Most of the mountains I've climbed so far has trails which only require easy walking on narrow paths and rugged terrain. In some, I've also experienced rock scrambling. But this particular mountain offers more than just an ordinary hike. Although one can reach its summit in two hours, Its trail gives a different kind of vibe. Mt. Sipit Ulang as they call it, one of the many mountains located in Rodriguez, Rizal.
Also known as the Crab Mountain, Sipit Ulang has a very distinct claw-like rock formation located on its top. Hiking on its trail is an easy 3/9 level of difficulty according to Pinoy Mountaineer. And with just an altitude of more than 200 meters above sea level, Its a perfect destination for first-time hikers craving for some rock scrambling adventure.
Also known as the Crab Mountain, Sipit Ulang has a very distinct claw-like rock formation located on its top. Hiking on its trail is an easy 3/9 level of difficulty according to Pinoy Mountaineer. And with just an altitude of more than 200 meters above sea level, Its a perfect destination for first-time hikers craving for some rock scrambling adventure.
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| Sipit Ulang |
My wife and I went to Sipit Ulang by a motorcycle. From Pasig City, we passed through the city of Marikina and San Mateo in Rizal via J.P.Rizal street before reaching barangay San Rafael in Rodriguez (formerly Montalban) Rizal.
From barangay San Rafael, we turned left and crossed the Marikina river spillway to get to Eastwood Subdivision. I had a hard time driving my motorcycle across the spillway because of the strong current. At that time, we didn't know about a safer way, the bridge beside Luver's Resort that will also lead to Eastwood Subdivision. Then from there, we just asked directions going to the barangay hall of Mascap which served as the jump-off point. We passed through the subdivision then to a narrow road that leads to barangay Mascap. We also passed through a SAF camp along the way.
Going to the jump-off point by public transportation is quite easy. There were jeepneys and vans from Cubao (via Marcos Highway) and Philcoa (via Commonwealth Avenue) going to Rodriguez. Get off at Total Gas Station in San Rafael and ride a tricycle going to barangay Mascap. From Cubao, it would take roughly 2 hours to reach the jump-off.
From barangay San Rafael, we turned left and crossed the Marikina river spillway to get to Eastwood Subdivision. I had a hard time driving my motorcycle across the spillway because of the strong current. At that time, we didn't know about a safer way, the bridge beside Luver's Resort that will also lead to Eastwood Subdivision. Then from there, we just asked directions going to the barangay hall of Mascap which served as the jump-off point. We passed through the subdivision then to a narrow road that leads to barangay Mascap. We also passed through a SAF camp along the way.
Going to the jump-off point by public transportation is quite easy. There were jeepneys and vans from Cubao (via Marcos Highway) and Philcoa (via Commonwealth Avenue) going to Rodriguez. Get off at Total Gas Station in San Rafael and ride a tricycle going to barangay Mascap. From Cubao, it would take roughly 2 hours to reach the jump-off.
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| Crossing the spillway |
Upon arriving at the jump-off, friendly locals welcomed us with smiles and greetings. I think they already knew the reason why we're there. We registered and signed a waiver at the barangay hall and there we paid 50 pesos as an environmental fee. We also met Raffy (0921-5693441), our local guide. We planned to do a traverse going up through the longer New Trail (Paniki Trail) then down through the easier Old Trail (Banayad Trail).
[UPDATE: As of January 2016, local guides have a fixed rate of 400 pesos for Sipit Ulang. Additional fees are charged if you're going to Payaran Falls. Cellphone signals are limited in the area so we had a hard time reaching Raffy through his numbers. A new trail is now open and they called it "super trail". It offers a higher level of rock scrambling and trekking through a scenic view of Mts. Ayaas and Hapunang Banoi.]
The trek started on the paved road then we turned right on a trail where small houses are situated. We passed through a stream then the hike continued through a forest trail. After a few minutes of continuous ascend along the forest trail, we took a break on a space where benches made of bamboos can be found.
