Maktrav: Mt. Makiling/Sto. Tomas-Los Banos Traverse (1,090+)

MT. MAKILING TRAVERSE

Sto. Tomas, Batangas and Los Banos, Laguna

Entry points: Sitio Palanggana, Brgy. San Bartolome; Sitio Sipit, Brgy. San Miguel

Exit point: UP College of Forestry, Los Banos, Laguna

LLA: 14.13°N 121.20°E, 1090 MASL (Peak 2)

Hours to Peak 2 / days required: 1-2 days / 7-8 hours

Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 6/9, Trail class 3 with roped segments

Features: Roped segments, rocky face, limatik, rattan, tropical rainforest

BACKGROUND

Having ascended both the major traverse trails from Sto. Tomas to Los Baños, we have been able to synthesize a great deal of information regarding Maktrav, perhaps the most challenging dayhike within the vicinity of Manila. An important factor is the continued popularity of the traverse, which led to more information being available, and at the same time the sustained establishment of the trail. From at average of 12-18 hours in early 2008, a Maktrav nowadays may be completed in less than 10 hours (Nov 2009). Thus PinoyMountaineer.com is posting this new entry, supplanting the previous one.

The Makiling Traverse is a classic example of an extended dayhike - a climb whose trekking time makes it a "major climb" but whose trail circumstances favor a long dayhike. It is a favorite training climb for mountains that are Difficulty 8/9 or higher - such as Mt Guiting-Guiting - and for good reason: a Makiling Traverse gives hikers a preview of extended hiking (>8 hours/day) over a period of three or even four days. Moreover, Makiling gives samplers for various. Melkas Ridge, for example, is an introduction to the long rock scrambling of Guiting-Guiting; the proliferation of limatik and jungle density is the same environment of Halcon; and the meanderings of the Wild Boar Trail evoke Napulauan. Finally, the 'thrill' of a traverse is a junior version of what it takes to cross over Dulang-Dulang to Kitanglad, or Kidapawan to Kapatagan. Yet, although it is a good training climb, it is a climb in itself: one of the must-try adventures that are within the vicinity of Metro Manila.

Two major paths converge to form the traverse trail, the Palanggana trail from Sitio Palanggana, Brgy. San Bartolome and the Sipit Trail from Sitio Sipit, Brgy. San Miguel. In the 1990s, the Sipit trail was the one more commonly used. But a series of landslides, culminating with Typhoon Milenyo in 2007, has made the Sipit trail difficult and at times inaccessible. Although Sipit is still passable (the blogger climbed up and down Sipit in 2008), PinoyMountaineer.com is recommending the Palanggana Trail.

THE PALANGGANA TRAIL (2-3 hours)

This trail originates from the barangay hall of San Bartolome where you will register for free. Take the cement road which goes on a northeast direction (bear in mind that NE is the way to go for MakTrav). It transitions into a rough road which narrows into footpaths that meander around dead creeks. The first landmark is the Bahay Kubo about 60-80 minutes from the jumpoff; this also counts as the last water source. Then, continue northward to reach the Palanggana Ridge - a series of elevated slopes with breathtaking southeast views and a ravine to your right. After Palanggana Peak, highest point in the ridge is reached, a descent into more forested areas is done and during this descent the convergence point with the Sipit Trail is reached. The combined trail then reached the Melkas Ridge Campsite.

THE SIPIT TRAIL (3-4 hours)

This trail on the other hand starts from the end of the road at Brgy. San Miguel. There is no registration; one simply follows the woodland paths until you reach the Old House, an inhabited landmark. Beyond it lies the eroded river that is marked by signs starting with Station 1. Further up is a wooden barn where numerous goats stay; it is known to early mountaineers as Kambigan. Take the trails left of the eroded river until you reach the covergence point with the Palanggana Trail. To make sure that you are on the right track, follow the left trail and you should reach Palanggana Peak within 3-5 minutes. Then head back and follow the rightward trail that leads to the Melkas Ridge Campsite.

MELKAS CAMPSITE TO PEAK 2

Melkas Campsite can accommodate a large number of hikers - perhaps this is evidence that the MakTrav was once a very popular destination for the mountaineers in the 1990s. In 2008 when the MakTrav was being rediscovered, mountaineers usually arrived at Melkas Ridge past lunchtime so they had meals here. However, with the improvement of the trails mountaineers can now easily reach Melkas by 1100H so the best (and more scenic) place to have lunch is now either the Melkas Ridge (which is 10-15 minutes above the campsite) or Peak 3 (1020 MASL) - the pinnacle of the ridge and one of the peaks of Makiling. Elder mountaineers used to refer to this grassy clearing as 'Mt. Cornites'.

The trail continues, getting narrower yet still distinct. It takes two to three hours to connect from Melkas to Peak 2; the distal portion has come to be known as the Wild Boar Trail. This part of the trail is like an obstacle course which will require you to do contortions, body flexions and extensions in order to negotiate the paths. Finally after around 2-3 hours from Melkas, you will ascend up the familiar grassy flatland that is Peak 2 (1090 MASL) - the summit of Mt. Makiling. 1400H will be a good target arrival time.

