Batangas & Laguna - Mt. Makiling (Traverse)

Mt. Makiling (Maktrav)
Entry: Brgy. San Miguel, Sto. Tomas, Batangas
Exit: College of Forestry, UPLB, College, Los Banos, Laguna
1090 MASL
Difficulty: Major 6/9
Trail Class: 3 w/ ropped segment
Trekking Time: 7-8 hours

Mt. Makiling is one of the prominent mountain found in the Southern Tagalog region. It's ranges extends from Bay, Laguna to  UPLB, Laguna and even to Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

Visitors of Mt. Makiling via UPLB trail already enjoys the biodiversity of this very mountain, but the Sto. Tomas side can be considered as it's window and backyard garded as it offers more of a view that hardly seen at UPLB trail even at the summit or Peak 2, and more Floras and Faunas such as Pitcher Plant, Sampinit and even the Limatiks here are more abundant compared to the former. Although, this side offers more of a challenge, as it requires longer trekking time, more crawling and climbing, even rope climbing, and ofcourse more patience and determination. This is the main reason why more mountaineers want to climb Mt. Makiling via Sto Tomas, not to mention that this serves as training climbs for mountaineers planning a Major climb that requires much preparations. Tomas side which they often refer as Maktrav, a shortened term for Makiling Traverse.

There are two trails existing at Sto. Tomas side, the Sipit trail and Palanggana trail. However, during early 2012, there are news that Makiling Center for Mountains Ecosystem (serves as PASU for Mt. Makiling) has designated Sipit trail as main trail, thus reinforcing its establishment and training guides via this route.

Trekking via Sto. Tomas side starts with the Brgy. hall which also collects an amount as registration. From there, various forks will be present but a right trail will lead you to an abrupt ascending trail. Then a well guided trail(fenced both side). Then, the merging point of your trail and Palanggana trail, soon the grassland. Next will be Palanggan campsite, and soon it's peak, continuing you'll soon find the Baring bato, where on top is a nice view deck with lots of Pitcher plants. Continuing will be the Melkas ridge and soon Peak 3. From Peak 3 to Peak to will be a long trails with lots of crawling and climbing plants and trees along the trail, the so called Wild Boar trail. Then, finally it will be the Peak 2.   

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

From LRT-Buendia, take buses bound to Sto. Tomas where you can ask a tricycle to drop you off at what they call "Bundok".

                                                                                       SUGGESTED ITINERARY

04:30 Assembly, take bus to Sto. Tomas
06:00 ETA Sto. Tomas, take tricycle
06:30 ETA Jumpoff, Start trek
11:00 Melkas Ridge
12:00 ETA Peak 3, fast lunch
12:30 Resume Trek
14:30 ETA Peak 2, Rest and pictures
15:00 Start Descend via UPLB trail
18:00 ETA Ranger station/jumpoff
18:30 Dinner at Grove or Junction
19:30 Head Home