Mt. Ayaas - Wawa Dam traverse to Mascap

To climb or not to climb is not the question that we are to answer. Instead we were at that time asking ourselves, where to now? This is what actually transpired when we climbed Mt. Ayaas, a mountain situated in the up-and-coming mountaineering hotbed, that is Rodriguez (Montalban), Rizal.

Mt. Ayaas taken from the Bulakan Tree

 Days prior to the planned hike we were endlessly trying to contact Emman, the guide extraordinaire when it comes to the mountains of Montalban, and with supposed contact for our fallback climb being likewise unreachable, we surprisingly have nowhere to go.

Making our way towards the Wawa Dam

It was already 0445H when I was able to fetch the Engineer at our usual meeting place (Mcdonald’s Eton Centris). With a dilemma of having nowhere to climb, we made a last ditch effort of contacting Emman. Providentially, the other line rang. And from then, Emman told us to meet him at the DENR in Sitio Wawa at 0700H. Consequently, we found ourselves buying for additional supplies and eating our favorite breakfast every climb (Jollibee Corned Beef Meal weehee…”nasa Mcdo na nag-Jollibee pa”.). In that regard, it was already 0545H when we left Timog Avenue, Quezon City for Wawa Dam.

Although we took easy on the gas, we arrived in Wawa still 30 minutes early. Thus, we decided to park at the Multi-Purpose Hall in the hope getting additional sleep. But we were roused by a knock in the front passenger seat window by a smiling man, who turned out to be Emman, our guide for the day.



After preparing our gears and paying the customary registration fees at the DENR, we started hiking at 0715H and made our way towards the Wawa Dam. We continued towards the other side of the dam and had to cross to the other bank of the Wawa River where the trailhead for Mt. Ayaas is located. Apparently, it is also the area where the house of Emman is located.

Wawa Dam

The upper portion of the dam

From the other side of the dam...Binacayan (left) and Pamitinan (Right)

River Crossing

Yuff...wading through the  Wawa River

Is it deep?

At 0740H, we arrived at the trailhead where we saw a number of climbers who camped near Emman’s house. Apparently, the area also serves as a campsite for those on an overnight hike of Mt. Pamitinan and/or Mt. Binacayan.

The Campsite

It was already 0750H when we commenced hiking and made our way towards the Karugo Falls. Aside from crossing the Wawa River, the hike up Mt. Ayaas entails river trekking (during the rainy season). The river (actually more of a brook now, and is actually dry during the summer) starts at the back of the area where Emman’s house is located.

Hiking through the woods

After the Karugo Falls, we passed by an area where there is a pool which is supposedly at least 10-ft deep. According to Emman, the pool got so deep because of the treasure hunting operations that once thrived in the area. Legend has it that among the treasures recovered from the said pool is a big piece of platinum. We then passed by the trail leading up to Mt. Pamitinan and continued to trek along the river.

Karugo Falls

The Deep Pool

Onwards, we continued to follow the river and make a series of river crossings, boulderings, falls-climbing and passed by at least 3 more residential houses. I lost count of the actual number of waterfalls that we climbed and passed by. The rocks and the boulders were really slippery so we had to be very careful in each step that we make.

Just after the 3^rd residential area, we had to pass through a gate (similar to that in Mt. Ampacao) meant to keep the cows from destroying the crops planted by the locals. We even passed through bamboo groves, similar to that in Mt. Batolusong and Pico de Loro. We also saw some vestiges of charcoal making activities. The river-trekking went on until we reached start of the assault towards the NGCP Transmission Line / NAPOCOR Tower. This is that part of the river where there are a lot of boulders and bamboo around. From here, we put on our hiking/trail shoes (although it was really fun hiking with my Crocs…haahaa).

