By: Ramon Q. Gayas
Jr. (Ser Montaineer)
Acknowledgement: I Ramon Q. Gayas
Jr. would like to extend my gratitude to all the people who helped us in making
our climb possible especially to the following persons: Professor Anacleto M.
Caringal of Batangas State University, Glenda Alda, and to our guide Serafin De
Chavez, I would also like to thank my team who did the said climb: Lhaine
Bonganay, Monna Policarpio, Jep Erenio, and Ayra Robellon, as it
would have been close to impossible to have succeeded without their support.
OVERVIEW
Rises at the mountainous corridor, possess enough elevation that affords great views, and astride in a place near to waterfalls and sea, is the little-known landscape named "Sombrero Peak", a rare-explored and scenic sub-mountain in Lobo-San Juan Mountain Range. Sombrero, means "hat" - an excerpted epithet from the rich imagination of the local folks who witnessed this "hat-shaped" mountain of Lobo - is a hiking-potential grassy hill which is commonly seen when ascending "Nagpatong Peak" and "Kogonan Ridge", and is recognized as the "next attraction" of mountain eco-tourism scene in Lobo Batangas, a pleasant addition to the hiking destinations of the said town.
The hike up to Sombrero Peak is doable within
2 to 2.5 hours, which originates from the coastal road in Brgy. Sawang, particularly
at the trail head of Sitio Ulpong (jump-off). The venture is officially
commences on its cemented pathway, which is heading to the rough road, this can
be pass through trailing or via four-wheel vehicle, or local tricycle ride. Hence,
hikers have the chance to shorten the trek of adventure. However, the initial trail
is worth to trek, very suitable for warm-up, as the way is holds within the
pleasant community and impressive coconut farmland. The rides is approximately
10 to 15 minutes, while the trek may take 45 minutes from the jump-off towards
to the midway point, that is in between Sawang's watershed station (left lane),
and house of well-known local guide Serafin De Chavez (right lane), which marks
the start of ascent to Sombrero Peak. At this point, the trail becomes slanted
and the hike requires trekking through woodland, follows with sugar apple
plantation and "Alibangbang" (bauhinia malabarica) forest, then
further up to the grassy slopes which culminate in a 360 degree view summit.
Just like the viewpoint of other hiking
destinations in Lobo, the top of sombrero peak offers opportunity to the
trekker to behold the breathtaking view of verde island corridor and to glimpse
some of mindoro's islets and prominent mountains (Mt. Halcon and Mt. Malasimbo)
which are specially appears on view during the cloudless time. Sombrero peak
also gives way to hikers to contemplate the other spectacles in the area such
as; blue seascape of sawang, magnificent formation of ilijan-lobo coast, lobo
river's delta and lowland greeneries. Additionally, the contiguous peaks of
Lobo Mountain Range are also seen there, specifically the "Paetehan",
"Bintana", "Bangkalan", "Nagpatong" and
"Pintuang Bato", while the "Kogonan Ridge" is looks tiny
patch of grass on its forested continuum. Moreover, one can appreciate the
beautiful array of Mt. Pulot-Itaas, Mt. Tibig and Mt. Banoi range looming in
the great horizon.
On the trek back, there is a path that leads
to remarkable "Ulpong Falls", which will be encounter at the midway
point. Visiting the waterfalls is easy, as the en route passes through moderate
and mostly straightforward river bank. Perhaps, Ulpong is apparently looks the
same, or a reminiscent of "talon mini-falls" in Jaybanga-Mt. Naguiling.
Interestingly, hikers may capture the "bell-shaped" feature of
ulpong, depends on the angle of photography. With its distinct characteristic,
Ulpong falls is a nice spot to visit after hiking Sombrero Peak. Alternatively,
- same as Ulpong falls - the beach resorts lies near the jump-off area might be
an enjoyable side trip of Sombrero Peak escapade.
