that has many names. Some call it Mt. Calauan or Mt. Nagcarlan after the two towns it borders; others call it Mt. Lamot because it lies in Brgy. Lamot, and it may have been a mossy forest a long time ago. There is growing consensus, however, that this mountain, rising to 760 MASL, should be known as Mt. Kalisungan.

Japanese guerillas, at the twilight of World War II, made Mt. Kalisungan their last stand in Laguna. Afterwards, locals erected a white cross at its peak. It has become a local Holy Week custom to climb the mountain. Throughout the year, Mt. Kalisungan receives ample rainfall, and because of its relatively rustic location, its great charm lies in its serenity.

Verdant fields surround the slopes of Kalisungan. There are coconut trees, banana plantations, corn fields, citrus orchards, and vast grasslands leading to the summit. As one goes higher, the view becomes more distinct: directly in front of you, to the north, is Talim island with its Mt. Tagapo shaped like a young woman’s breast; you can also see Jalajala peninsula jutting into Laguna Lake like a ship, with Mt. Sembrano on its helm. Moving your eyes to east, the highlands of Caliraya appear. And once you reach the peak, you will be able to glimpse upon the seven lakes of San Pablo, flanked by Mt. Cristobal and Mt. Banahaw. Then, from a distance there is Mt. Makiling, to the west, completing the circle.

ITINERARY
0600 Board Green Star bus bound to Sta. Cruz from LRT-Buendia (P115)
0830 Alight at Victoria, Laguna (at the Duck junction). Take tricycle to Brgy. Lumot
0900 ETA Brgy. Lamot. Ask for the way up. You may park your vehicle here.
0915 Start trek
1200 ETA summit. It is marked with a white cross. Lunch.
1300 Start descent
1530 Back at Brgy. Lamot. Take tricycle to Victoria, Laguna
1600 Wait for Buendia or Cubao-bound buses at highway
1900 ETA Manila

SPECIAL CONCERNS
Transportation. Two bus lines ply the Manila-Sta. Cruz route: namely Green Star with its terminal at LRT-Gil Puyat Stn (Buendia) and HM Transport in EDSA-Cubao. As of October 2008, the fare is around P115 to reach the Duck junction.
Logistics. No registration fee or permit is required as of October 2008. The traditional jumpoff is the Erais Farms in Brgy. Lamot, though if it is closed alternative trailheads exist just near the Farms.

MT. KALISUNGAN PICTURES

At the foothills, the trail is wide and surrounded by beautiful trees and plantation fields.


Midway, you will encounter some dense foliage comprised of grasses, shrubs, and banana trees.


The summit is meadowy and verdant: the winds are quite refreshing.


A wooden cross marks the summit.


One of the best views at the peak is that of San Pablo's Seven Lakes - at least six of which are visible at the peak. In this picture, the lakes seen are Mohicap, Palakpakin, and Sampaloc.

TRIVIA
The blogger first reached Mt. Kalinsungan as a New Year climb in 2007 -- an accidental climb after a failed attempt to reach Mt. Tagapo from the piers of Calamba. The pictures shown are from this climb.