Considered by many as twin mountains, Mt. Pamitinan and Mt. Binacayan are located in Sitio Wawa, Brgy. San Rafael Extension, Rodriguez, Rizal. These mountains are regarded as the home of the legendary Bernardo Carpio. Legend has it that Bernardo, a young man with unbelievable strength and power was supposedly trapped between these two mountains. He used his bare hands to push the two mountains apart from each other, thereby making a gap between the mountains in the process. The gap formed is allegedly the spot where Wawa Dam is found.
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| The Arch in Sitio Wawa just before the Multi-Purpose Hall and the Tourism Office |
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| Km Post |
As climb of the month (May 2015), Gani and I decided to do a twin dayhike of these "twin mountains" as they have aroused a lot of attention from both mountaineers and casual hikers since the start of the year.
We left McDonald's Eton Centris at 0520H for Rodriguez, Rizal via Commonwealth Avenue. We arrived in Sitio Wawa at 0630H, where we saw a number of hikers already on their way to Mt. Binacayan. We parked our vehicle near the Multi-Purpose Hall (cum Brgy. Hall) and immediately prepared our gears.
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| Nearing Sitio Wawa |
At the local office of the DENR, we paid the registration fee of Php2.00 per/pax and P20.00 parking fee. The DENR also required us to sign a waiver and they likewise assigned us Alvin Dalida as our guide (He turned out to be a gem of a guide in the end). And after a few more formalities, we commenced hiking at 0730H.
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| Registration here is also required |
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| The Waiver...at the Office of the DENR |
Mt.Binacayan
Upon the recommendation of Alvin, we decided to scale Mt. Binacayan first. We followed the concrete road leading to the local community and took the right side of the road at the fork (after the soon-to-be-completed swimming pool). It was pure assault from there.
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| The Cemented Road...continuous ascent |
We passed by a giant Balete Tree. Alvin mentioned that the people were able to recover old coins in the said tree. A few meters from there, the concrete pavement gave way to a footpath. While I consider this portion as the easiest part of the hike, this continuous ascent (similar to that in Mt. Gulugod Baboy) is definitely lung-busting.
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| The Balete Tree |
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| The road will give way to a dirt path... |
Just after the dried brook (waterfalls), the stairway ascent followed. This led us to the corn field and eventually the 1st hut where we took a rest. This was eventually followed by a grassland until the 2nd hut (resting station). The rocky assault (boulder section) followed. Corn and lemon grass were actually among the crops planted in the area at that time since according to Alvin, the previous crop planted on the area was tobacco.
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| The Brook that has dried up |
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| Start of the ascent towards the 1st hut |
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| 1st Hut / Rest Station |
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| 2nd Hut / Rest Station |
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| Bouldering / Rock Scrambling Starts |
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| Boulders |
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| the gaps are planted with either tobacco or corn |
The bamboo (known as Bukawe) forest then followed, where the ascent on limestone with notoriously sharp edges also started. The assault continued until the 1st viewpoint. We still had to do a number of rock scrambling / climbing before ultimately reaching the summit. The trail will alternately turn from limestone, boulder, to bamboo forest.
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| Start of the Bamboo forest |
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| The 1st viewdeck |
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| Sharp edged....limestone throughout the climb |
Before one could reach the summit, which is actually an outcrop of limestone formations, one still needs to scale the platform-like limestone formation.
At the top, one still needs to be extra careful of the jagged edge of the limestone. Nevertheless, the awesome view of the Sierra Madre, the Wawa River, Metro Manila and even Central Luzon mitigated whatever tiredness that we were feeling at that time. We then explored the immediate surroundings.
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| Approaching the Summit |
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| have to climb the platform... |
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| At the summit....at last |
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| Jumpshot...Mt. Pamitinan as background |
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| Weeheee |
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| So he did it... |
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| Going down the summit |
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| Beehive |
At 0910H, we decided to descend back to the jump off for lunch and planned an extended siesta. As we were on a twinhike, Alvin recommended that we descend via the same trail and forego the 2nd trail in Binacayan. We arrived at the 2nd hut at around 0930H where a local was already selling drinks to passersby. We really enjoyed the cool drinks that we bought from him, including his stories that seem to animate the mood,
It was already 1000H when we decided to commence hiking back to the jumpoff. At 1020H, we were already at the Brothers Eatery waiting for our lunch to be served.