ENVIRONMENTAL NOTES
Climbers are advised to be responsible in hiking Sombrero Peak; avoid mass climbing to prevent trail degradation, noise and wildlife disturbance. Do not leave garbage, human foods, or any foreign objects which can harm the mountain's flora and fauna. Be careful when using igniting materials to ensure the area is free from destructive fire. To minimize the impact of arrivals to the grassy vegetation, camping at the summit is strongly discouraged. However, there is a potential campsite prior to it, which may use by small group for overnight staying.
ADDITIONAL
INFORMATION
 |
| THE HAT-SHAPED WONDER OF SOMBRERO PEAK IN PANORAMIC PHOTO |
Rises at the mountainous corridor, possess enough elevation that affords great views, and astride in a place near to waterfalls and sea, is the little-known landscape named "Sombrero Peak", a rare-explored and scenic sub-mountain in Lobo-San Juan Mountain Range. Sombrero, means "hat" - an excerpted epithet from the rich imagination of the local folks who witnessed this "hat-shaped" mountain of Lobo - is a hiking-potential grassy hill which is commonly seen when ascending "Nagpatong Peak" and "Kogonan Ridge", and is recognized as the "next attraction" of mountain eco-tourism scene in Lobo Batangas, a pleasant addition to the hiking destinations of the said town.
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| THE VIEW PRIOR TO GRASSY SLOPE |
 |
| THE BLOGGER AT THE SUMMIT VIEWPOINT |
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| THE BELL-SHAPED FEATURE OF ULPONG FALLS |
ENVIRONMENTAL NOTES
Climbers are advised to be responsible in hiking Sombrero Peak; avoid mass climbing to prevent trail degradation, noise and wildlife disturbance. Do not leave garbage, human foods, or any foreign objects which can harm the mountain's flora and fauna. Be careful when using igniting materials to ensure the area is free from destructive fire. To minimize the impact of arrivals to the grassy vegetation, camping at the summit is strongly discouraged. However, there is a potential campsite prior to it, which may use by small group for overnight staying.
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| THE BLOGGER'S TEAM (L-R) Ser Montaineer, Jep Erenio, Ghislaine Bonganay, Monna Policarpio and Ayra Robellon |
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| VERDE ISLAND CORRIDOR AND COAST OF ILIJAN LOBO |
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| AS VIEWED FROM SOMBRERO PEAK |
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| AS VIEWED FROM SOMBRERO PEAK |
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| AS VIEWED FROM SOMBRERO PEAK |
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| ULPONG FALLS AS VIEWED FROM OTHER VANTAGE POINT |
Mountain’s Profile
|
Major jump-off: Sitio Ulpong, Brgy, Sawang
Lobo, Batangas
Elevation: 400+MASL unverified
Hours of Climbing: 2 to 2.5 hours
Days of Climbing: 1 Day
Alternate trail: En route to Ulpong Falls
Specs: Minor Climb
Difficulty: 2/9
Trail classes: Pathway to rough road,
woodland, sugar apple plantation, array of alibangbang trees, grassy trail
Features: Coconut farmland, scenic views,
coastal view, exploratory, mini-falls
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Transportation
(As of November 29, 2015)
|
For commuters: P127 - BUS - Manila to
Batangas City Grand Terminal
P20 - JEEP - Batangas City to Lobo Jeep
Terminal (2 rides)
P56 - JEEP – Lobo Terminal to Lobo
Poblacion
P100-150 -TRICYCLE - Poblacion to Sitio
Ulpong, Brgy, Sawang
Last trips: Lobo Poblacion to Batangas City
-1700 / Batangas City Grand Terminal to Manila - 2030 PM
24 hours Bus Terminal: Batangas Pier and Lipa
For private transportation: Head out your
trip to Batangas City Diversion Road via SLEX Star toll-way, then take the
road to Lobo, Batangas (left corner of diversion). From Poblacion, proceed to
Brgy. Sawang coastal road and alight at the waiting shed of Sitio Ulpong
(Kanto ng Sawang). Ask the locals about parking area. Approximately 3 to 3.5
hours travel time from Buendia, Taft Avenue.
