Skookum Mountaineers: Mt. Mamara: a newly-opened mountain in Daraitan

“You don't need to climb a mountain to know that it's high.”

― Paulo Coelho, Aleph

Nestled within a river valley in the Southern Sierra Madre is a paradise known as Barangay Daraitan, which lies within the boundaries of Tanay, Rizal. What was previously a haven for illegal loggers, has now become a sanctuary for mountaineers, hikers, weekend warriors, and casual tourists that ceaselessly flock to the place especially during holidays and weekends. So, as our first hike for 2016, we finally decided to hike in Daraitan.

Mt. Mamara...taken somewhere along the Tinipak River

Mt. Mamara...as seen a few meters from the jump off point

Fly high...Skookum jump

As our plan to hire a van did not materialize, we decided to just meet at the designated stop for jeepneys bound for Tanay opposite the Shangri-la Plaza Mall along Shaw Boulevard in Mandaluyong City. It was already 0445H when we boarded a jeepney, hoping that we are still within the 300 hikers to summit in a day quota that was recently imposed in Barangay Daraitan. We ultimately arrived at the Tanay Public Market at 0610H together with at least 12 hikers that flagged the jeepney somewhere in Cainta and Pasig.

It took us more than an hour and twenty minutes to negotiate the bumpy tricycle ride from the Public Market to Daraitan. We even had to alight from the tricycle for it to be able to negotiate an uphill portion of the General Marking Road (Yes, this normally happens in this dirt road).

From the Public Market to Sampaloc

While the tricycle driver has assured us that there were still not that many hikers who passed by the highway, our hopes were somewhat dampened by the huge crowd at the registration area. It was short of mayhem, with a fiesta like atmosphere. Truly, we failed to beat the 300-hiker rule. Luckily, they offered us an alternative itinerary that includes hiking up Mt. Mamara, Tinipak River, and Maytuntong Cave.

We needed to alight from the tricycle because of the steep and muddy dirt road

Mt. Daraitan....Mt. Mamara is on the right side

Mt. Mamara has recently been opened as a new tramping ground in Daraitan, mainly to serve as an alternative hike especially to those who fail to beat the 300-hiker rule. Mt. Mamara is the mountain on the other side of the river opposite Mt. Daraitan. It can be considered as a the younger brother of Mt. Daraitan since only a river actually separates the two mountains.

We then paid the mandatory registration fee of Php20.00 and secured the services of a local guide. After having breakfast and buying food for lunch at the nearby eatery, we started to follow the road that leads to the south east (right from the registration area). It was already 0810H when we commenced hiking.

The concrete pavement turned into a dirt path and soon after passing by the residential area. We even passed by a cemetery and then followed the river until we reached the area were we did some bouldering. Nevertheless, we were left breathless not because of the hike but by reason of the quaint, serene, and scenic landscape. It was indeed breathtaking.

And there goes the river

The local cemetery

I'll have a dip next time

Sweeper mode

Boulders...want some?

Thank God for all these!

...the water is really immaculate

Breathtaking

Hi ho...hi ho!

We are ready!

Goats

An hour into the hike, we finally reached the camp site. Here, we also had to pay P20.00 for another registration fee (because we have supposedly crossed the boundary and formally entered General Nakar, Quezon). After spending some time for a breather, we continued towards the trail leading to the Maytuntong Cave which is actually located at the base of Mt. Mamara. We then had to carefully negotiate the slippery trail especially the makeshift wooden stairs leading down to the river where another of bouldering ensued.

Some would camp along the riverbank

So now...we are supposedly no longer in Rizal but in Quezon.

Approaching the campsite

Registration 2

From the campsite....we proceed to the Tinipak River

Careful

We go up...then down to the other side.

Good thing for hikers, there is now a makeshift wooden bridge on top of the boulders where people had to carefully do bouldering in crossing the river from one bank to the other side. However, one has to pay Php5.00 for crossing the bridge to and fro.

Amazing

The famous Tinipak Wall

Lyca, Cathy, Jenica, Me, Gani

Water coming out from the cave...

Makeshift Bridge

I hope all rivers would be this clean

We are crossing the bridge.

Boulders

Tinipak River

That's the other side of the river

On the other side, we immediately had to negotiate the incessant and lung-busting assault to the summit of Mt. Mamara. The trail is somewhat akin to that of the new trail in Pico de Loro, Mt. Balungao, and even the initial approaches of Mt. Tagapo. There are instances where one needs to cling to rocks, branches, wooden planks and handles specifically made by the locals to support hikers. As the trail is forested, the tree canopy protected us from the rays of the sun throughout the climb.

Up we go...

Mushroom

So the locals made it easier for hikers to climb

with Lyka...along the trail

Just part of the trail.

