Skookum Mountaineers: Mt. Tagapo - Hiking in the middle of Laguna Lake

While we were already along EDSA going southbound at that time, we were still debating where to go for a hike. And since it is the end of the APEC Holidays, we anticipated the traffic down south as countless vacationers troop back to the Metro. Hence, we decided to proceed to Binangonan, Rizal to try our luck for a parking space (our only consideration actually), before we proceed to Talim Island and hike up Mt. Tagapo.

Mt. Tagapo...up close from the grassland

Mt. Tagapo in the middle....Bundok ng Susong Dalaga

We then arrived in Binangonan at 0715H and tried to look for a much-needed parking space. We first tried to park at the nearby church, but since Sunday mass was on-going at that time, we decided to push our luck somewhere else. Good for us, we eventually were able to secure a parking slot (along the road) on the side of the local hospital.

After buying some of our supplies, we proceeded towards the port, bought packed lunch, trail food and water, jumped into the boat headed for Brgy. Janosa (which incidentally was the first boat in the queue), and waited for the departure time (0800H).

A usual scene at Binangonan Port

The boat left Binangonan Port at exactly 0800H. Along the way, we were treated to views of birds diving for fish from the lake, a series of fish pens, and locals doing some fishing. The boat then made a brief stopover in Barangay Buhangin to drop of some passengers. A few minutes later, we were already in Brgy. Janosa.

Boats

The Port

Bound for Brgy. Janosa

Fish pens...fresh catch from the lake...so keep the lake clean.

Before alighting, we paid the PhP30.00 boat fare and immediately proceeded to the registration area that is actually a hut constructed by the local guides. After paying the registration fee, we decided to commence hiking. However, since there was an on-going mass at the local church, we were instructed to proceed via the concrete road opposite the Barangay Hall.

From the main road, we took a left turn towards the concrete path which ultimately led to the trail. This concrete road eventually merged with the usual path that starts from the side of Church. Similar to the trail in Mt. Sembrano, the foot path gave way to what I call the "Rocky Road" because of the rocks that dot this part of the trail.

Welcome to Brgy. Janosa

The street opposite the Barangay Hall

The road that will ultimately merge with the trail

The Rocky Road then gave way to "Boulder Lane", which is that part of the trail where boulders and big rocks are staple. Good thing is that the forest in this part of the trail is still impressive if based on the usual Philippine mountains. The trail is relatively rolling until the humongous Mango Tree.

end of the concrete path

The Trail...you will eventually cross this dried-up river

Boulders

Boulder Lane

The Humongous (famous) Mango Tree

From here, we took the trail on the left and started the unceasing assault towards the grassland. The trail started to tower in front of us, and thus, the climb became more challenging. The dipterocarp forest easily gave way to the bamboo forest, where several bamboo tunnels reminiscent of that in Pico de Loro and Mt. Ayaas seem to serve as welcome tubes that seem to signify a right of passage. Eventually, we arrived at the grassland.

Bamboo grove

The grassland went on until we saw a fork in the trail. But seeing that Mt. Tagapo is on the right side of the trail, we assumed that the trail on the left leads to the Camp Site / Camp 1. We then took a long break under a small tree just after the fork leading up Mt. Tagapo's summit.

It was already 1055H when we continued hiking. The trail leading to the summit, while akin to that of Mt. Smebrano, is a lot steeper than that former. What the heck, the heat is really draining, maybe because evaporation of the water in the lake causes the surroundings to be a lot more humid. Nevertheless, we arrived at the summit at 1120AM.

It was really quiet a relief that we have finally reached the summit. We enjoyed views of the Ortigas Center and Bonifacio Global City, Laguna Lake, Mt. Sembrano, Mt. Banahaw, Mt. Cristobal, Mt. Makiling, Mt. Maculot, and other notable vistas. Another interesting highlight at the summit are the diggings which seem to be the remnants of treasure hunting activities. What is more depressing however are the trash that irresponsible hikers left, or even tried to dump in these pits (Please...leave no trace.).

Mt. Sembrano

Cloud covered Mt. Banahaw and Mt. Cristobal

Rain is coming...

Fish pens on the Cardona side of the island....cloud covered Mt. Banahaw

Northern Frontier

footsie....#newbalancetrail

Mt. Makiling

a very faint Ortigas and BGC

The bigger hole

The one found at the center of the summit

At 1240H, we started to descend back to the JOP. With the continuous descent, we bid goodbye to the grassland in less than 15 minutes of hiking. The trail was very slippery and we likewise had to be very careful not to be tripped because of the rocks and boulders. We decided to take five just near the approach of the bamboo tunnel.
From there, our final rest station was at the Huge Mango Tree already. It was a very long break (15 to 20 minutes perhaps) as we took extra time for photo-ops.

opposite the huge Mango Tree

We then had to look for the house of Kagawad Rodel, as we were previously advised at the registration area that we can tidy up there for a fee. The makeshift bathing area is made possible by sheets that cover its perimeter. Hence, it was really like taking a bath in the province. However, be careful of the wind as it may cause the sheets to dangle, thereby exposing all of your hidden essentials to curious onlookers (harharhar...).

