Mt. Manalmon + Bayukbok Cave - Hiking and Spelunking on a rainy day!

Situated within the Biak-na-Bato National Park, Mt. Manalmon is a famous haven for mountaineers and weekend warriors. Last year, it has hugged the limelight due to the unfortunate incident that resulted to the untimely demise of some students of the Bulacan State University. As a result, the LGU, DENR, including the local guides, have decided to strictly enforce a no river-crossing policy as soon as the waters of the mysterious Madlum River becomes knee-high. As an added precaution, hikers are now required to secure permits either from the LGU of San Miguel, Bulacan or of Barangay Sibul. Hence, it is best to coordinate with the guides / coordinators in Sitio Madlum. Hikers are likewise required to sign a waiver at the registration center.

We left Cubao Quezon City at around 0600H and arrived at the jumpoff two hours later. Surprisingly, we saw a lot of mountaineers / hikers preparing their gears. We then crossed the hanging bridge (Thank God we never had to cross the river using the Monkey Bridge) and had to register on the other side of the river.

At the junction...take the rough road on the right.

Hanging Bridge

Looks like the Wawa Gorge

Registration

After paying the mandatory registration fees (Php5.00 per person), we immediately secured a guide and queried whether we can do a twinhike of Mt. Manalmon and Mt. Gola. Unfortunately, our guide (Jek) informed us that they do not allow river crossings at the Madlum River at that time because of the swollen waters of the river.



We then went to cross the hanging bridge back to the other side and immediately commenced hiking up Mt. Manalmon. The trail started with concrete stairs that led us deeper into the woods. And after we reached apex where there is a wall similar to that in Mt. Pamitinan, the trail will start to become downward sloping. The trail then turned into a dirt path until we had to make a mini-river crossing (water is below the knee).

At the apex of the initial climb

The big mango tree...and the muddy trail

The clearing/grassland after the mango tree

Muddy

Mt. Manalmon in the background

We then passed by the trail leading to Mt. Gola (river crossing) and continued the ascend until we reach the clearing before the assault to the viewdeck. The clearing was the result of a forest fire that happened earlier this year according to our guide (Jek). And considering that there are still hikers at the view deck, we spent additional time at the clearing goofing around.

The river-crossing

At the Plateau / Clearing....Cathy, Kath, Abe

On the other hand, the view deck is a big piece of boulder (ala Uluru in Australia) where hikers would usually spend time to enjoy the very beautiful scenery. Just near the viewdeck is a huge tree that seems to cling to a boulder.

The Boulder / Viewdeck

Tree on the rocks

At the viewdeck

A few meters from the viewdeck is the campsite which relatively in great shape. We tried to busy ourselves with the different trees that dot the campsite while awaiting for our turn to enjoy the summit.

The Campsite

Mt. Gola...and the Madlum River

Summit...finally

Ayos pa

My Hiking Buddies from P&A...Kath, Abe, and Cathy



At the summit, the glory of the Sierra Madre greeted us while Mt. Gola seem to stand on guard opposite Mt. Manalmon. We can hear the rushing Madlum River from below and were very thankful of the clouds that made our trek a lot more bearable.

As the storms clouds seem to rush towards us, we decided that it was finally time for us to descend. We found ourselves back at the clearing/plateau in no time. Nonetheless, we decided to take the Gola Trail this time (just for the sake of hiking with a different view). As it began to rain we spent some time at a hut before the rain finally came.

Here comes the rain.

That small white dot in the middle is a windmill...and near it supposedly is the C6 which is already being constructed according to Jek.

Back on the trail, we found ourselves needing to cross a tributary (feeder system) of the river until we again were back at the trail that we previously tramped on. After a brief rest at the mango tree, we continued hiking and finally reached the jumpoff a shade less than an hour from the time we left the summit.

This is where the river crossing to Mt. Gola is usually done.

But as we were practically having lunch on one of the wooded tables and chairs at the jumpoff, it started to rain. As such, we had to rush to the registration area for shelter. As the rain poured without let up, we were forced to eventually proceed with our spelunking while giving a lot less regard to the torrential rain.

We headed first to the Madlum Cave located just above the Stations of the Cross found near the registration area. It was only a small cave and the tour lasted for about 20 minutes only. There are stalactites and stalagmites inside, some of which even glimmer when light is focused on them. This part of the tour is relatively easy as the hardest part really was when we were made to crawl into a chamber near the river.

We then continued towards the other side of the River where Jek lectured us about what we are going to expect in the Bayokbok Caves 1 and 2. As we were really adamant to go spelunking, we hiked deep into the woods (same trailhead as the hike to Manalmon) until we reached the entrance to Bayokbok Cave 2 after 10 minutes.

We literally had to climb, sit, rappel, plunge, crawl, and even twist our bodies as we ventured deeper into the earth. It really was a different world down there. We were all amazed by the rock formations and were wholeheartedly prepping ourselves for the challenges ahead. At first, we tried to be careful in keeping ourselves clean and dry, but we eventually relented as we went on. We were able to reach the exit of Cave 2 after an hour, soaking wet but highly anticipating adventure that awaits in Cave 1.

From the exit of Cave 2, we had to wriggle our way into the woods being extra careful. We finally arrived at the entrance of Cave 1 after that five minute hike in the rain. Too bad, there is a group of hikers that delayed our progress as we needed to rappel down to the entrance of Cave 1. In the next chamber, we were amazed to see rainwater directly surging to a pit that leads to no one else knows. Next is a small chamber where we had to crawl into the other side. This is known as the Music Room as the rock formations produce distinct and pronounced sounds. Then came the rope ladder that we had to climbed. Then we again had to experience the body language before we finally took the slide of faith and the final drop to the outside world.