We continued the trek passing along huge limestone and bamboo trees. We also have to cross bamboo bridges and scramble over tall rock walls. I must say that those were the exciting parts of the trail.
[UPDATE: As of January 2016, local guides have a fixed rate of 400 pesos for Sipit Ulang. Additional fees are charged if you're going to Payaran Falls. Cellphone signals are limited in the area so we had a hard time reaching Raffy through his numbers. A new trail is now open and they called it "super trail". It offers a higher level of rock scrambling and trekking through a scenic view of Mts. Ayaas and Hapunang Banoi.]
The trek started on the paved road then we turned right on a trail where small houses are situated. We passed through a stream then the hike continued through a forest trail. After a few minutes of continuous ascend along the forest trail, we took a break on a space where benches made of bamboos can be found.
We continued the trek passing along huge limestone and bamboo trees. We also have to cross bamboo bridges and scramble over tall rock walls. I must say that those were the exciting parts of the trail.
It's already noon as we continued our trek, good thing the huge limestone and tall trees covered our trail. We went inside a small cave and there we had to climb a tall bamboo ladder to get to the other side.
We passed by another stop over spot but we decided to continue our trek. A series of forest trail, small caves and narrow stone walls follows. Bamboo trees are abundant on that area. Beware of touching the hairy part of the bamboo to avoid having splinters or better yet, wear a hiking gloves as it will be useful during the course of the climb.
Sharp and pointy rocks are also scattered along the trail specially inside the small caves. Those were the trails where ordinary soles would give up.
Sharp and pointy rocks are also scattered along the trail specially inside the small caves. Those were the trails where ordinary soles would give up.
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| Avoid touching this hairy part of the bamboo |
We took our lunch beneath a balete (banyan) tree. This tree also serves as another stop over station for the hikers. After a satisfying lunch, short talks and some photo ops, we continued our trek.
Be mindful of the barbed wires lying on the trail. It serves as a boundary for lot properties. This might be dangerous to those who are wearing shoes with thin soles.
Be mindful of the barbed wires lying on the trail. It serves as a boundary for lot properties. This might be dangerous to those who are wearing shoes with thin soles.
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| Balete Tree Stop over |
We started to feel the heat of the sun as we get closer and closer to the summit. A view of the town of Rodriguez can be seen along the trail. We also saw a vast area of the mountain being developed either as a real estate or a gravel and sand factory (not sure about the last one). We also passed along the trails where the view of Gethsemane Prayer Mountain can be seen (Korean School as our guide call it).
There is a point where we have to pass a trail between a stone wall and a cliff. The cliff is very stiff but the bamboo plants alongside provide illusion that it's not, but the trail is wide enough for people to pass through.
There is a point where we have to pass a trail between a stone wall and a cliff. The cliff is very stiff but the bamboo plants alongside provide illusion that it's not, but the trail is wide enough for people to pass through.
After a few minutes, we reached the summit. Trees are a lot less in this area than on the trail. Limestones are everywhere as I look around the surroundings. Seeing the towering rock formation of Sipit Ulang surely ignited my urge to go climb up on its top.
Raffy told us that sometimes, the place gets too crowded so hikers need to line up and wait for their turn to go up to the peak. The locals build bamboo benches within the area too. Barangay Tanods were also stationed at the site.
Raffy told us that sometimes, the place gets too crowded so hikers need to line up and wait for their turn to go up to the peak. The locals build bamboo benches within the area too. Barangay Tanods were also stationed at the site.
There are two ways to climb up the peak, Either you climb up from the right side or take the bamboo ladder on the left. Climbing up to its two towering rocks is challenging. Still, I managed to climb up one of the two rocks of Sipit Ulang and it was priceless!
From the top, a magnificent view awaits to be seen. The mountains of Ayaas, Hapunang Banoi, Pamitinan and Binacayan are lined up from afar. The town of Rodriguez looks very small from where I stand. Sitting on top of that rock is a very exciting experience. It's like having a sense of connection to the earth. The sharp rocks and the heat of the sun didn't stop us from conquering the heights of Sipit Ulang.