At 1030H, we reached the view deck and eagerly waited for our turn to take photos and selfies in the area. This view deck is an out crop of limestones similar to the view decks in the other mountains in the Sierra Madre like Mt. Binakayan and Mt. Hapunang Banoi.

at the viewdeck

with the rest of Sierra Madre as background

Dayhikers...looking for some adventure

Aprub!

Hiking Buddies

Mt. Daraitan...maybe next time

Rockies

The actual Summit Area of Mt. Mamara is just a few meters from the viewdeck. Since the Summit is actually forested and maybe due to the fact that Mt. Mamara is still newly introduced to the mountaineering world, the other highlight at the top is the camp site which offers a panoramic view of the Daraitan river valley. This campsite is about 5 minutes from the viewdeck and may accommodate up to 10 tents. However, there are no water sources close to it so hikers who would spend the night there should bring sufficient water beforehand.

Camp site at the Summit of Mt. Mamara

Daraitan River Valley

Engr.

Daraitan

Heeheehee

It was already 1145H when we left the Summit for Maytuntong Cave. The trail was really slippery because of the sporadic rain while we were ascending the mountain. Also, as the trail is still new, the sheer number of hikers that go up and down Mt. Mamara resulted to bottlenecks that further hampered our progress. I could only imagine the foot traffic in Mt. Daraitan at that time since it is expected that less hikers opted to climb Mt. Mamara as compared to Mt. Daraitan.

We ultimately reached the entrance to Maytuntong Cave at 1315H and we had to queue in order to wait for our turn to enter the cave and have a dip in its underground river. At 1410H, we started to enter the underground paradise that is Maytuntong Cave.

Queuing at the Maytuntong Cave

One needs to harness his/her acrobatic skills and body coordination in descending the cave. Just after the ladder, where we had to twist and turn, we had to negotiate slippery (because people who come and go are wet) boulders and rock slabs. Nonetheless, everybody were in awe of the rock formations, especially the stalactites that hang from the above.

While waiting for our turn.

The cave entrance

Ooopppss...we're going down!

Let's go!

Hey...wait for me!

It's a different world.

Magnificent cave

As we neared the natural pool, we could hear the rushing sound of the free-flowing underground river. The pool can easily accommodate 20 people. And the water, is really ice cold. Nonetheless, once your body adjusts, you can get used to it. We really enjoyed our stay inside the cave since we lost track of time and were in fact surprised that it was already 1500H when we emerged from the abyss.

A wonderful experience

Water is life

Easy does it

The rushing waters going underground.

The Natural Pool

Daraitan is not complete without taking a dip in this pool.

Bbrrrr....

Having fun underground

Crystal clear waters

We then immediately went to explore the scenic spots along the Tinipak River. There are a lot of people there. Hence, it really was an effort to get the best views without any photobombers around. Of course, the foot traffic was a concern for us since we have to make sure that we are able to get a ride home. As we had countless photo ops along the trail back to the jump off point, we decided to avail of the services of a tricycle from the area they call Jampolan (the area where the first set of boulders are located) up to the house near the Barangay Hall where we freshened up.

Tired...but we really enjoyed the hike.

Skookum

The tribal council...heehee

Homeward Bound

who would not be mesmerized by this

After feasting on the different offerings of the locals, we decided to just hire a tricycle back to Tanay Proper instead of riding the jeepney, which decision proved to be a stroke of genius since we arrived earlier than the jeepney that obviously still needed to wait for other passengers.

Mt. Mamara, is actually a worthy climb considering the challenges that abound along its trail. Also, I can sense that there will be a lot of hikers and mountaineers who will do a twinhike of Daraitan and Mamara in the future.

Brgy. Daraitan has really become one of the more popular adventure spots near Manila. I’ve never seen a river as clean as Tinipak River and was really amazed of the Maytuntong Cave. I just hope that the climbers, including the army of weekend warriors who troop there will be more responsible in protecting the place. So that the beauty of Daraitan shall remain to be a blessing even to future generations instead of being a curse to its own cause.

Traipsing Chronicles 032
001.031.016
Mt. Mamara
Brgy. Daraitan, Tanay, Rizal
Jump off point:
Minor Climb: 3/10
Highlights: River Trekking, Bouldering, chance to go caving and swimming in the river; panoramic views of the Daraitan River Valley and the rest of Sierra Madre