One of the many waterfalls

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               From the start of the assault, there are portions of the trail that are actually clear. Although not that steep, it still is a continuous lung-busting climb. At the initial peak, we were greeted by views of Mt. Binacayan and Mt. Pamitinan. Also, we saw a house on the other side of the ravine which is supposed to be the last residential place in the area according to Emman. Although the footpath will sometimes become exposed to the sun, we still had the fortune of enjoying shade from trees that occasionally come along the trail.

It was already 0950H when we reached the Napocor Tower. This area also serves as a viewpoint since the panorama of the surrounding mountains are already visible. From the tower, we had to climb a fence again and continued to hike open terrain but there are still areas where we enjoyed the comfort of the shade offered by trees. We even had to pass by the edge of a ravine where the trail really became so narrow.

At 1020H, we eventually reached the 2^nd peak after the NAPOCOR Tower and finally saw the Summit Area. As we still have lots of time to spare, we decided to take some time off before we enter the open grassland.

The grassland will remind you of Mt. Batulao. It was already 1040H when we arrived at the Summit. Just before the summit, we noticed a cavity along the trail. Emman said that it was a foxhole built and used by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II (How cool is that!). All in all, there are at least three foxholes at the summit area of Mt. Ayaas. I was even able to pick up a three-inch bullet (How cool is that!). Too bad I was not able to take a photo of it.

Sierra Madre / Panoramic View at the Summit

Just one of the foxholes used by the Japanese in WWII

The summit is marked by a Philippine flag

Emman and Engr.

At the Summit, we were awed by the vastness of the Sierra Madre. The different villages of Rodriguez are also visible, including the La Mesa Dam. The mountains that I easily recognized were Mt. Balagbag, Mt. Pamitinan, Mt. Binacayan, Mt. Haponang Banoy, and Mt. Parawagan. Also visible were Mt. Lubog, Mt. Durumi, Mt. Irid, and the peaks of Mt. Batolusong.

The unique feature in Mt. Ayaas (aside from the Japanese foxholes) is the maze-like appearance of grassland and small trees that seems to be a well-manicured lawn, just below the Southeastern portion of the summit. The “grass terraces” were indeed remarkable and very pleasing to the eyes.

Grass Terraces

Since clouds shielded us from the scorching sun at that time, we were able to spend more time at the summit and even eat lunch there. It was already 1130H when we decided to resume hiking.

We descended down the ravine leading to the grassland terraces. It was a bit steep and slippery but manageable. The trail is still indistinct complicated, maybe due to the fact that only a handful of people has ever tried to climb Mt. Ayaas, much less do the traverse from Wawa Dam to Brgy. Mascap. We followed the footpath, passed through rows of lemongrass (tanglad), and then climbed towards the wrecked and abandoned nipa hut. We continued until we finally reached the Bulakan Tree where wooden benches were incidentally available.

We then followed the path down towards the dirt road, which is effectively a muted version of the trail in Mt. Tapulao since there are a lot less rocks and boulders on it. At the fork, we took the old road on the left as it is a lot shorter. Eventually, the road became a lot narrower and expanded again just as we reached the Mahogany Forest. In a few minutes, we finally reached the first residential house in the Brgy. Mascap (…just forgot the name of the Sitio).

Just before the waiting shed, where the Old Road that we took will converge with the newly-bulldozered road (longer route that I mentioned earlier), we encountered a group of mountaineers. While we initially chose to proceed before them, they were so kind enough to let us hitch a ride until the tricycle station just before the bridge in Brgy. Mascap, where we finally enjoyed cold drinks and a very long rest. From there, it still is a 25-minute ride to the Total Gas Station where we hailed a tricycle that took us back to Sitio Wawa.

Mt. Ayaas, although not yet as famous as the other peaks in the Rodriguez area (but I bet it will also be famous in no time at all) is really one of the better hikes near the Metro.


