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Mt. Balagbag; 777+ MASL Rizal-Bulacan boundary
Topic Started: May 16 2017, 08:13 AM (163 Views)
emancampos
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Mt. Balagbag

Rodriguez, Rizal and Norzagaray, Bulacan boundary

777+ MASL

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Mt. Balagbag summit


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Mt. Balagbag


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view of the summit of Mt. Oriod from the helipad on Mt. Balagbag


Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 1-2 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-2

A hiking destination favored for its proximity to Metro Manila is Mt. Balagbag, located in Rodriguez (formerly Montalban), Rizal. This mountain is part of the Sierra Madre range as it transitions into the plains of Central and Southern Luzon. At over 700 MASL, it is of sufficient elevation to offer views of Ortigas and some parts of Metro Manila, as well as the Ipo Watershed.

The trail is very easy and wide, and Mt. Balagbag is also a favorite of mountain bikers. Although locals recall a past when the mountain was covered with trees, it is now barren, and hikers who will trek it summer will find sun exposure as the only difficulty in this trek. Hence, dimtrekking (hiking very early in the morning or late afternoon) is recommended.

Additional features of Mt. Balagbag include some small waterfalls and rivers along the way, as well as the possibility of traversing to San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan or other barangays of Rodriguez, Rizal. Along the way to Mt. Balabag, there is also the Veterans’ Peak or Veterans’ Summit which is more of a local tourist spot. There are security concerns regarding Balagbag at the moment, but it has the potential to be a nice and near hiking spot from Manila.

Source: Pinoy Mountaineer


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Ipo and Angat Watersheds


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Mt. Balagbag



My say!

We hiked on May 10, 2017 and there were 16 of us in the group. It was even Mother's Day that Sunday.

The place is indeed worth the climb. Perhaps, this is the best spot that can give you the widest view of the metropolis including the plains of Pampanga to the North since Mt. Arayat is very recognizable from this peak. To its south is the peaks of Mt. Banahaw, Mt. Cristobal and Mt. Makiling and of course, Laguna de Bay.

To the West is Manila Bay and you can even recognize Bataan during clear skies.

East side gives you a lovely view of the wide expanse of green peaks and hills, which form part of the Ipo and Angat watersheds.

Perfect for an overnight stay with friends or your family plus the stargazing, the city lights of Metro Manila, and even the sunset.

Set up tents, set the barbeque grill and chill.

Good for kids and the old too!

Only 4x4 vehicles and motorbikes can reach the summit and camping site. You can also set up camp at the lower view deck. This is where the store is located. See photo below;

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FALLS

There's the Otso-Otso falls in Licao-Licao and the Maranat Falls, which is nestled within the Ipo Watershed.

If you want to go to Maranat Falls, you must secure first a DENR permit. The baranggay officials nor the private individuals owning the section north of the summit of Mt. Balagbag, cannot give you this permit. You need to go directly to the nearest DENR CENRO office to get that permit.

You also need to hire a guide if you want to go to Maranat Falls.


IPO RIVER

You can also check out Ipo River.

Just like Maranat Falls, you need to get a permit from the DENR CENRO.


RESORTS

There are also resort facilities in the area, right up there, around midway between the summit and the jump off.

They have swimming pools, cottages and even jacuzzis.

I counted 3 resorts when I went there just a few days ago.

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Edited by emancampos, May 17 2017, 10:06 AM.
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emancampos
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More photos

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guard house / private property


Edited by emancampos, May 16 2017, 10:20 AM.
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emancampos
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thanks to Anne, who's from another group, for allowing to borrow her tarp. This is Photoshopped

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Edited by emancampos, May 16 2017, 07:04 PM.
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emancampos
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Edited by emancampos, May 16 2017, 07:02 PM.
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emancampos
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Edited by emancampos, May 16 2017, 06:51 PM.
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emancampos
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more soon !
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emancampos
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Tree-Planting and Clean Up Drive


Clean Up

My peers brought plastic bags and even a trash bag with them and picked up trash along the route.

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Tree-planting

Tree-planting is regulated and it is only allowed from July towards December.

What the visitors can do during off season is nurture the plants. Watering, cutting the grass around it and so on.

Each of us brought along 1 liter extra water for the watering of the plants.

I was lucky enough to find a young tree along a trail that was stepped on and fallen. I simply transplanted in to a better spot. I also installed this Self-Watering Device for my video demo.

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VIDEO: Tree-planting

Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQUE12Lrze8

More about REFORESTATION TIPS click here.
Edited by emancampos, May 16 2017, 07:06 PM.
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emancampos
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View around Mt. Balagbag

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view from the Southeast side

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Mt.Oriod is seen from the East

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Northeast gives you the Angat Dam and watershed area

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more of Angat Dam and watershed area

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West side gives you the bird's eye view of Metro Manila. Even Laguna Bay, Mt. Banahaw and Makiling can be seen from this point

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Clearer skies will probably give you a better view of the metropolis.

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Do you notice that lake? That's La Mesa dam


Edited by emancampos, May 17 2017, 10:18 AM.
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emancampos
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This type of bird dominates the summit of Mt. Balagbag

There were hundreds of them!

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Mt. Balagbag


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Mt. Balagbag


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Mt. Balagbag


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