Yours truly at the Gungal Rocks

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Mt. Ulap Eco-Trail

Mt. Ulap was opened to hikers and tourists just 2 years ago, in September of 2015. Mt. Ulap immediately started to become the favorite mainstream destination for newbies. Located at Itogon, Benguet, Mt. Ulap's entry and exit points are in Brgy. Ampucao and Brgy. Sta. Fe, respectively which is a 40-minute-ride from Baguio City. It has an altitude of 1, 846 meters above sea level and features 3 peaks. Mt. Ulap is also famous as the "Cloud Mountain" which is the direct English translation for the name. Ulap means cloud.

Mt. Ulap Eco-Trail was also coined as the "mini-Mt. Ugo" by Gideon Lasco because of its similar features with Mt. Ugo in smaller scale. These features include grassland and pine ridges which are the basic Cordillera mountain highlights.

The Three Peaks

One of the highlights of the climb are the three peaks.

Location of the markers which summarizes the trail

Peak 1: Ambanao Paoay

The first peak rises to an elevation of 1, 788 meters above sea level. From the jump-off, it'll take 3.6 km to reach Ambanao Paoay.

From left: me, Basti, Ate Ji, Sir Rhodel

The scenic view is one of a kind. But the peak doesn't have enormous trees but slopes of grass with chaotic scattered rock fragments and blocks so beware of the strong winds!

Overlooking the mountains of Cordillera

Peak 2: Gungal

The part of the traverse where a rock formation protrudes is found in the Gungal Rocks. With an altitude of 1, 814 masl, the second peak is at 1.8 kilometers from the first peak.

If there is a clearing, the view is much more magnificent in this area and the outcrops are really humongous which are great for photo ops but be careful of your steps, or else you'll meet a deadly fall.

Peak 3: Mt. Ulap

The highest point is the Mt. Ulap summit of elevation 1, 846 masl. The grassy slopes are far more richer here than that on Ambanao Paoay. From Gungal, it'll take 1.1 km to get to the Mt. Ulap summit.

Basti was asleep as we reach the highest point.

Clouds are frequent in this area as well as cows. The grasslands were feeding ground for the cattles.

Felt like a small portion of New Zealand grassland

Mt. Ulap graced us with a fine weather and clearing to capture great pictures before blanketing the peak.

The Climb

I climbed Mt. Ulap for the first time with my boss from my On-the-Job-Training (OJT) and his family. There were only the four of us, Sir Rhodel, Ate Mi Jera and Baby Basti who was 1 year old at that time. I actually woke up late and we were able to ride the jeep at 8 in the morning already. It really made me smile when I saw this inside the jeepney.

The trip to Itogon was a 40-minute-ride and the jeepney unloaded us in the road going to the barangay hall of Ampucao for registration. It was a good thing we climbed on a Monday because we didn't wait on queue to register and to take photos later that day.

There was an orientation before the climb and we were assigned with a female guide which was a first for me. It was also a good thing because she understands that we were quite slow because Ate Ji had to breastfeed Basti from time to time. She's also a great photographer. We were really lucky to have her as our guide.

There are just a lot of viewpoints and you won't get enough of the view.

The PHILEX Mines can be seen from the trail in between Ambanao Paoay to Gungal.

There is even a store at the top where we ate our lunch.

A Strange Thing Happened...

On the trail, Basti kept crying so we had to stop to feed him from time to time. He laughs and is very talkative on every stop but whenever he's carried, he cried so much. Upon reaching the Gungal rocks, Sir Rhodel and Ate Ji decided to pin in his clothes the thing that the lady from the jeepney gave us earlier that day. Upon pinning that, Basti went to sleep and stayed asleep until we reach the summit. He just woke up when we descended the peak and played with the cows. Upon reaching the store until we descended the mountain, Basti never cried again.

Telling that story always gives me the chills. Sir Rhodel keep saying to me that I shouldn't feel bad that I woke up late because it was meant to happen so that the good lady from the jeepney could give the thing to them. She even left and tried to transfer into another jeep but she went back because of some reason. Then, she talked to us and halved the thing and gave it to Ate Ji. I think it was really fortunate.

The Budget and Itinerary

Budget from Baguio

Itinerary
We based our itinerary from pinoymountaineer's itinerary and the IT below is our actual pacing. Please consider that we were with a baby. Thank you!

0800 Take jeepney from Baguio to Brgy. Ampucao (P50)
0840 ETA Brgy. Ampucao. Head to barangay hall. Register / Secure guides
0900 Start trek
1000 ETA Gungol Rock
1100 ETA Mt. Ulap summit
1300 Visit Burial Caves
1500 Arrival at Sta. Fe exit point. Wait for jeepney back to Baguio
1700 Back in Baguio City

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Check out my previous climbs below:

Peak 14: Mt. Lumot
Peak 13: Mt. Tibig
Peak 12: Kibungan Circuit
Peak 11: Cinco Picos
Peak 10: Mt. Makiling
Peak 9: Mt. Kalugong
Peak 8: Mt. Romelo
Peak 7: Mt. Batulao
Peak 6: Mt. Manabu
Peak 5: Mt. Daguldol
Peak 4: Mt. Tapulao
Peak 3: Mt. Maculot
Peak 2: Pico De Loro
Peak 1: Mt. Pulag
Peak 0: Mt. Taal
Little Climber