Mt. Pamitinan
After having a siesta, we decided commence hiking up Mt. Pamitinan at 1200H. We initially followed the footpath at the side of the eatery until we reached the approach of the hanging bridge. We crossed to the other side of the river and followed the concrete stairs that snaked through the residential area. This eventually gave way to a footpath as we entered the confines of the forest.
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| The Approach |
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| The Hanging Bridge |
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| That is where the Wawa Dam is located |
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| Just after the residential area |
At the junction leading to the cave, we took the trail on the left. Here, there were big rocks and boulders that can serve as resting areas for hikers. A few minutes more and we arrived at our 1st rest stop, the giant Balete Tree.
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| To the left...to the left... |
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| The Balete Tree |
The ascent went on until we reached "The Wall" where we saw a number of wall/rock climbers doing their thing. As a group of hikers was already resting at the initial approach of the wall, we decided to continue hiking a few meters more.
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| The Wall |
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| Wall / Rock Climber |
Onwards, we reached the Haponang Baboy Junction (which is also an ulingan) at 1310H. While the ascent will become easier, this also signified the start of the endless rock scrambling and climbing that hikers have to do.
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| Haponang Baboy Junction |
Similar to Mt. Binacayan, the "Rockies" part of the climb is within Mt Pamitinan's bamboo forest zone. Sharp-edged limestone, some of which seem to just cling on to one another perilously. Hence, extra care is really necessary.
There are a number of rock formations which can also serve as viewpoints. However, since there were still a lot of climbers at Peak 1, we decided to continue pushing for the summit and just spend quality time there on our way back to the jumpoff. As we near the summit, Alvin pointed to us pieces of crystal along the trail. We were really very interested in seeing for the first time crystals in their natural environment.
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| Crystals |
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| Start of the Rockies part... :) |
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| Bamboo Forest |
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| Hello there Spidey! |
Although the heat and humidity was really so intense at that time, we were able to reach the summit area at 1350H. Since we know that there are a number of hikers trailing us at that time, and the summit can really get crowded, we decided to immediately scale the final vertical/rock wall leading to the summit.
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| One final rock climbing to get to the summit. |
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| At the summit...and that is Mt. Binacayan at the back |
At the top, we were welcomed by more views of the Sierra Madre, some of the mountains are even potential hiking grounds according to Alvin. Despite the exhaustion, we were so relieved to have reached our second summit for the day. We spent a considerable time in the summit taking photos, what the heck, Engineer was at it again making jump shots and nerve wracking poses.
As we still had a lot of time, we decided to stay for an extended break at the summit area. We decided to leave for Peak 1 (actually more of the 1st view point) only when we have spotted the other group approaching as it means we will have it all for ourselves. It was already 1440H when we left the summit.
We arrived at Peak 1 at 1450. Of course, we spent a considerable time there for photo-ops.
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| Peak 1 |
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| The Hanging Bridge...taken from Peak 1 |
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| Ayos daw sabi ni Engr :) |
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| Rodriguez has become one bustling town. |
Traipsing Chronicles 021
005.024.015
Mt. Binacayan and Mt. Pamitinan (Twin Hike)
Rodriguez, Rizal
Jump off point: Sitio Wawa, Brgy. San Rafael, Rodriguez, Rizal
Major Climb: 5/9
Highlights: Limestone formations; rock climbing; views of the Sierra Madre Mountains, and Metro Manila
ACTUAL ITINERARY
MT. BINACAYAN + MT. PAMITINAN TWIN DAYHIKE
0500 Departure from McDonalds Eton Centris, Quezon City
0630 Arrival at Sitio Wawa, Brgy. San Rafael, Rodriguez, Rizal / Prepare Gears
0650 Register at the DENR and Barangay Hall (Multi-Purpose Hall) - Secure Guide
0730 Start trek up Mt. Binacayan
0750 Arrival at the Stairway
0800 Arrival at the 1st Hut
0810 Arrival at the 2nd Hut - Start of Bouldering / Rock Scrambling - Climbing
0825 Arrival at the 1st Viewpoint
0855 Arrival summit
0930 Start descent
1000 Arrival at the 2nd Hut (Break)
1020 Commence hike to jumpoff
1040 Arrival in Brother's Eatery in Wawa
Lunch Break
1200 Start trek up Mt. Pamitinan
1225 Arrival at the Ancient Balete Tree
1240 Arrival at "The Wall"
1300 Arrival at the Haponang Banoy Junction (start of Rockies Part) / Break
1330 Arrival at Peak 1
1350 Arrival at the Summit
1420 Descend to Summit Area / Long Break
1440 Descend to Peak 1 / Viewpoint
1450 Arrival in Peak 1 / Viewpoint - Photo Ops
1520 Commence hike back to Wawa
1535 Arrival at Haponang Banoy Junction
1545 Arrival at "The Wall"
1600 Arrival at the Hanging Bridge / Back in Wawa
Proceed to Wawa Dam
1620 Arrival at the Dam / Photo Ops / Rest
1650 Walk back to the Multi-Purpose Hall / Brothers Eatery
1710 Snacks / Rest
1730 Tidy up at the Multi-Purpose Hall
1800 Depart Wawa for QC
1900 Back in MRT Quezon Ave. Station
Mt. Binacayan. Mt. Binacayan is shorter than Mt. Pamitinan by just a few meters. Facing the dam, it is the mountain on the right side. While it actually has two different trails, both will ultimately merge on the upper and rocky portions of the climb. However, hikers on a twinhike usually take the shorter route (trail used above).
