Tuesday, May 26, 2015

TREK GUIDE | Mt Maculot (Maculod) Traverse (MacTrav) 947 MASL



Mt Maculot (Maculod) Traverse (MacTrav) 947 MASL
Mountain Trek Guide

Mt Maculot is a popular hiking destination near Metro Manila. It has three foremost sites; The Rockies at 706 MASL is a high volcanic rock wall that is the Highest Caldera Rim of the former Taal Crater Cone, The Mt Maculot Summit at 947 MASL and The Grotto at 510 MASL which is a pilgrim site during the Holy Week.


 The Rockies is a Volcanic Rock Wall that provides an Aerial view of Taal Lake. Note: This photo is on the South West of the Rockies, taken was during my 2nd climb to Mt Maculot.


The Rockies, on North East side can be seen the silhouette of Mt Makiling and also the Taal Volcano and its Volcanic Island.


Mountain Facts
  • Mt Maculot lords over the Municipality of Cuenca at 947 MASL.
  • This mountain’s close counterparts in height with mountains near Metro Manila are Mt Makiling and Mt Arayat at over 1000 MASL.
  • The Rockies is its most popular site adjacent to that of Taal Lake; it’s a Volcanic Rock wall at 706 MASL that offers a sweeping Aerial view of the Taal Lake, The Taal Volcano, the silhouettes of Mt Makiling and Mt Batulao.
  • The Grotto is a site for Pilgrimage during the Holy Week.
  • During World War II, Mt Maculot became a stronghold of Japanese forces in Batangas.
  • Cuenca is not only popular because of this mountain, it is also known as "The Home of the Bakers".
  • Mt Maculot is thickly forested and is rich in Fauna and Flora, its regular to hear reports of sightings of Macaque (Ungoy) monkeys and Musang (Civet Cat).
  • Most hikers in Mt Maculot would only opt for The Rockies, at 706 MASL it is an easy hike with steep to moderate trail. The Rockies has an open vantage view of the Taal Lake, the experience is not complete though if the trails are not traversed to the Grotto side. The trail from the Rockies, The Summit to the Grotto is lushly forested with evidence of moss growths near the summit.
  • The trail just above the Grotto side of the mountain has 2 roping segments which can be challenging for newbie hikers.

Trail Notes
As of this post; I've traverse Mt Maculot twice last Easter Sunday of April and middle of May of 2015, the same trail for both occasions. I noticed immediately that the town of Cuenca has one too many local bakeries, some are even facing each other in the streets, it's only until I've gathered data for this blogging that I learned that Cuenca is tagged as "The Home of The Bakers". I also learned that Mt Maculot and Cuenca had to go through rehabilitation after the World War II, since the mountain became a stronghold for Japanese forces, and the clashing of military forces left a part of the mountain battered and bombed. 

On the negative side, among the many popular mountains near Metro Manila, Mt Maculot especially the campsite near The Rockies is dirty. On my first climb here, I've seen firsthand the aftermath of holy week climbs, the entire place reeked of fecal waste and littered with plastic bottles that it looks like a landfill on some part. It’s difficult even for guides to educate a herd of climbers during Holy Week. On my return climbed though, the garbage debris has cleared, the fecal waste odor has minimized, I would commend the guides for their effort to clean the mountain. Although it is the hikers responsibility to lessen their impact on this mountain, the guides and vendors are the most affected as these trails provide a livelihood for them.

Mt Maculot is one of those mountains wherein you have to be specifically careful in managing your garbage or food, Civet cats here have been caught foraging the garbage’s that should not be part of their diet.


Suggested Itinerary

Option 1
TRAVERSE (Grotto-Summit-Grotto)

0500 Board Lemery-bound bus from Buendia
0800 ETA Near 7/11 Cuenca. Take a Tricycle ride to jump-off. 
     Along with this ride is registration at the Brgy outpost.
0830 Start trek
0930 Arrive at Grotto.. Take pictures.
1100 Summit -Option for pictures only then head for campsite, or take lunch.
1230 ETA Campsite before the Rockies. Option for Lunch.
1300 Head to Rockies.
1400 Descent from Rockies
1445 Resume descent.
1600 Paliguan to Freshen Up

Option 2
TRAVERSE (Rockies-Summit-Grotto)

0500 Board Lemery-bound bus from Buendia
0800 ETA Near 7/11 Cuenca. Take a Tricycle ride to jump-off. 
     Along with this ride is registration at the Brgy outpost.
0830 Start trek
1000 Arrive at campsite, head to Rockies
1010 At Rockies; take pictures
1110 Leave for the summit
1230 ETA Summit of Mt. Maculot. Lunch
1300 Start descent to Grotto
1430 Arrival at Grotto. Rest.
1445 Resume descent.
1600 Paliguan to freshen up.

