Conquered: Mt. Ulap (day hike)

Another success climb, another mountain conquered. This time, I braved to go out my territorial comfort zone and head North. I recently heard of the Ampucao Eco Trail and was captivated with the pictures that spread like wildfire online. I decided to check it out myself. It was at 21c degrees at the time of our hike which made it as a "chill" climb.

Ampucao Eco Trail is located in Brgy. Ampucao in the Municipality of Itogon in Benguet Province. 

This is the first mountain I day hiked away from Metro Manila and is in Cordillera Region. It is more or less 40 minutes away from Baguio City. The trail was used by TNF mountain trail run early this year. 

Ampucao-Sta Fe Ridge

Mt Ulap is approx at 16°17'20" N 120°37'53" E. Rising at 1846 MasL, it has a class trail 1-3 and a difficulty of 3/9. One can reach the summit within 3 to 4 hours of trek. The eco-trail Mt Ulap Traverse  starts from Totombek, Ambanao Paoay, Gungal, Summit of Mt. Ulap, Pongol Human Cave and exits in Sta Fe. This trail is known as Ampucao-Sta Fe Ridge. A few does the Ampucao-Sta Fe traverse, some reaches the summit but most of the hikers are satisfied with the two other peaks of the trail. Gungal is the most famous spot in this trail because of its "Instagram" worthy pic.  

Commute

The Only PUJ route that has a daily trip to Ampucao

Board any bus bound to Baguio City. In our case, we rode off Vitory Liner from their Pasay Terminal. We left Pasay 10:30pm and arrived at Baguio City 4:30am the next day. Since we have ample of time before daybreak, we walked our way from the terminal to Session road to have our morning brekky. There are open fast food chain establishments.

From Baguio City, you may opt for convenience which is to hail a cab and ask to bring you to Ampucao Elementary School. The less expensive way is riding a public utility jeepney bound to Ampucao. Proceed to Petron Station in Harrison rd and board the jeepney. This is where the Ampucao Bound PUJs park. Just tell the driver to drop you off in Ampucao Elementry School. This should be around 35-45 minutes of travel. 

At the drop off point with Kuya Jason, our guide

Climb

Pre-Climb groufie with our guide, Kuya Jason

Once you were dropped off in Ampucao, you walk your way to barangay hall which is roughly at 800m from the highway. Register and secure a guide here. You will be oriented of what not and must to do during the hike. Do adhere! It's for your own good. From the brgy hall, you will walk your way back to the highway and roughly another 200m to the jump off. That's the warm up!

The woodlands of Totombek

You will start from Totombek. It is pure assault for an hour. That is if you hardly have take fives and with a steady pace. The air is fresh and cool. Pine trees everywhere and there are wild berries too.

After the woodlands, you will reach the Ambanao Paoay. It is an open field with no trees. Our guide told us that no trees ever grew in this area. The view here is breathtaking. Herd of cows graze the field as well. It is good as a camping ground.

Ambanao Paoay

The ridge to Gungal from Paoay

Another 1-1 1/5 hour of trek, you will reach Gungal. This is where the group of rocks form and by so far the famous part of the trail. From here, Mt. Ulap is already overlooking. Again, Gungal is not yet the summit and not part of Mt. Ulap.

Gungal

This is Gungal from a far, though it looks like Pride Rock to me

I just can't help to stop and enjoy the majestic masterpiece of Our Creator

After an hour trek from Gungal is Mt. Ulap. If you wish to see a clearing, you need to be here before or by noon. Our guide told us that by noon time, the clouds starts to move in, thus you cannot see anything due to cloud accumulation. This is why it is called Mt Ulap.  

After 3.5 hours of trek, The Mandatory Groufie!

To go back, you have three options. It is either you do back trail which would take 3-4 hours, do the Sta. Fe traverse which is a very steep trail but you will pass through the mummies, Pongol Human Cave and  will take 1.5 to 2 hours or do a traverse to avoid the steep trail but will take another 4 hours. In hour case, we were in a hurry to go home so we opted for the fastest way to get to the highway.

Steep trail to Punggol Human Cave

the married mummies

River crossing via hanging bridge

Sta Fe Exit

You'll be crossing 3-4 suspension bridges and will pass by residential areas before you reach the highway.

There is a comfort room along the highway where you can wash yourself up. There is no specified fee, just give any amount at the small convenient store across.

Side Trip

50 diner is best for famished hikers like us. They have big servings with affordable prices.

Baguio City has a lot to offer. After the tiring hike, you must be famished and there are great restos/diner in the area. You can stroll along Session road, Leonard Wood rd or at Gen Luna Rd. 

There is also Burnham Park which is located at the heart of the city. 

Great finds of ukay-ukay is available at their Night Market along Harrison rd. Normally vendor would be available around 8pm.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 0

2300   Board a Victory Liner Bus either from Pasay or Cubao

Day 1

500    ETA in Baguio City

530    Breakfast

700*  ETD for Ampucao

730    ETA at Ampucao, Registration

745    Jump off, Start trek- Totombek

845    Ambanao Paoay, Photo Ops

900    Bound for Gungal

1030  Gungal, Photo Ops

1100  ETD for Mt. Ulap

1200  ETA at the Summit of Mt. Ulap

1300  ETD for Pongol Human Cave

1345  ETA at Pongol Human Cave

1400  ETD for Sta Fe Highway

1500  ETA at the highway, wash up; Bound to Baguio City

*If you ride the jeepney, the first trip is around 6:30 and will leave once it is full. 

If you opt for taxi, you will reach Ampucao earlier, thus starting the hike early and will finish early.

**The Photo Ops in Gungal takes time especially if there are a lot of hikers that day.

Suggested Expenses 

P455 *2    Victory Bus Liner, Pasay vice versa

P 50  *2     Ampucao Bound Jeepney, vice versa

P 500         Guide fee for 10 pax

As of 10/25/2015, there is no registration fee. After the Inauguration by 10/31/2015, there will be a registration fee but no info as of yet. This will be updated soon.

Local guide is mandatory and is available at the barangay hall upon registration. 

You can also contact our guide, Kuya Jason at 0912 859 4479.

As od 11/18 update, registration fee is P100 per person. 

Blogger's Note

• FYI, this is not the Philex Ridge. Philex Ridge is different from Ampucao-Sta Fe Ridge. As a matter of fact, you can see Philex ridge from this trail.
• Mt Ulap is different from Gungal. Gungal is the peak with rock formations. 
• If you have noticed, there is no stop over for lunch on the itinerary. Local guides don't recommend to be full when you climb or avoid to much drinking water. During this hike, I only have one 500ml Gatorade and 500ml water. Fill your tummy with heavy breakfast. I would suggest meat (esp beef) coz it takes time to digest. 
• The trail is more or less 8km for the traverse.
• If you plan a group climb, it is at your advantage if you get a private transpo from Manila-Ampucao-Manila. Though of course, budget wise, it is still recommended to commute. 
• SMART telco has a strong signal in the area, given that the owner of the telco is also the owner of the nearby mine. 
• Camping is allowed. Others would ascend in the afternoon and descend after sunrise.
• Once you alight the bus from manila, you should buy a return ticket already. You will have a hard time and long wait if you don't.
•  Dont let the cold breeze fools you. Apply sunblock. Since you are closer to the sun than ever, even if it's cloudy at times, UV rays still penetrates your skin. Later you'd find out, you are already burnt.

for more pics, please do visit Conquered: Mt Ulap

Photos are taken with Nikon D5100 and SonyActionCam AS200VR.