Quezon - Mt. Cristobal

Mt. Cristobal
Sitio Sta. Lucia, Brgy. Kinabuhayan, Dolores, Quezon
1,470 MASL
Diffiuclty: Minor 4/9
Trail Class: 3
Trekking Time: 4-5 hours

One of the most mysterious mountain in the Philippines is the so called Mt. Cristobal or Mt. San Cristobal. Lying next to Mt. Banahaw, Mt. Cristobal together with its neighbor mountain, stands a prominent figure at local folklore, as this two mountain represents both positive and negative energy that cancel out in the end. Mt. Banahaw called the "Holy mountain", remits positive energy and attracts devotees while it's neighbor mountain, Mt. Cristobal, is called "Devils' mountain" and remits negative energy.

Mt. Cristobal is a star not just in folklore but also in legends and ghost stories, but yours truly believe its better this way as it creates fear and aloofness to those undisciplined people that recklessly climb and litters in the mountain, thus preserving Mt. Cristobal's pristine beauty.

Fear not if you are well disciplined and respects nature, as the Mt. Cristobal's forest offers a unique scenery as species of animals and plants that are rarely seen could be seen here. And, not to mention that it's dense forest is covered with lots of mosses as moist almost never leave the place since it is a rainforest, thus making Mt. Cristobal worthy to visit even-though there no much view decks in the mountain.

Trekking Mt. Cristobal could be quite challenging as the trail here are classified as class 3 as mentioned above, meaning that it needs a little experience and ofcourse much preparation before one should attempt to conquer the challenges this mountain offers. Back then, Mt. Cristobal is classified as a major climb, but with the new system of rating the mountains, it has been downgraded to minor climb.

The common entry point used by the mountaineers is the Brgy. Kinabuhayan at Dolores, Quezon. From there, visitors may secure guide if they haven't get any yet, then start trekking. Trekkers may take 30-40 minutes on-off road. This road looks flat but steps here are quite heavy, seems like an optical illusion. Then, the house of a psychic named Montelibano, the last water source. From there, trekkers will have to face continuous ascending trails until they reached the cogon line at 1,130 MASL. Then, soon will be campsite.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

From Buendia or Cubao, you may take buses bound to Lucena and ask them to drop you off San Pablo City, where there is a terminal of jeeps bound to Dolores. You may ask the driver if you can just add some amount to bring you to Brgy. Kinabuhayan or you may rent a jeep all the way to Brgy. Kinabuhayan.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day 1

07:30 Assembly
08:00 ETD to San Pablo
10:00 ETA San Pablo, take jeep to Kinabuhayan
12:00 ETA Kinabuhayan, take Lunch
13:00 Start Trek
14:00 ETA Montelibano's house
17:00 ETA Campsite, set camp, explore the crater
17:30 head back to camp, cook dinner
18:30 Dinner, Socials

Day 2

05:00 Wake up call
06:00 Breakfast
07:00 Breakcamp
07:30 Start Descend
10:30 ETA Kinabuhayan, river swimming, Lunch
14:00 Head Home