Guides are required,
Php 400 for 5 Pax Rockies only.
Php 800/1,000 for 5 Pax Traverse.


Estimated Expenses
Php 147 - Lemery Bound Bus from LRT Buendia Bus Stations, to Cuanca Batangas.
Php 20  - Tricycle Ride per pax from Tricycle Terminal to Mountaineer Store, jump Off.
Php 20  - Climb Registration at the Brgy Outpost, will be brought by the Tricycle Drivers.
Php 400 - Guide fee per day, for Rockies Only, 1-5 Pax.
Php 800/1000 - Guide fee for day, for Climb Traverse.
Php 35  - Tricycle ride per pax from Grotto Side back to Mountaineer Store jump off for wash up.
Php 15  - Bath fee/per tub of water in Paliguan.
Php 25  - Jeep Ride for SM Lipa.
Php 125 - Bus Ride from SM Lipa terminal back to Makati.


How To Get There
  • Take a Lemery Bound Bus from Bus Stations in Cubao or even anywhere in EDSA, or in the Bus Stations in LRT Buendia.
  • Another option is to take Lipa Bound buses to SM City Lipa terminal. From there, you can take a Jeep bound for Cuenca.


On The Map


 Mt Maculot in relation to the Cuenca National Highway.


 Trail Map.


Ang Pala-lagaw Photo Gallery
These photos are all published in my Flickr Account.
Click here for more: Mt Maculot Traverse


 The first group I climbed with in Mt Maculot during Easter Sunday 2015. On the road to the Rockies trail.



I returned with this group after a month, to let some of my Mountaineering friends experience the MacTrav.



Between the Campsite and the Rockies is a Mountain pass with Ravines on both sides.

 
 Mt Makiling as seen from Mt Maculot summit.



Volcanic Island in a Lake, the dome Taal Volcano.



This is one of the Two Roping Segments in the Traverse Trails.



The Grotto Site is marked with these.




Francis Balgos is a Call Center Agent, Weekend Travel Warrior, Amateur Spelunker, Sometime Surfer, Newbie Mountain Climber, Photography Enthusiast, Certified Beach Bum, A first born son, True Explorer...

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78 comments:

  1. Hi, thanks for the informative guide! May I know if you can choose your trail guide in the site? Or can you help recommend one? :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They'll asign you a guide in the registration area. The trike drivers will bring you there before going to the jump off.

      Delete
  2. Mt. Maculot trail is very easy and newbie friendly too..I remember paying only 20 pesos for registration way back 1999 and been there for like 7x during my college years. I didn't know you have to pay Php400 for a guide now..i think its too much. Anyway, nice blog and very informative. Keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. it would be expensive if you hike solo..
      which is discourage in Mt Maculot nowadays.
      Not too expensive if you hike with friends.

      Delete
  3. Hi :) It is really required for us to climb with guides? THANKS :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. how you rate the roping segments?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The roping segment is easy.. going down..
      Going up could be challenging.

      Delete
  5. do you need to have a reservation or something? or you just go there and they'll assign you a guide? nauubusan ba ng guide? and how much for a group of 4? thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. nasa estimated expenses yung guide fee..

      Php 400 - Guide fee per day, for Rockies Only, 1-5 Pax.
      Php 800/1000 - Guide fee for day, for Climb Traverse.

      Yung guides naman po, sila na ang mag a assign, so you dont really need to make a reservation.

      Delete
    2. hi reina, when are you planning to climb?

      Delete
    3. Sir Francis, yung Php 800-1000 guide fee for Traverse climb. Hanggang ilang pax po yun?

      Delete
    4. Sir Francis, yung Php 800-1000 guide fee for Traverse climb, hanggang ilang pax po yun?