Traipsing Chronicles 023
006.028.015
Mt. Ayaas
Brgy. Mascap, Rodriguez, Rizal
Jump off point: Wawa Dam, San Rafael, Rodriguez, Rizal
Minor Climb: 3/9
Highlights: River trekking; Water Falls hopping; Grassland Terraces; Japanese (WWII-era) Foxholes; views of the rest of Sierra Madre and nearby areas

Actual Itinerary

Mt. Ayaas - Wawa Dam Traverse to Brgy. Mascap

0445H  -  Meet-up McDonald's Eton Centris
0545H  -  Departure from Family Mart Timog for Wawa Dam
0630H  -  Arrival in Sitio Wawa
0645H  -  Register at the DENR
0715H  -  Commence Hiking
0740H  -  Arrival at Emman's House/Compound on the other side of Wawa River
0750H  -  Proceed to trailhead / Continue Hiking / Start of river-trekking
0755H  -  Arrival at Carugo Falls
0820H  -  Arrival at the 2nd residential area
0835H  -  Arrival at the 3rd residential area (left bank of the river) / 1st gate comes next
0850H  -  Rest Stop at the top of a waterfalls
0910H  -  Arrival at the base of the assault to the NGCP / NAPOCOR Transmission Tower
0930H  -  Arrival at the clearing opposite the 4th residential Area - Turn right towards the tower
0950H  -  Reached the NGCP / NAPOCOR Tower / start of the grassland
1020H  -  Arrival at the 2nd Peak after the Tower
1045H  -  Arrival at the Summit / Photo-ops / Early Lunch
1130H  -  Descend from the Summit
1200H  -  Reached the large Bulakan Tree / Rest Stop
1225H  -  Continued hiking towards the Dirt Road
1230H  -  Arrived at the Dirt Road
1245H  -  Arrived at the Fork / Took the Old Road (left side)
1300H  -  Arrived at the Mahogany Forest / 1st Residential Area
1320H  -  Arrived at the Waiting Shed / Junction where the Old Road and New Road will converge
1335H  -  Hitched a ride to Brgy. Mascap (about 3 kms. to go...Thanks to the helpful mountaineers)
1345H  -  Reached Brgy. Mascap / Bridge / Tricycle Line
1410H  -  Depart for the Highway / Total Gas Station
1435H  -  Arrival at the Total Gas Station
1440H  -  Hailed a tricycle back to Wawa
1450H  -  Back in Wawa / Wash up
1510H  -  Left Wawa for QC
1600H  -  Back in MRT QAve. Station

Guide. There are no specific rates / guide fees in Wawa. It is up to the climbers to determine how much to give the guide for his/her services. However, it is customary to give P300.00 to P400.00, just a little more depending on where you are going to hike. As for us, we paid P500.00 to Emman for the Ayaas traverse.

For Mt. Ayaas and all the other mountains in Sitio Wawa, you may reach Emman at +639493956589. He is the most knowledgeable guide (I call him Master Guide) when it comes to Mt. Ayaas because he mentioned that his father used to do kaingin in an area near one of the peaks of Mt. Ayaas.

Trails. It is also possible to climb Mt. Ayaas using the trail in Brgy. Mascap. Actually, it is the easier trail but the trail from Wawa is a lot more exciting because of the numerous waterfalls, flora and fauna that you will encounter along the trail. Should you decide to use this backtrail, coordinate or at least register at the Brgy. Hall of Mascap and inquire if guides are available (although it is easier to spot and follow the trail here as compared to that complicated trail that follows the brook/river (Karugo Falls).

There are also other variations of the trek / traverse. Better inquire with Emman or your guide about it.

Other Options. Mountaineers / Climbers doing the traverse may opt to not go back to Wawa anymore. Jeepneys, Vans and FXs going to Cubao are already available within the vicinity of the Total Gas Station.

Caveat. Please take note that climbing Mt. Ayaas during the rainy season is entirely different as compared with climbing it during the summer months. The River/Brook and series of waterfalls really swells after a heavy downpour. On the other hand, it dries up during summer.

Wawa Gorge

Water from a tunnel / cave?

Other Mountains in the Wawa Area:
Mt. Binacayan + Mt. Pamitinan Twinhike