Walk in the Park, Mt. Manalmon Climb

Walk in the Park
Mt. Manalmon Climb
San Miguel Bulacan
October 16-17, 2004

Trailhead to jump-off

From St. Paul, Sn Miguel, Bulacan, on a long bumpy road towards Biak-na-Bato National Park, we have passed Sibul Spring intersection trailhead for our Madlum jump-off. Unfamiliar with the place, we went straight to the park’s information office for details. By around 9:20 am, we arrived at Biak-na-Bato National Park Information Office. After some brief inquiries, we then ate "brunch" and head towards Sitio Madlum. Upon boarding our vehicle, I checked the time, it’s exactly 11:00 o’clock in the morning.

Towards Madlum River

Forty minutes after, we arrived at Madlum checkpoint, we at once logged-in at the checkpoint’s control book and with packs already on our backs we then hike downhill towards Madlum River. Upon reaching it’s banks, local instructed us to cross the river and follow the trail until reaching Mt. Manalmon-Mt. Gola Guide Station. We again took a break on a bench under the shade of a big acacia tree overlooking the inviting deep green water of the river. After a quick instructions from the guide, we then very eagerly proceeded with the much awaited trek to Mt. Manalmon.

Walk in the Park

As we began ascending big boulders of age-old rocks to cross a hill, very shortly then, a magnificent view took us to a somewhat instant travel to a majestic foreign land. I was still holding my eyes wide open seeing the grandeur of the location when suddenly the trail lead us to a cave’s mouth and that we have to go into and cross to get to the other end of another hill beside the Madlum river. Getting inside and crossing the cave was spectacular. After spelunking, we then crossed the river. Amazed I was, looking back was a huge rock monument about 140 meters high that we just crossed using the cave. It was undeniably beautiful and cannot believe that the location was just a stone-throw away from Manila. The supposedly thirty minutes trek towards Mt. Manalmon’s foot became so long that we enjoyed viewing the scenic pleasures offered by the place. We took hundred pictures and we still haven’t reached the summit yet! Clearly, to my expectation it seems to me and truly it was: a "walk in the park".

At the summit

Reaching the foot by the river banks, we then decided to at once enjoy the tranquility of the place and feel more of its aura by lying on it’s ground while we sip some hot drinks. It was a satisfying treat for all of us. It was just past two o’clock then. By 2:25 pm, after packing out things up we started the Mt. Manalmon assault. And at exactly 2:55 in the afternoon, so early to our expectation, we touched ground the 160 meters high Mt. Manalmon’s summit. On the summit was a huge semi-shaded area that we at once picked as our camp. Beside it was a huge rock’s flat surface leveled with the ground we intend to use as our kitchen and mess area. Northeastern side of our camp was a gigantic piece of rock you can walk on reaching it’s further end: the view deck. At the deck, I can clearly see Mt. Gola on the east; Mt. Mavio, Mt. Susong-dalaga and the rest of the Biak-na-Bato National Park on the south; on the western side is the Municipality of San Miguel while on the north lies the rest of the Madlum river.

The night’s socials

After setting-up camp, I explored the rest of the summit then took time-out to relax on board my hammock under a "duhat" tree. Others were busy preparing dinner and food for our socials. After a hefty dinner was the night’s socials that we very much enjoyed. While others tells stories, some very relaxingly lay flat on the picnic ground. We finally called it a day ten minutes before 12:00 midnight.

The dawn

At exactly 5:00 am I got up and out of my tent to do my morning rituals. Immediately after, I proceeded at the view deck to eagerly wait for the sunrise. Others followed-on afterwards and all enjoyed the breathtaking view once more. We broke camp by 9:30 am and made a quick descent towards the river by Mt. Manalmon’s foot. At once, we undressed and took a dip at the calm clear water. After swimming was a huge meal that we enjoyed up to the last grain of our steamed rice. By 11:00 we again packed our bags and started our trek back to Sitio Madlum. Upon touching down we just remembered crossing the river by a two-piece cable bridge. And so after unloading our backpacks we immediately run towards the cable bridge, crossed it and dive at the river. We again very enjoyably swim and had fun. After a while we have decided to wash-up and finally head home. We left Kamias, San Miguel Bulacan by 3:10 pm. A great weekend and a "walk in the park" indeed!