      Delete
  6. Open ba ang mt. Maculot pag friday? :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ang alam ko eh hindi naman siya opisina na me office hrs.
      Bukas naman ho kapag weekdays.

      Delete
  7. Sir Francis just wanna know if open sya everyday? Or weekends lang? I'm planning to do it on my own or if may tao dun ksma ko pde ako makitag along sa group.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi sir Francis. I'm planning to do it on my own any day this week open ba sila or tuwing weekends lang? May contact person po kayo dun? I am by myself pero if may group dun baka makikitag along ako.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi sir Francis. I'm planning to do a hike on my own, open ba sya everyday or weekends lang? Any contact person there po? If ever na may group dun baka makitag along na lang ako. Thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jezreel,

      ang alam ko eh open naman yung Maculot everyday..
      maliban nalang kung me bagyo or sama ng panahon.
      pwede din na mag isa ka lang, madali lang yung trail,
      walang ligaw.
      I met a solo climber in Mt Maculot the last time..
      nag tag along lang din siya samin, bale nag add nalang siya ng extra sa guide fee.
      mas tipid yun. :)

      Delete
  10. Pano po kapag naghire kami ng outsider na tour guide/mountaineer? Pwede po ba yun? Or kelangan dun talaga sa kanila manggagaling ang guide. Thanks

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. me permits and ID's ang guides dun.. provided by the LGU..
      They'll tell you its for safety.

      Delete
  11. Can we hike around 3rd week of September?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi im planning to trail in mt maculot this oct 26th. 2 adults. We just have to go there nd someone from there will guide us? Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi, planning to go there by November. May tour guide ba kaming mahahire pagdating namin don? Thanks :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You wont have any issues hiring a guide.. They are available in the registration site. :)

      Delete
  14. hi sir ask ko lang po kung open ung mt.maculot this october 28?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Sir ask o lang po kung open mt.maculot ngayon. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi! Nag pplan kami umakyat ng Maculot at gusto sana namin mag dala ng kotse papunta sa site. Recommended ba to? First timers here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. reco po na may dala kayo na sariling sasakyan. magastos kasi dun pamasahe sa tricycle palang. pero kailangan nyo ng kasama na familiar sa Cuenca, saka depende sa akyat nyo po kung traverse kayo or backtrail na rockies lang.

      Delete
  17. Hi Sir open ba sila kahit holiday?

    ReplyDelete
  18. may food po bng nabibili jan sa area or magddala ng own food?

    ReplyDelete
  19. may food po bng nabibili jan sa area or magddala ng own food?

    ReplyDelete
  20. may food po bng nabibili jan sa area or magddala ng own food?

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hello po ask ko lng if may addtl na bayad po sa maculot aside sa 800 na byad traverse or overnight? Kasi as per taripa nila may addtl daw na 100 from campsite to backtrail or traverse ehh..

    ReplyDelete
  22. Boss madali lang ba talaga yung rapel? Around 95Kgs po ako. Then may problem ako sa left foot(club foot) po. Planning this Saturday sana.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Boss madali lang ba talaga yung rapel? Around 95Kgs po ako. Then may problem ako sa left foot(club foot) po. Planning this Saturday sana.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kakayanin naman po. Di naman siya pang extra challenge. Saka andiyan naman yubg guide.

      Delete
  24. Madali po pang ba yung rapel. 95Kgs po ako tapos may problem sa left foot(club foot) po.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hi! If we do the traverse, do we end up on the same site as we started from? Kasi were planning to bring a car. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You'll end up in another location or brgy but it wont be very far. Trike ride pwede.

      Delete
  26. Hi sir! any update regarding the guides? still required po ba? salamat po.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hi sir! any update regarding the guides? still required po ba? salamat po.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hi sir! any update regarding the guides? still required po ba? salamat po.

    ReplyDelete
  29. may extra charge ba ang guide pag i hire sila overnite?

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi..Nice blog...pwede pa rin bang magovernight camping sa rockies? If so, how much ang charge sa guide and approx. how many tents ang capacity ng campsite. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. May climb kami bukas sa Maculot. Mga gustong sumabay add nyo lang ako or PM me.