The summit offers an extensive view of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, theWawa River, and of other nearby mountains such as Mt. Pamitinan, Mt. Haponang Banoy and Mt. Parawagan.
Mt. Pamitinan. The trail up Mt. Pamitinan generally takes roughly 1.5-2.5 hours of ascent. The trailhead starts at the Hanging Bridge located on the residential area opposite the eateries just before reaching the parking area and the queue of tricycles.
After crossing the hanging bridge, hikers will initially have to negotiate the concrete stairway that goes on until the entrance to the forest. The forest cover in Mt. Pamitinan is one of the reasons why hikers on a twinhike would reserve as the second summit for the day. It is a continuous ascent that will pass by the ancient Balete Tree, "The Wall" (the rock climbers' haven), and the Haponang Baboy junction.
The next part of the trail requires bouldering, rock scrambling and rock climbing, which will surely be enjoyable but a bit of a challenge for beginners. The rocky portion is also where the bamboo (called "Bocaue / Bukawe") grove is also located. Wearing gloves is recommended to ensure a more comfortable grip on the jagged edges of the rocks as putting too much grip (like what I did) will more or less cause wounds and blisters in your hands.
There are several viewpoints along the trail, culminating in the summit which has a 360-degree view. Mt. Hapunang Banoy, Mt. Binacayan, Mt. Parawagan, Mt. Ayaas, Mt. Balagbag, the rest of Sierra Madre and even Mt. Arayat are visible. Views of the Wawa River and a good portion of the bustling subdivisions and villages in Montalban are likewise available.
Side Trip
Pamitinan Cave. According to Alvin, the Katipuneros used Pamitinan Cave as their hideout during the revolution against Spain. led by Andres Bonifacio, same as Pinagrealan Cave and Biak na Bato in Bulacan. This cave measures more than a kilometer long; inside were stalactites, stalagmites, column,curtains and other stone formations. On the walls, crystal like powders, old writings dated 18th century, and holes created by bats can be found. By the cave entrance is a terrace specially created and maintained by DENR, serves as the waiting area of the visitors.
Wawa Dam. Constructed in the American Era along the Wawa River between Mt. Pamitinan and Mt. Binacayan. With its cool and refreshing waters that continuously drain towards the Wawa River, it has become a popular summer destination.
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| Fees |
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| We've just arrived |
Private Transport. From Cubao, you may choose to go to Montalban via Aurora Boulevard passing through Marikina and San Mateo.
However, it is also possible to go to Montalban through Commonwealth Avenue, and then turn right towards Batasan (before Sandiganbayan). Then turn right towards San Mateo. At the end of the road, turn left towards San Mateo. Continue to follow the road until you pass by Rodriguez Town Proper and reach Sitio Wawa.
Public Transport. From Cubao, hail a jeepney/fx going to Rodriguez. Tell the driver to drop you off at Eastwood. From there, you may hire a tricycle in going to Sitio Wawa.
Guide Fees. There are no fixed fees but the usual practice is to pay P200.00 to P300.00 for each mountain. As such, it would be helpful for you to use your charm and haggling skills.
Entrance Fees. There is an entrance fee of P2.00 per person. But an additional P5.00 per person will be charged to those who are going spelunking at Pamitinan Cave.
Gloves. Due to the sharp rocks and boulders that climbers will scale, the use of gloves when climbing Mt. Binacayan and/or Mt. Pamitinan is highly encouraged to prevent cuts and blisters.
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