Mount Binacayan, Rodriguez, Rizal (424+ MASL)
LLA (Binacayan): 14°43′30.5′′N 121°11′26.1′′ E 424 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-3 hours
Specs: Minor, Difficulty 3/9; Trail class 1-4
Features: Limestone formations, scenic views of Sierra Madre and Rizal province
http://www.pinoymountaineer.com/2015/02/mt-pamitinan-426-and-mt-binacayan-424.html
We are looking for mountains to hike near Manila and it is in Rizal that we always think of because of its proximity to the Metro. It was originally Mount Batolusong in Tanay that we planned to hike but I've searched a more interesting mountain, rather mountains.... We will climb not just one, not just two, but three mountains.... Mount Hapunang Banoi, Mount Pamitinan and Mount Binacayan.... This is just great!
Rodriguez is a first-class, urban municipality in the province of Rizal, Philippines. It is the northernmost town in the province and comes after San Mateo, Rizal and Quezon City coming from Metro Manila. The town is located on the slopes of the Sierra Madre and features many resorts; it is also the largest town in Rizal province with an area of 312.70 km2. It borders San Mateo, Rizal and Antipolo, Rizal on the south, Norzagaray, Bulacan and San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan on the north, Quezon City on the west and General Nakar on the east.
Montalban, a common name for the municipality up to the present, was its official name from its founding in 1909 until 1982 when the Batasang Pambansa officially renamed it Rodriguez in honor of Eulogio Rodriguez, Sr., a native of the municipality who served as Senate President.
Rodriguez is a first-class, urban municipality in the province of Rizal, Philippines. It is the northernmost town in the province and comes after San Mateo, Rizal and Quezon City coming from Metro Manila. The town is located on the slopes of the Sierra Madre and features many resorts; it is also the largest town in Rizal province with an area of 312.70 km2. It borders San Mateo, Rizal and Antipolo, Rizal on the south, Norzagaray, Bulacan and San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan on the north, Quezon City on the west and General Nakar on the east.
Montalban, a common name for the municipality up to the present, was its official name from its founding in 1909 until 1982 when the Batasang Pambansa officially renamed it Rodriguez in honor of Eulogio Rodriguez, Sr., a native of the municipality who served as Senate President.
We met with the group at Farmers Cubao in front of Farmers Market. The vans going to Rodriguez and Montalban are stationed here. Van fare going to Rodriguez is Php50. From Poblacion ride a trike or jeep going to Wawa, jeep is cheaper but we rented the whole trike for Php60.
Register at DENR for Php50 and hire a required guide for Php500/day. Our recommended guide is Romeo "Jon" Espanola and Rey Pelayo with contact number 0910-1668471.
Our trek starts at the cemented assault... Sementado pero masakit na agad sa hita. The real struggle started after the kubo... Ang tindi! Yun lang!
After the kubo started the challenging trail. It was raining continuously and the other groups are already planning to abort their trek... The rain subsides for sometime and I said "ganun din yan, mababasa din tayo!" so we continued with the strenuous and exhausting climb. One needs proper concentration and care with every step because one wrong step will cause a serious accident.
The first photo op at the tail of the mountain is very rewarding... We were just starting...
Register at DENR for Php50 and hire a required guide for Php500/day. Our recommended guide is Romeo "Jon" Espanola and Rey Pelayo with contact number 0910-1668471.
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| at the DENR Registration Area |
After the kubo started the challenging trail. It was raining continuously and the other groups are already planning to abort their trek... The rain subsides for sometime and I said "ganun din yan, mababasa din tayo!" so we continued with the strenuous and exhausting climb. One needs proper concentration and care with every step because one wrong step will cause a serious accident.
The first photo op at the tail of the mountain is very rewarding... We were just starting...
One hour from the jump-off is this scenery...
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| jagged and sharp rocks at 70% of the trail |
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| photographed by our guide, kuya Rey |
We started by 5:30am so we were able to enjoy the place all by ourselves... Before we ended with the photo ops, the line going to this spot also started.
This is the middle part of the trail... Most of it are sharp rocks ascent. Do not wear shorts for the rocks are really jagged, sharpened and even knife-edged. When I remove my gloves, I got some cuts on my hands and legs though I am wearing a trekking pants.
After this trail is the dinosaur rock formation where we witnessed a pile of people... We said that we will proceed with the summit first to save time.
We reached the summit after three hours because the rain somehow slowed us down. With or without the rain, the trail is extremely difficult, tough and knee-breaker. The trail is mostly rock ascent. This mountain taught me to hop long steps to reach one limestone to another.
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| Mount Binacayan Summit 3 |
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| our dedicated tour guide, kuya Rey Pelayo |
We did the traverse so we were not able to take pictures at the dinosaur rock formation because we went down the other way. Sharper and larger rock formations greeted us on our way down. The trail is truly challenging and honestly I don't consider this as a minor climb. Serious lascerations will result from a simple foot slip. Keep safe all the time!
From summit going down is two and a half hour with rains.
Dayhike Itinerary:
6:00am to 7:00am - Cubao to Rodriguez
7:00am to 7:15am - Rodriguez to Brgy. Wawa
7:15am to 7:45am - Registration at DENR and securing of guide
7:45am to 10:30am- Jump-off to Summit
10:30am to 11:00am - at the Summit
11:00am to 1:30pm - Summit to Jump-off
1:30pm to 2:00pm - Freshen up
2:00pm to 3:30pm - Brgy. Wawa to Cubao
Can do a twin dayhike at Mount Pamitinan or make a trilogy for 2 days.
We hiked Mount Pamitinan and Mount Hapunang-Banoi on the first day and Mount Binacayan on the second day.
From summit going down is two and a half hour with rains.
Dayhike Itinerary:
6:00am to 7:00am - Cubao to Rodriguez
7:00am to 7:15am - Rodriguez to Brgy. Wawa
7:15am to 7:45am - Registration at DENR and securing of guide
7:45am to 10:30am- Jump-off to Summit
10:30am to 11:00am - at the Summit
11:00am to 1:30pm - Summit to Jump-off
1:30pm to 2:00pm - Freshen up
2:00pm to 3:30pm - Brgy. Wawa to Cubao
Can do a twin dayhike at Mount Pamitinan or make a trilogy for 2 days.
We hiked Mount Pamitinan and Mount Hapunang-Banoi on the first day and Mount Binacayan on the second day.
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