      Delete
    2. See you tomorrow Maculot. 😁

      Delete
  31. Hi nice blog. btw ask ko lng sa Feb 14 kse mg mt. maculot kme just worried lng kse if makaka hike kya kme if Sunday yun? then may avail bang tour guide nun? hope you read this. Godbless

    ReplyDelete
  32. Hi nice Blog. btw ask ko lng if meron sila every sunday. we are planning po kse this coming Feb 14. worried lng kse bka pg pumunta kme dun di kme payagan mag hike and wala rin avail. na tour guide since its sunday. hope you read this thanks

    ReplyDelete
  33. Baka po gusto nyo umakyat guide din po ako sa mt maculot ito po contact no. ko 09363001503

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sir, planning on july3 umakyat. Nagtext po ako sa # na bigay nyo to inquire. Thank you po in advance. (Cas)

      Delete
  34. akyat kame on the 23rd wednesday. 2 kame any1 wants to join.

    ReplyDelete
  35. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  36. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  37. possible po ba kaya akyatin ng beginners

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Possible naman. But only you can gage kung ready ka.

      Delete
  38. possible po kaya akyatin siya pra sa beginner..

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hi Sr Francis,

    just wanna ask the difference between "traverse or backtrail na rockies lang."?
    thank you!

    Reply

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hi, is it possible for rockies-summit-rockies?

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hi! tanong ko lang po, may available po bang tour guide this coming august 27 2016? aakyat po kami ng bundok (pico de loro)..mga mag kanu po kaya ung charge sa tour guide? 6member po kami.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sir/Ma'am (anonymous)!

      You don't need to have a guide sa Pico de Loro. Need nyo lang mag register sa Entrance. The guide will possibly appear pag nasa peak na kayo at gusto nyo mag climb ng Monolith. Enjoy! :)

      Delete
  42. Hello. I was confused with the guide sa climb and sa rockies? Kailangan po talaga dalawang guide? Or kahit isa lang for both parts? Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your not confused Sir. Magkaiba lang ang rate sa traverse kaysa sa back trail ng Rockies.

      Delete
  43. Hi sir..tanong ko lang po if may malapit na beach resort sa maculot? Plano po kasi ng group namin na mag beach after ng hike..thanks sir.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello

      Hindi ko po masabi kasi never naman na offer ng mga guides dun ang beach resort. baka meron resort para sa taal na mismo. Tanong nyo na lang po doon.

      Delete
  44. Hi. Good day ask ko lang po saan pwedeng pumunta after mag hike or pinaka malapit na pedeng pagliguan.? Salamat..

    ReplyDelete
  45. hi wer planning sna mag hike dyan s 25 bale apat kami (4) can I have a contact no kng sno pwede nmin hanapin as a guide

    ReplyDelete
  46. .,hi poh gsto qoh sna mag inquire gsto poh nmin mag hike this feb25 open poh ba sya that day tska sno poh pwede maging guide..apat poh kami.. (4)

    ReplyDelete
  47. Mt. Maculot local tour guide pls contact us 09163722649

    ReplyDelete
  48. Mt. Maculot local tour guide pls contact us 09163722649

    ReplyDelete
  49. Looking for tourguide???come climb with me and experience the beaty of nature in Mt.Maculot...just contact me po john paulo malate (09269960145) at your service.(Mt.Maculot tourguide)
    See you guys...Godbless!!!

    ReplyDelete
  50. Looking for tourguide???come climb with me and experience the beaty of nature in Mt.Maculot...just contact me po john paulo malate (09269960145) at your service.(Mt.Maculot tourguide)
    See you guys...Godbless!!!

    ReplyDelete
  51. Looking for a tourguide???come climb with me and experience the beaty of naturw in Mt.Maculot... Just contact me po... John Paulo Malate (09269960145) at your service. (Mt.Maculot tourguide)
    See you guys...Godbless!!!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Looking for a tourguide???come climb with me and experience the beaty of naturw in Mt.Maculot... Just contact me po... John Paulo Malate (09269960145) at your service. (Mt.Maculot tourguide)
    See you guys...Godbless!!!

    ReplyDelete
  53. Looking for a tourguide???
    Just contact me po (09269960145) John Paulo Malate po at your setvice,,!Godbless

    ReplyDelete

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