Actual Itinerary

0400H - Meet-up Chowking Shaw Boulevard
0445H - Board jeepney bound for Tanay, Rizal
0610H - Arrival in Tanay Public Market
0620H - Hire Tricycle going to Daraitan
0645H - Change tricycle at the Marifanta Highway
0730H - Arrival at the Brgy. Hall in Daraitan (JOP) – Register / Secure Guide / Breakfast
0810H - Start Hiking to Mt. Mamara via river trail
0910H - Arrival at the Camp Site / Register
0920H - Arrival at the bank of Tinipak River
0930H - Arrival at the base of Mt. Mamara / Entrance of Maytuntong Cave / Commence Ascent
1030H - Arrival at the view deck / Photo Ops
1050H - Proceed to Summit / Camp Site
1100H - Arrival at the Camp Site - more photo-ops / L U N C H
1145H - Started to descend the mountain
1315H - Arrival at the entrance to Maytuntong Cave / Queued up for our turn
1410H - Started exploring Maytuntong Cave
1500H - Emerged from the cave / Photo Ops along the banks of the Tinipak
1530H - Back at the Camp Site
1600H - Back at Jampolan / Ride tricycle back to the JOP
1610H - Back at JOP / Wash up
1640H - Hire tricycle / Back to Tanay Public Market
1800H - Arrival at the Public Market / Wait for the UV Express
1930H - Left Tanay Public Market for Starmall EDSA-Shaw
2100H - Arrival at Starmall EDSA-

Getting There

Private Transportation.

Via Cogeo - From EDSA - CUBAO area (LRT 2 Station), traverse Aurora Boulevard and continue straight, then just follow the Marifanta Highway. You will be passing by SM Marikina, Sta. Lucia Grand Mall, SM Masinag, and Cogeo. You will then traverse the uphill and zigzag roads in Boso-Boso.

You will pass by Palo Alto and Garden Cottages. Go past the Batangasan junction that leads to the jump off for Mt. Batolusong. You will then pass by the Sierra Madre Resort as well as the Sampaloc Junction. You will then pass by the road leading to the Regina Rica.

Continue straight but watch out for the markers on the left side of the road. At the welcome sign / markers, turn left to General Marking Road. Continue straight until you reach Daraitan. But again, you still have to cross the wooden bridge. Brgy. Daraitan is still 11 kilometers of bumpy ride from the Marifanta Highway.

Via Taytay - Antipolo - From EDSA-Ortigas, follow Ortigas Avenue until you reach Antipolo. In doing so, you will pass by Pasig, Cainta, and Taytay. Once in Antipolo, turn right towards the Rizal Provincial Capitol and just follow the highway and you will pass by Shopwise.

A few minutes from there, you then pass by the zigzag road until you reach the town of Teresa. Just before the Baras Town Proper, you may choose to follow the highway on the left (right leads to Baras Town Proper). Once in Tanay, you will reach a junction where a Shell gasoline station is located. Turn left and follow the up and winding road. Once you reach the junction, turn left and continue straight until you see the welcome arch and markers on the left side of the road as specified above.

***Should you decide to bring your own vehicle, make sure that your vehicle is in good running condition since the Gen. Marking Road has steep and continuous ascents. Also, the road becomes muddy and slippery during the rainy season. Sedans may be able to survive the trip to Daraitan. However, it will really take a toll with (especially the shocks and suspension) your vehicle.

Public Transportation

From Cubao, take a jeep or UV Express to Cogeo Gate 2 in Antipolo (Php35). Once in Cogeo, proceed to the jeepney terminal adjacent to the market and take the jeepney going to Sampaloc/Tanay. Once in Sampaloc, hail a tricycle going to Barangay Daraitan.

Guides. Local guides are mandatory. Php500.00 for dayhikes and Php1250.00 for an overnight. The Guide Fee is good for up to 10 hikers/climbers.

Also, it is helpful to take note of the 300 hikers a day rule.

Fees.

Registration Fee – Php20.00
Pagsangahan Boundary / Camp Site – Php20.00

Wooden Bridge – Php5.00

Campsites. Hikers may camp along designated areas of the Tinipak River, the Camp Site (where there is a store cum carinderia), the summit of Mt. Daraitan, and the summit of Mt. Mamara. However, there are no water sources at the summit of Daraitan and Mamara. Hence, hikers who camp at the summit should already bring enough water on the way up.

Twinhike. A twinhike of Mt. Daraitan and Mt. Mamara is possible. However, adjustments to one’s itinerary should be made considering the factors that affect the travel time to and from Brgy. Daraitan. Also, there are other mountains and peaks in the area that are being considered for hiking / tourism purposes.

Between Mt. Mamara and Mt. Daraitan

Food. There are a lot of stores and even eateries in Daraitan proper (near the Registration Area/Barangay Hall). You may eat breakfast or buy packed lunch in any of the eateries. Staple include the silog meals, lomi, etc.

Boundary Dispute. There is a boundary dispute between Brgy. Daraitan, Tanay, Rizal and Sitio Cablao, Brgy. Pagsangahan, General Nakar, Quezon concerning the area. However, our guide told us that the same was already resolved in favor of Daraitan.

Treasure Hunting / Japanese War Loot. Stories about the lost treasure of the Japanese Imperial Army during the World War II abound in the Daraitan Area. There were claims that treasures have already been recovered in different sites around the place. This is by reason of the fact that the retreating Japanese forces supposedly crossed through Daraitan in their attempt to reach Infanta, Quezon.