Mt. Parawagan (Traverse) - A mountain in Wawa that deserves a second look

Since the Wawa Dam area became a significant tramping ground of mountaineers and occasional hikers, it is now very easy to see pictures of the twin mountains Mt. Binacayan and Mt. Pamitinan, including their so-called big brother, Mt. Haponang Banoi, and the more distant Mt. Ayaas.

Without much of a surprise, left in the shadows of these mountaineering gems is Mt. Parawagan, the mountain on the southwestern portion of the Wawa Dam. Because of the established dirt road that meander on its slopes, it does not really attract a lot of hikers and mountaineers to summit it. Nevertheless, it has remained a favorite for mountain bikers and trail runners.

 

Mt. Parawagan....photo taken while in Mt. Binacayan

Mt. Parawagan....view from Mt. Pamitinan

In the same fashion as Sir Edmund Hillary had declared upon scaling Mt. Everest, we decided to go and climb Mt. Parawagan just because "it is there".

At the jump-off in Wawa, we paid the mandatory registration fee of P2.00. Although the trail is actually an established dirt road, we were still required to secure the services of a local guide. Hence, we had no choice but to comply.



From the main road, we followed the unpaved road just after the Office of the DENR. There was a meager cemented portion of the road, which ultimately turned into a dirt road with a gradual but pure ascent. The trail (dirt road) is similar to that in Mt. Balagbag and also to Mt. Tapulao (without the boulders/rocks of course).

Ready to run

A pool of happiness

Ready to run

We are getting higher

...and we climbed, and climbed...

The dirt road snaked through the southern portion of the mountain as we got higher in elevation. We were treated to wonderful views of  the Sierra Madre including Mt. Binacayan, Mt. Pamitinan, Mt. Haponang Banoi, Mt. Ayaas, and Mt. Balagbag. Our guide, Ernesto, even pointed to us two peaks that the DENR in Wawa supposedly intends to open for hiking/trekking activities soon, Susong Dalaga Peak and Mt. Lagyo.

saying so long to Mt. Binacayan...

Approaching the Transmission Tower

L to R: Mt. Haponang Banoi; Mt. Pamitinan; Mt. Binacayan; At the back is Mt. Ayaas.

Mt. Lagyo

We even encountered locals and their livestock along the way. Mind you, the trail is really suitable for trail running (we met trail runners as they go down the mountain).

Our anticipation of getting some needed spring water were dampened as the water in the spring (water source) at that time was a little bit hazy.  Moreover, we were somewhat disheartened to see the water source at a less than ideal state as unscrupulous persons just left plastic sachets in the area.

The water source

The residential area then followed. And understandably, this is where the dirt road started to get muddy because we are now in the plateau atop Mt. Parawagan. The trail also became more open as we entered the cogon grassland. The rolling terrain continued until we reached the junction and took the trail on the right leading up to the summit area of Mt. Parawagan. As we were nearing the cell sites (which incidentally were referred to as radar) by the locals, we turned left towards the Summit.

Muddy trail

Just follow the trail

The junction...upward right goes to the Summit Area

The summit is marked by a mojon which even had the inscription Tribung Dumagat, apparently establishing the place as part of the tribe's ancestral domain. We were greeted by the rest of Sierra Madre (some peaks we have already climbed before), a view of the Ortigas and Libis Skyline, La Mesa Dam, the rest of Rodriguez, Rizal, Bulacan Province and Quezon City.

Welcome to the summit

Summit marker

...I told her jogging lang kami...explains the outfit...harharhar

Montalban....La Mesa Dam

At home in the mountains...

A few meters from the Summit area (before reaching the cell sites), we took a right turn towards the ridge that leads directly to Wawa. According to Ernesto, this leads to the land that their family is tilling. He even mentioned that we can go and fetch water at the brook near the trail.

The cell sites / Radar

Not so obvious trail

From the brook (we just made a side trip), we proceeded towards a clearing and then started the very steep, continuous and slippery descent. Good thing the forest trail provided us extra protection from the sun. On the downside, there were a lot of mosquitoes that seem to follow us wherever we go. It was just great to have the trees, twigs, and grasses along the trail in helping us maintain our balance as we descend that very steep slope of Mt. Parawagan.

Steep downhill...and so slippery too

That's how steep the trail is.

As the steep downhill went on like eternity, we eventually arrived at the 1st residential house in Wawa in less than an hour (it was really a shortcut as Ernesto had promised). We then spent extra time enjoying the clean and cool waters of the brook and the waterfalls near the residential area. Too bad, it is not well maintained. It can be an additional attraction in the area (although the locals were actually using it as water source, so maybe it's not a good thing to make it as an attraction.).

Finally...at the residential area...approaching the Sapa Falls

Enjoying the cool waters

Sapa Falls

After about 10 minutes of hiking from the falls, we again reached Wawa proper and had lunch in one of the eateries. After tidying up at the Ronstown Drive Resort, we spent time to visit the Wawa Dam. At 1500H, we are already back in Quezon City.

While Mt. Parawagan is not as famous as the other neighboring mountains in the Wawa area, it also offers unique challenges and attractions. There are a lot of areas that can be used as campsite near the summit, and I could only imagine how magnificent the scene could have been to able to gaze at the Metro at night. Too bad the DENR supposedly outlawed it. For now, let us enjoy this other mountain in this mountaineering mecca near the Metro.

The ridgeline in the middle is where we descended.

Traipsing Chronicles 025
008.023.015
Mt. Parawagan - Traverse 450++MASL
Sitio Wawa, Brgy. San Rafael, Rodriguez, Rizal
Jump off point: Wawa Dam, San Rafael, Rodriguez, Rizal
Minor Climb: 2/9
Highlights: dirt road trail; views of Metro Manila and the La Mesa Dam; views of the rest of Sierra Madre and nearby areas.

Actual Itinerary

Mt. Parawagan - Traverse

0700H  -  Meet-up McDonald's Eton Centris
0830H  -  Arrival in Sitio Wawa
0835H  -  Register at the DENR / Prepare Gears
0915H  -  Commence Hiking
0945H  -  Reached the NAPOCOR Tower
1000H  -  Arrival at the fork / proceed towards the road on the right.
1020H  -  Arrival at the water source
1040H  -  Arrival at the fork leading to the summit area
1050H  -  Arrival at the Summit
1115H  -  Depart Summit / Traverse towards the Forest Trail
1120H  -  Turn right towards the Forest Trail / before the Cell Sites
1125H  -  Arrival at the hut before the water source / brook
1130H  -  Arrival at the clearing / Start of the steep downhill
1200H  -  Arrival at the residential area
1210H  -  Sapa Falls / Initial wash up
1220H  -  Back in Wawa
1230H  -  Lunch
1300H  -  Wash up at the Ronstown Drive Resort
1400H  -  Left Wawa for Q.C.
1500H  -  Back at the Quezon Ave. MRT Station


Other relevant posts about the mountains in Rodriguez, Rizal that you may find worthwhile:

Mt. Ayaas - Wawa Dam Traverse to Brgy. Mascap
Mt. Binacayan and Mt. Pamitinan - Twinhike