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| Mt. Ayaas (top), Mts. Hapunang Banoi, Pamitinan and Binacayan (from left to right - middle) and Eastwood Subdivision (bottom) as seen from the summit. |
Going back to the jump-off point is way easier through the old (Banayad) trail. The trails somehow looked similar to the Paniki trail but without the rock scrambling, ladder climbing and bridge crossing.
Raffy told us that the authorities are making new trails going to Sipit Ulang and to a newly discovered cave.
We passed by another stream after a long forest trail then to a wider trail until we reached the paved road. We got back at the barangay hall in no time.
Raffy told us that the authorities are making new trails going to Sipit Ulang and to a newly discovered cave.
We passed by another stream after a long forest trail then to a wider trail until we reached the paved road. We got back at the barangay hall in no time.
Sadly, because of some time issues, our plan on going to Payaran Falls got cancelled. Logging out at the barangay hall marks the end of our Sipit Ulang adventure. The usual guide fee is 400 pesos but we gave Raffy an extra tip for being very friendly and nice. We're very thankful we had him during the whole experience.
We took a shower at a place beside the barangay hall for a fee of 25 pesos. Then we ate at a canteen nearby before bidding goodbye to the friendly and humble community of Mascap.
All in all, our climb went smoothly. Thank God, we got back safe.
Because of the abundant limestone along the trail (specially at the Paniki Trail), wearing a durable footwear is advisable. Hiking gloves might be a big help too. Two liters of water is more than enough for the whole climb. I'm not sure if the water on the streams are safe to drink but aside from those, we did not find any other water source on both trails.
Both trails are free from unnatural waste but we found some empty bottles and plastic wrappers inside the small caves and at the summit.
I must say that the Eco-tourism industry in Mascap is starting to blossom specially now that Sipit Ulang is becoming more popular among hikers and travelers. I hope the authorities and the visitors will maintain the cleanliness of the surroundings. I'm a bit concerned though about their plan to develop the place like building additional bench or small stores along the trail or even at the summit. Commercial development might be good for the industry as long as it will not have any negative impact on the environment.
As for me, just by having those exciting trails, thrilling rock formations and awesome summit view, Sipit Ulang might just become an epitome of a newbie hiker's paradise.
We took a shower at a place beside the barangay hall for a fee of 25 pesos. Then we ate at a canteen nearby before bidding goodbye to the friendly and humble community of Mascap.
All in all, our climb went smoothly. Thank God, we got back safe.
Because of the abundant limestone along the trail (specially at the Paniki Trail), wearing a durable footwear is advisable. Hiking gloves might be a big help too. Two liters of water is more than enough for the whole climb. I'm not sure if the water on the streams are safe to drink but aside from those, we did not find any other water source on both trails.
Both trails are free from unnatural waste but we found some empty bottles and plastic wrappers inside the small caves and at the summit.
I must say that the Eco-tourism industry in Mascap is starting to blossom specially now that Sipit Ulang is becoming more popular among hikers and travelers. I hope the authorities and the visitors will maintain the cleanliness of the surroundings. I'm a bit concerned though about their plan to develop the place like building additional bench or small stores along the trail or even at the summit. Commercial development might be good for the industry as long as it will not have any negative impact on the environment.
As for me, just by having those exciting trails, thrilling rock formations and awesome summit view, Sipit Ulang might just become an epitome of a newbie hiker's paradise.
Killed Bills
50.00 - Gasoline Budget (100 for 2 person)
50.00 - Environmental Fee (Baranggay Hall)
200.00 - Guide Fee (400 for 2 person)
25.00 - Shower Room Fee
170.00 - Food Budget
TOTAL: Php 495.00
50.00 - Gasoline Budget (100 for 2 person)
50.00 - Environmental Fee (Baranggay Hall)
200.00 - Guide Fee (400 for 2 person)
25.00 - Shower Room Fee
170.00 - Food Budget
TOTAL: Php 495.00
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