|
Registration / Coordination
|
Register at PNP Lobo, pay tourism fee for
P20 (as of November 29, 2015)
Coordinate you hiking/camping plan to the
local guide, Serafin De Chavez
|
Contact Persons / Numbers
|
Local Guide - Serafin De Chavez 09072029953
For Guide and Jeepney arrangement- You may contact Ms. Glenda Alda at 09053874468 she might be willing to assist hikers
For eco-tour in Lobo – Prof. Anacleto
Caringal of BSU 09369365887
For emergency - Lobo Hotline 09983144867
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Guide fee / Guideship notes
|
Guide is highly recommended (new hiking
destination)
The blogger paid the guide worth P750, for day tour in Sombrero Peak and
Ulpong Falls
|
Water source
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Available at the Jump-off and lowland
community, no water source along the trail and campsite
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Hiking notes and Precautions
|
Note – New hiking destination
Prerequisite – 2 to 3 hours day hike
experience is an advantage, appropriate for beginner
Day hike – Highly recommended
Night trekking – Coordinate night trek plan
to local guide before proceeding
Cell phone signal – Present at the
jump-off, sporadic at the entire trail
Amount of water to bring – 2 to 3L for day
hike, 4-5L for overnight
Sun exposure – Many portion of the trails
are exposed to sunlight, mostly at the summit.
River Crossing – Nothing major, but
weather-dependent
Terrain condition – Well-established,
gradual to slanted and slippery when wet.
Thorny Plants – Minimal
Bladed Grass - Minimal
Rope segment – None
Limatik – None
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Campsite / Camping notes
|
Camping at the ridge prior to summit is
possible (6 to 7 tents), coordinate your camping plan for camp reservation
and bring enough water (4-5L). However, camping at the summit area is not
recommended, to minimize the impact of arrivals to the grassy vegetation.
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Side Trip and Facilities
|
Ulpong Falls – see the Itinerary below
Sawang Beach – Ask the locals about
resorts’ fees (entrance, cottage and camping) if you have plan to stay
overnight, consider time adjustment
Shower area – At the trailhead of community
Sari-sari store – At the trailhead of community
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Estimated Budget
|
P900 - See sample budget computation below
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SAMPLE ESTIMATED BUDGET COMPUTATION (for manila-base hikers)
Number of participants
|
5 persons
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Duration
|
1 Day / Day Hike
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Transportation
|
P254 per person: BUS - Manila to Batangas
City Grand Terminal (back and forth
P40 per person: JEEP (2x) - Batangas City
to Don Ramos, to Lobo Jeep Terminal (back and forth)
P112 per person: JEEP – Lobo Terminal to
Lobo Poblacion (back and forth)
P40 per person: TRICYCLE - Poblacion to
Sitio Ulpong (back and forth)
|
Guide fee
|
P150 per person
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Contingency fund
|
P304 per person
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TOTAL
|
P900
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SUGGESTED ITINERARY
Day hike: Sombrero Peak + Ulpong Falls
0330- Assembly at KFC Buendia near Gil Puyat
LRT Station
0400- ETD to Batangas Grand terminal
0600- ETA Grand Terminal / take jeepney to don
ramos, then take jeepney to lobo Jeep terminal (2rides)
0630- ETA Lobo Jeep Terminal/ take jeep to
lobo poblacion
0730- ETA Lobo Poblacion / register at PNP
station / take tricycle to Brgy. Sawang
0800- ETA Brgy. Sawang / get guide/ start trek
0845- ETA De Chavez residence / rest stop
0900 Resume trek / stop over at sombrero
ridge/ take photo / resume ascent
1030- ETA Summit / explore the area / take
photo / back trail to ridge / rest and lunch
1300- Head back to De Chavez residence
1330- ETA De Chavez residence / rest and
detour to Ulpong Falls (optional)
1400- ETA Ulpong Falls / rest and explore the
area
1430- Head back to jump-off
1530- ETA Sawang’s coastal road / visit
sawang beach (optional) / rest, shower and headback to poblacion
1630- ETA Poblacion jeep terminal / head back
to grand terminal
1800- ETA Grand terminal / head back to
manila
2100- ETA Manila
