Mt. Ulap, a refreshing traverse day hike on a weekday!

Team Decathlon Clark at the highest point of Mt. Ulap
From L-R: Mon, Perry, Em, Mikee, Conz, Gen, Mons, Dajo, JM, and JL

Six years after ----- I had an opportunity to set foot again in the beautiful trails of Mt. Ulap in Itogon Benguet. This is the first hike I did this year together with my colleagues in Decathlon Clark Pampanga. A much easier than my last Mt. Arayat hike three months ago.

Our trip went straight from Dau, Pampanga to the trailhead in Brgy. Ampucao, Itogon Benguet. The travel took us 4 hours as planned and we arrived timely. It was a weekday, no queue and no crowd during our visit on March 14, 2024. Excitements lies ahead knowing the hike could start enough to catch the sunrise.

Morning scene at the initial leg of the hike

The hike started 05:00 along an ascending road passing the community of Brgy. Ampucao. Eventually going up to the ridgeline revealing the initial views of Mt. Sto. Tomas. Becoming more scenic as the sun rises, gradually illuminating the pine forests environment and overlooking peaks continuum of the Cordilleras. We enjoyed together numerous points of attraction. From the rocky viewing points to the grassland slopes of Ambanao Paway, Gungal Rock to the highest point of Mt. Ulap (1,846 masl). This trail treats us a refreshing cool-breeze feeling apart from the fact that the entire 9km hike have been doable for 6.5 hours in a relax pace. Then, the descent to Sta. Fe through quite challenging downward slopes, several hanging bridge, and cemented path, completed our traverse day hike experience. To reward ourselves more, we did our post-hike by having a late lunch and buying pasalubong in Baguio City before headed back to Pampanga.

Overall, it was a pleasurable comeback hike in Mt. Ulap. It's delightful to be reconnected and witnessed once more the beauties of the great Cordilleras. Grateful for the good weather and good times with my colleagues from Decathlon Clark. Cheers to more hikes and sports together!

At one of the viewing point in Mt. Ulap

Passing through the Pine Forest in Mt. Ulap

Mt. Sto Tomas as viewed from the trail

At the slope of Ambanao Paway, the Cordilleras on the background
Photo courtesy: Monica Sarmiento

At Ambanao Paway

One of the scenic ridge in Mt. Ulap

One mandatory pose at the notable Gungal Rock
Photo courtesy: Dajo Cabradilla

 Group picture at Gungal Rock. Mt. Sto Tomas on the background
Photo courtesy: Monica Sarmiento

At the trail end - Photo courtesy: Dajo Cabradilla