Quezon & Laguna - Mt. Cristobal (Tala Traverse)

Mt. Cristobal (Cristrav)
Entry: Sitio Sta. Lucia, Brgy. Kinabuhayan, Dolores, Quezon
Exit: Brgy. Tala, Rizal, Laguna
1,470 MASL
Difficulty: Major 6/9
Trail Class: 3-4
Trekking Time: 4-5.5 hours

Mt. Cristobal aka Devils' mountain is one of the three major destinations in the Banahaw trilogy (Mt. Banahaw, Mt, Banahaw de Lucban, and Mt. Cristobal) aimed to be conquered by Filipino mountaineers. Also, the Devils' mountain is one of the hardest minor climb, wherein a traverse elevates the level of difficulty to a Major like the majestic Mt. Makiling of Los Banos/Sto. Tomas. It is also the cleanest mountain that so far yours truly have climbed. It lies at the boundary of Laguna & Quezon, thus making many possible traverse options.

Mt. Cristobal offers many traverse options, and Tala, Rizal trail is one of trails that links to the other part. Wherein, from the highest accessible point, Jones' peak as referred by Pinoymountaineer, is not just the highest window view, but also the starting point of the mountain's challenges. It also serves as the junction for the three possible traverse to three places of Laguna (San Pablo, Nagcarlan & Rizal).

The Tala, Rizal trail is very steep and could be very slippery during rainy days, thus it is best to take it as a descending route whereas Sta.Lucia, Dolores serves as ascending route, rather than taking the vice-versa. The start of the trail could be a real steep having of approximately 70-80degrees inclined passing through a cogon line, which serves much helpful to secure your balance especially when the trail is slippery due to rain. Continuing, you'll have to surpass a trek of around 3.5-4.5 hours, where you have to pass by some roped segment and vine rapelling before you reach the Banana farm. This could be very dense, thus more caution and care in descending is required. Also, one has to be very careful in dealing/touching with the floras present in this trail as they are not just thorny but some are also noxious like the Lipa. The only good thing with this trail is well covered, giving away the worries of exhaustion due to sun exposure.

It will be just a short trek before you leave the Banana farm, wherein the sun can now greet you at a sunny day. This will be more of a cogon line, and views here are slowly emerging. Also, from here, one can view the vast of the Mt. Cristobal from the direction you came from. Approximately 30 minutes to one hour of trek will lead you to the Tayak hill. Then from Tayak hill, it will be just 5-10 minutes to reach a community where a public CR is available, but will have no water during summer.

TRANSPORTATION & LOGISTICS

There are no available public transportation from here, thus suggest you arrange a rented jeep to pick you up upon descend(pls take note that signals could be weak at this point, suggest you contact your driver at the trail near Tayak hill).





SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day 1

06:00 Take Lucena Bus at Cubao or Buendia
09:00 ETA San Pablo/Market some supplies
10:00 ETD for Jumpoff
11:00 ETA Sitio Langkaan,Sta. Lucia, Dolores/Register/Start Trek
12:00 Lunch at Montelibano
13:00 Resume trek
16:30 ETA Crater
17:00 Head to Saddle camp, pitch tent, head to Jones' Peak
17:30 ETA Jones' Peak, pictures
18:00 head back to camp
19:00 Dinner/Socials

Day 2

05:00 Wake up call
06:00 Breakfast
07:00 Breakcamp
07:30 head to Jones' Peak
08:00 ETA Jones' Peak, picture, continue descent
12:00 ETA Tayak hill, wash up, head to San Pablo
13:00 Late lunch at San Pablo
14:00 Head Home