THE DESCENT FROM PEAK 2

From Peak 2 there are 30 stations marking the way down the UPLB trail; for a total of 8.4 kilometers. Landmarks include the roped segments at Stn. 28; the start of a big landslide at Stn. 26; etc. Occasionally, one would be offered glimpses of a northern view encompassing Los Banos and neighboring towns, as well as Laguna Lake. Still, however, the main attraction remains the beautiful forest.

After two hours of descending, one should be at the Makiling Nursery, which has stores that sell buco juice (P10) for a very nice and refreshing treat. The famous Mudsprings - sulfuric vents of Makiling which is a dormant volcano - is just a 5-10 minutes' walk away and could be a nice sidetrip.

From the Nursery one has the option to rent a jeep to take you down, or walk another hour to reach the UPLB College of Forestry. If you start the traverse from Sto. Tomas at 0700H, you can expect to reach UPLB by 1800H. Bringing lights is a must, therefore, especially since snakes are known to periodically cross the rough roads. At the park entrance you can take tidy-up or take a shower. The UPLB side does not impose exit fees for climbers taking the Sto. Tomas trail.

ITINERARY

via Palanggana Trail

0430 Take Lucena or any Maharlika-bound bus

0600 Drop off at Jolibee Sto. Tomas; Breakfast

0630 Head to Brgy. San Bartolome by tricycle

0700 Registration; final preparations

0730 Start trek

0830 ETA Bahay Kubo

1030 ETA Melkas Ridge campsite

1100 ETA Melkas Ridge (Haring Bato)

1130 Lunch at Peak 3 (1020 MASL)

1200 Proceed with traverse via Wild Boar trail

1330 ETA Peak 2 (1090 MASL)

1400 Start descent

1630 ETA Nursery

1730 ETA College of Forestry; take jeep to Los Banos proper

1800 Lunch at Grove

1900 Take bus back to Manila

2100 ETA Manila

SPECIAL CONCERNS

Transportation. Going to Sto. Tomas is very easy; just take Maharlika Highway-bound bus (i.e. those going to Lucena or Bicol), drop off at the Sto. Tomas Public Market. From there, take a tricycle to Brgy. San Bartolome (P50/trip) and start trekking from the barangay hall.

On the other side, you can just wait for jeepneys which ply the College of Forestry-Los Banos Proper route (P7). While a dinner at Los Banos Square or nearby shops is recommended, one can drop off at Los Banos Crossing to await buses bound for Alabang, Buendia, or Cubao. The last trip for Buendia passes at around 2000H; the last trip for Cubao passes at around 2030H.

Guides. There is no regular guide service in Mt. Makiling for either side, and locals of Sto. Tomas are not really familiar with the mountain, probably because as a forest reserve they have not encroached into the Los Banos side of the mountain. Trail knowledge has been limited. However, as of November 2009, although we still recommend being accompanied by a veteran of the trail, the trail is sufficiently established for experienced hikers to follow without the benefit of a guide.

Climbing notes. Limatik are abundant in both sides of the mountain so be vigilant but don't be afraid of these creatures - they are virtually harmless albeit uncomfortable. Avoid the lipa leaves by donning long-sleeved shirts.

EXPLORATION

For groups who will climb the Makiling Traverse starting in January 2010, we recommend the use of red ribbons to mark the trail every 50 meters. Hopefully this will make the trail more established and easier to follow.

MT. MAKILING TRAVERSE PICTURES

The Sipit trail is laden with rocks eroded from the mountain (Jan. 2008)

One of the closest landmarks in a Sipit trail traverse is called 'Kambigan' (Jan. 2008)

Fording the rocky formations up the Palanggana Trail (Nov. 2009)

As the trail progresses towards Peak 2, it gets more and more narrow hence the term 'Wild Boar Trail (Nov. 2009)

The rock formations along the Palanggana Trail culminates in Haring Bato and Melkas Ridge - making for nice shots. (Nov. 2009)

Makiling's Peak 2 can at times offer a nice view of the surrounding towns.

Enjoying fresh buko juice at the Makiling Nursery (May 2007)

TRIVIA

There are three peaks in Mt. Makiling. The traverse trail connects Peak 3 and Peak 2. Peak 1 has two locations. The Peak 1 known to mountaineers is also along the traverse trail but the official Peak 1 is only 900 MASL and can only be accessed at the UPLB trail at around Stn. 15. It is currently closed due to research.

The blogger unsuccesfully attempted a traverse of Mt. Makiling on Jan. 12, 2008. It was day of continuous rains, and two limatik entered his eyes, one on each eye! The other was manually removed by a friendly villager on his way down, and the other left on its own during his sleep on that night.

See also account of MakTrav in Hiking matters #73.