Laguna - Mt. Kalisungan

Mt. Kalisungan
Brgy. Lamot II, Calauan, Laguna
760 MASL
Difficulty: Minor, 3/9
Trail Class: 1-2
Trekking Time : 2-4 hours

Mt. Kalisungan is one of the most promising mountain that yours truly would recommend, not just because of yours truly's residences is just 45 mins away and it is his first mountain, but also because Mt. Kalisungan offers a rewarding summit! A 360-degrees-view-summit is waiting after a trek of around 2-4 hours. Back then, the trails used in climbing Mt. Kalisungan is like a continuous assault. Yes,you read it right! The Mt. Kalisungan might have just a trail class of 1-2 but the challenges of the Mt. Kalisungan is a continuous ascend, although not that very inclined, still the what we so called "bonus round" can barely hit you feet. This is a nice preparation climb for those who are planning to climb a harder mountain as Mt. Kalisungan perfectly warms up the muscles in your limbs. Also, Mt. Kalisungan is one of the mountains that have rare sun covers thus, gears for heat protection is needed. But lately, the trail used is much easier. Starting from the jumpoff at Brgy hall of Lamot II, then walking to the school (Field of Faith) where the muddy trail begins. Then finally, the muddy trail connects to the old trails' assault, the Talahiban.

Mt. Kalisungan is a popular pilgrim destination for locals nearby and even some of the next town as back then a white cross was erected at the summit. However, the popularity of Mt. Kalisungan to fellow hikers have declined because of previous security issue. But as per latest visit of the Author, the issue is now been closed as according to a local, the named thief that causes fears is now confirmed dead due to his personal conflict, thus, nothing to fear anymore.

Mt. Kalisungan is a perfect cone thus, fearing for lost track is quite minimal. One said that if your lost and you want to keep going to the summit, you just need to keep going north, which the Author have done at first climb. But to avoid such trail blazing which is so exhausting, one must determine a good jumpoff. Getting a wrong one may lead you to a dead end as you might entered the trail of the farmers. There are lots of established jumpoff here, and personally, the Author uses the closed store few minutes away from Erais farm as he and his friends have already established acquaintance to a local farmer residing there. Many are now using the jumpoff near the Brgy. Lamot hall and locals there said that is a better now but, yours truly haven't tried that on the first hand.

Also, before you reach the jumpoff, you have to drop at Masapang or the "Duck Junction" where many are selling a must try Kinulob na itik.

Trekking Mt. Kalisungan will lead you to a vast of Banana and Coconut plantation which local farmers maintain. Continuing, the last 1/3 of the trek will be a cogon grass which extends until the summit. Like what have been said earlier, the Mt. Kalisungan offers a 360 degrees view which shows the Mt. Banahaw, Mt. Cristobal, Mt. Tagapo, Talim Island, Jalajala peninsula and even the 7 lakes of San Pablo.

Mt. Kalisungan have many names and one might be confused if you are not familiar, one of the is the Mt. Lamot as named after the Barangay the encompasses the jumpoff.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

Take bus enroute to Sta. Cruz(there are terminals of Greenstar at Buendia/LRT-Gil Puyat and HM Liner at EDSA-Cubao or there lots passing by at Alabang) and tell the operator to drop you off the Masapang or the "Duck Junction" then take tricycle to Brgy. Lamot for registration.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day 1

12:00 Assembly at Bus stop
12:30 ETD to Masapang
14:30 ETA Masapang, take tricycle
15:00 ETA Jumpoff/Start trek
17:30 ETA Summit/
Cook/Dinner/Socials

Day2

06:00 Wake up call/Cook/Picture
07:00 Breakfast
08:00 Start Descent
10:00 ETA Jumpoff
>>>Optional sidetrip to Bunga Falls

*Note that the itinerary was intentionally made to evade the hottest time of the day as the exposure here may be really exhausting.