Traipsing Chronicles 024
007.017.015
Mt. Manalmon - 196 MASL
Sitio Madlum, Brgy. Sibul, San Miguel, Bulacan
Jump off point: Sitio Madlum, Brgy. Sibul, San Miguel, Bulacan
Minor Climb: 2/9 
Highlights: Rock Formations; Friendly Trails; views of the rest of Sierra Madre and nearby areas; nearby caves

Actual Itinerary

Mt. Manalmon - Madlum Cave; Bayokbok Caves 1 and 2

0530H  -  Meet-up McDonald's Cubao LRT2 Station
0600H  -  Departure for San Miguel, Bulacan
0800H  -  Arrival in Sitio Madlum
0815H  -  Register at the DENR
0820H  -  Commence Hiking
0940H  -  Arrival at the plateau before the Big Boulder / Photo Ops
1000H  -  Arrival at the "Big Boulder" Viewdeck  /  Photo Ops
1010H  -  Arrival at the Camp Site / Photo Ops
1020H  -  Arrival at the Summit
1040H  -  Start descending back to the jump-off
1045H  -  Back at the plateau / followed the Mt. Gola trail
1050H  -  Rest Stop at the Hut
1055H  -  Arrival at the river crossing / along the banks of the Madlum River
1100H  -  Back at the main trail
1110H  -  Back at the step ladder like trail
1130H  -  Back at the jumpoff
1140H  -  Lunch / Long Break
1310H  -  Explore Madlum Cave
1330H  -  Back at the jumpoff  /  Safety Briefing for Bayokbok Caves
1340H  -  Commence hike to Bayokbok Cave 2
1350H  -  Arrival at the Cave Entrance
1500H  -  End of Cave 2 / Hike to Cave 1
1515H  -  Arrival at Cave 1 Entrance / Wait for the other group to finish rappelling
1550H  -  Start rappelling at the cave entrance
1615H  -  Arrival at the Music Room /  Wait for the other group to climb
1635H  -  Climb Ladder
1710H  -  Arrival at the Body Language
1730H  -  Exit Cave 1 / Hike back to the jumpoff
1740H  -  Back at the jumpoff  /  Washup
1810H  -  Departure from Sitio Madlum for Metro Manila
2000H  -  Arrival in Quezon City (LRT3 North Edsa Station


Getting There

Private Transportation. From the NLEX, take the Sta. Rita Exit. Go straight to the Maharlika (Pan Philippine) Highway until you reach the town of San Miguel (last town of Bulacan before Nueva Ecija).

At the junction, just follow the highway (left side). At the 2nd Total Gas Station (from the junction) turn right (there is a tricycle station) and go straight. Just after the talipapa area, follow the road to the left and go straight until you reach a fork. Take the rough road on the right. You have reached your destination once you see the Madlum River on your left and the Hanging Bridge. You may safely park your vehicle here. The registration area is still on the other side of the river.

Public Transportation. From Cubao, hail a bus leading to Cabanatuan City / Gapan City (ES Transport; Baliwag; Five Star). Tell the bus conductor that you will alight in Brgy. Kamias and that you are going to Mt. Manalmon.

At the highway (just close to the abovementioned 2nd Total Station) ride the tricycle to Sitio Madlum. It still is a 30-minute ride from here. You will alight at the parking area mentioned above just before the Hanging Bridge.

Guide. A local guide is mandatory for every 5 hikers. The guide fee is P300.00 for each mountain that a group shall climb and P200.00 for each cave that a group wish to explore.

In order to address the issuance of permits, thus preventing any hassles in your climb, you may coordinate with Mang Carling (Carlito Carpio) at +639195746470. He is currently the President of the Madlum Guides Association.

Registration Fee. A minimal registration fee of P5.00 is collected at the registration area.

Store. There are sari-sari stores and also a souvenir shop near the registration area. Wooden benches and tables are also available for P50.00.

Hanging Bridge. Before the construction of the hanging bridge, hikers are required to either ride a balsa or use the Monkey Bridge in going to the other side of the river.

The Monkey Bridge

Water Source. There are no water sources either along the trail or near the camp site except of course the Madlum River.

Biak-na-Bato. Although part of the Biak-na-Bato National Park, the area in Sitio Madlum where Mt. Manalmon; Mt. Gola; and the Madlum Cave System are located is actually different from Biak-na-Bato.

Madlum Cave. According to folklore, wounded katipuneros during the Spanish time and guerrillas during the World War II used the Madlum Caves as a hideout. It is supposedly here where they treat wounded soldiers. There is also an image of the St. Michael the Archangel inside the cave which locals believe to be miraculous.

Moreover, there is a legend that in the old times, the Madlum Cave runs throughout the Sierra Madre and supposedly ends near Baler, Aurora. However, since a giant viper nested on the cave and as time passed by, its chambers began to whittle until it supposedly closed for good.

On a lighter note, the Madlum Cave according to Jek is where the fantasy series "Mulawin" was filmed.

Bayokbok Caves 1 and 2. A very challenging adventure awaits everyone who shall plunge into these caves. There are impressive rock formations, stalactites, stalagmites and other attractions. Not really for the faint-hearted and claustrophobic.