The House of Kagawad Rodel

We then bid farewell to Kagawad Rodel and made our way towards the port. But before going on board the waiting boat, we decided to have some arroz caldo that being sold by one local at the road. At 1610H, we arrived back at the Binangonan Port.

Climbing Mt. Tagapo has a lot of upside. Aside from the hike itself and the views that you will see, you get to experience that very rustic feeling while staying close to the Metro.

Traipsing Chronicles 029
011.022.015
Mt. Tagapo
Brgy. Janosa, Binngonan, Rizal
Jump off point: Brgy. Janosa, Binangonan (Talim Island), Rizal
Minor Climb: 2/10
Highlights: Boat ride in Laguna Lake; forest trail, bamboo forest and grassland; views of Ortigas Center and Bonifacio Global City, the Pililla Windmills, Mt. Sembrano, Mt. Makiling, Mt. Maculot, Mt. Banahaw, Mt. Cristobal, and of the rest of Sierra Madre.

Actual Itinerary

Mt. Tagapo

0530H - Meet-up McDonald's Eton Centris
0715H - Arrival in Binangonan / Port
0800H -  Departure from the Port going to Brgy. Janosa (Talim Island)
0900H - Arrival at Brgy. Janosa (Talim Island)
0910H - Pay Registration Fees / Last minute preparations
0920H - Commenced Hiking
0940H - Arrival at the Huge Mango Tree
1010H - Arrival at the Bamboo Forest
1020H - Arrival at the Grassland
1030H - Arrival at the fork leading to the Summit / Long Break
1055H - Commence final assault to the Summit
1120H - Arrival at the Summit / Long Break / Lunch / Photo-Ops
1240H - Start hike down the Summit and back to JOP
1255H - Back at the forest trail (after the grassland)
1340H - Back at the Huge Mango Tree / Long Break
1410H  - Arrival at the house of Kagawad Rodel / Wash-up / Shower
1445H -  Arrival at the jumpoff
1500H - Departure from Janosa Port
1610H - Arrival at the port in Binangonan
1630H - Departure from Binangonan to QC
1800H -  Back at MRT Quezon Ave.

Mt. Tagapo is the highest point in Talim Island, which is actually located in the middle of Laguna de Bay. The trail is relatively easy to find/follow. However, there were already cases in the past of hikers getting lost, so the local government unit of Brgy. Janosa mandated the hiring of guides. Nevertheless, for easy reference, you may refer to the hike guide provided below:

• From the registration area, follow the small path on the left side of the church.
• Follow the alley beside the school and go past the local community until you reach the actual trail
• Follow the trail (beside a riverbed), and once you reach a fork, just continue following the riverbed until you reach the humongous mango tree.
• The mango tree is ideally the 1st rest station, once there, follow the trail on the left side.
• Follow the trail until you reach the grassland.
• Continue hiking but while at the grassland, watch out for the fork leading to the right side of the trail. Mt. Tagapo should be on your right side and the main trail would lead you to Camp 1. Follow the said trail by taking a sharp turn to the right.
• Follow the trail until you reach the summit.

How to get there

Private Transport. From EDSA-Ortigas, continue towards Ortigas Avenue extension until you reach the Tikling junction in Taytay, Rizal. Once there, turn right towards the town of Binangonan. At the junction, proceed towards Binangonan town proper. Find your way towards the port. (What we did was we parked our vehicle on the road beside the Hospital.

At the port, look for the boat going to Brgy. Janosa. The boat ride is approximately 1 hour depending on the number of stops that the boat will make. In Janosa, just continue towards the Registration Area where you shall be made to pay the mandatory registration fees and secure a guide if you need one.

Guides. Local guides are available for Php300.00 and first-time hikers in Mt. Tagapo are required to secure one. They are now more lenient to second-timers since they no longer required us to hire a guide.

Boat ride. The last trip in Brgy. Janosa departs for Binangonan at 1700H. However, it would be better to coordinate with the people at the pier, or even the locals, as regards this.

Wash-up. There are limited shower areas (locals who allow hikers to shower in their homes) in Brgy. Janosa. However, we were fortunate to receive the advise to look for Kagawad Rodel. His house is just opposite path at the back of the church, and which leads to the school entrance. It is a yellow house with a lot of fighting cocks in the front yard.

Budget. As usual, we used private transportation in going to Binangonan so I can only vouch for the expenses starting from boat fare:

Boat Fare (Binangonan to Brgy. Janosa) - Php20.00
Registration Fee                                       - Php20.00
Shower Fee                                               - Php20.00
Boat Fare (Janosa to Binangonan)           - Php20.00

                                                                   PhP80.00 - aside from the fare to and from Binangonan

And Now, Below are some of the pictures that we took on our way to Talim Island: before, during, and after the hike.

***Credits to Engr. Isagani Dagdag for the pictures he contributed for this post.