Mt. Ulap: Ampucao - Sta. Fe Ridge Traverse

         Mt. Ulap - the "mini Mt. Ugo", is one of the popular mountain situated in Itogon, Benguet. The trail opened to the public last October 2015, and has quickly gained numerous of hikers and trail runners.

Mt. Ulap Eco-Trail
Jump Off: Brgy. Ampucao, Itogon, Benguet
Exit Point: Brgy. Sta. Fe, Itogon, Benguet
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 2-4 hours
Specs: Difficulty 3/9, Trail Class: 1-3
Features: Grassland and pine ridges, scenic views of the Cordilleras, burial caves
Elevation: 3 Peaks: Ambanao Paoay 1788 MASL, Gungal 1814 MASL and Mt. Ulap 1846 MASL

Who's excited to bring their squad and brave that famous Mt. Ulap's Gungal Rock? Itinerary, budget breakdown and the things to expect before hiking the said mountain...

Ask the driver to drop you off at Ampucao's Elementary School / Barangay Hall where you will register, and secure guides. Please note that registration fee is Php 100.00 per head, and guide fee of Php 400.00 with 1:10 ratio - if you're really in a tight budget, form or join a group to complete 10 pax.

After registration and a brief orientation, check your personal belongings, food and drinks. Do not worry if you didn't bring anything, there's a bakery shop near the first leg.

After a couple of assaults, the official (?) starting line haha

In just a couple of trek, I have already appreciated Mt. Ulap's beauty. I love the smell of the pine trees! 

Meet Kuya Alex, he's not your ordinary guide. Why? Look at him! Ganyan siya, he ain't telling you where or how your photo should be taken, he's gonna show it and it's up to you whether you think it's cool. The next thing we're like, "Kuya Alex, ang ganda! Gusto ko din po jaan."

MY NEW DEFINITION OF "CHILL"

FIRST PEAK - AMBANAO PAOAY at 1788 MASL

 

SECOND PEAK - GUNGAL ROCK at 1814 MASL

Couple of steps before braving Gungal Rock, picture muna hihi The terrain is too beautiful for words!

LOOKING FOR KUYA ALEX haha Thank you so much for being the most patient guide slash awesome photographer, Kuya! Guys, kunin niyo na number niya! :D

Some choose the "balikan route", it has a length of 9 kilometers: Ampucao Barangay Hall to Ambanao Paoay and Gungal Rock, and back to Ampucao Barangay Hall. Hiking time is roughly around 4 to 5 hours.

And a total of 13 kilometers, if you're doing Traverse, or will continue to the highest peak, which is Mt. Ulap. Hiking time is around 6 to 8 hours - still depending on your pace.

Yet another picturesque en route to the highest peak

THIRD PEAK - MT. ULAP at 1846 MASL

(MORE PHOTOS TO BE ADDED)

Our actual budget breakdown and itinerary:

06:38 Arrival at Brgy. Ampucao registration area

07:30 Start trek

10:20 Gungal Rock

12:00 Mt. Ulap

14:20 Brgy. Sta. Fe, wait for jeepney, or you can hitchhike hehe Thank you, Kuya Alex and Kapitan for the lift.

15:20 Brgy. Ampucao, wait for jeepneys heading to Baguio City Proper

*I think we spend at least 2 hours of taking photograph and selfies haha I LOVE MT. ULAP!*

Taxi fixed rate (Baguio to Ampucao): Php 400.00 

Registration fee: Php 100.00 per head

Guide fee: Php 400.00 (1:10)

Jeepney (Ampucao to Baguio): Php 30.00 per head

         Total: Php 1,320.00 or Php 330.00 each

AYE! Almost 7 hours of trekking! Trust me, everything is picturesque, doon actually naubos oras namin kakapicture. Haha

If you're doing a DIY day hike:

Bus RT: Php 890.00 (Kung madami kayo, hire a van mas tipid)

Jeep Central Mall RT: Php 16.00

Jeep Ampucao RT: Php 60.00

Registration fee: Php 100.00 per head

         Total: Php 1,066 each

then divide Guide fee of Php 400.00 (1:10)

TIPS:

1. You or your squad should hire our guide / photographer, Kuya Alex. Hit me a comment to get his number! Haha

2. Visit Mt. Ulap on a weekday (Expect heavy crowd queuing at the Gungal Rock during weekends)

3. Sunscreen even the climate is below 18*! I wore a jacket to cover my arms, yet it didn't cover my hands and face, so ayun, sunog haha

4. If you're doing a weekday hike, bring enough water, expect that stores will be closed.

5. Garbage bag - I didn't see any litter, so that's a good sign that every hikers are practicing LNT Leave No Trace principle. 

6. Do not vandalize! Those sign boards were new, please respect and do not vandalize on anything.

Expect that Mt. Ulap - Sta. Fe Ridge Traverse is not a chill chill climb, the steep trail of descend to Sta. Fe truly challenged us, but it was fun! 

"Kill nothing but time.

Leave nothing but footprints.

Take nothing but pictures.

Keep nothing but memories."

All photos are mine unless stated otherwise. Feel free to use, but please give credit. Thank you.


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Mt. Ulap, Ampucao Itogon, Benguet

Traverse to Sta . Fe Ridge

November 17, 2016