Mt. Maculot
Brgy 7, Cuenca, Batangas (Rockies Trail) & Brgy 5, Cuenca, Batangas (Grotto Trail).
930 MASL
Difficulty: Minor 3/9(Rockies) & 4/9 (Grotto)
Trail Class: 1-3
Trekking Time: 1-2 hours (Rockies) & 2-3 hours (Grotto)
Mt. Maculot is one of the most popular hiking destination not just because it is accessible to Manila, moderate difficulty, and a rewarding astonishing view of Taal volcano crater & it's lake, Mt. Makiling, Mt. Maculot's own mountain range, and even Mt. Halcon from it's Rockies.
Mt. Maculot has two known trails, the Rockies which more popular, and it's Grotto trail which is ideal for traverse. As said before, majority of Mt. Maculot visitors opted to take the Rockies due to the reasons stated above. Many of inexperience climbers choose to take Mt. Maculot as their first mountain, not just because of the suggestions of their experienced friends, but also because of rumors made of it's popularity. Although, Rockies trail could be quite a challenge for beginners as the trail could be continuous ascend, for the experienced climbers, the trail is one of the easiest trek they could have as it is well established and just like of a stair case made from natural rocks.
Taking Mt. Maculot's Rockies trail, the visitors should start with the Mountaineer's Store at Brgy. 7,then a little of rolling trek, then the natural stairs. Since this trail is more popular, there are some stands that locals have established, buko juice, halo-halo and alikes.Arriving at the campsite, the popular "7-11" of the mountain will emerge in front of you. Due to it's popularity, camping at Mt. Maculot's campsite will not get you away from the noise, as the large campsite that can accommodate 20-30 tents might be filled up with campers. Also, the sad part is, Mt. Maculot's popularity itself gives the mountain too much harm and slowly diminish it's beauty.
The Grotto trail as the less popular destination, is denser but more challenging. However, despite of being less known, Mt. Maculot's Grotto trail still suffer the irresponsible mountaineering effects, as I remember my first visit here, the one that serves as our trail signs are the litters of the past climbers. Comparing with the Rockies trail, the Grotto trail has suffered more or maybe because that Rockies trail has more fame, the clean up climb didn't reached this other side. The trails here are quite steep, to the point that there are rope segments. Due to this, others recommend this as the descending part of the traverse one has desire.
Despite of the popularity pollution it has, the Mt. Maculot still boast beauty that is worth visiting for (that's why its popular ;-p).
Also, there are lots of store where you can buy the Batangas' famous Lomi. A thick creamy noodle soup that your truly suggest you shouldn't miss.
TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS
You may take buses bound to Lemery at either LRT-Buendia (If I remember it right, DLTB bus, JAM & JAC offers this route) or Cubao. Ask them to drop you at Cuenca where you can take a tric that will bring you at either of the jump-offs.
SUGGESTED ITINERARY
Day 1
11:30 Assembly time
12:00 ETD to Cuenca
15:00 ETA Cuenca, take tricycle to Rockies
15:15 ETA Mountaineer's store
15:30 Start Trek
16:30 ETA Campsite, set camp, head to Rockies for pictures
17:30 Back at campsite, prepare dinner
19:00 Dinner, socials
Day 2
06:00 Wake up call, prepare breakfast
07:00 Breakfast
08:00 Breakcamp
08:30 Start trek to Summit
09:30 ETA Summit
09:40 Resume trek
10:40 ETA Grotto
12:00 ETA Jumpoff
