Mt. Ugo | 2-Day Kayapa-Itogon Traverse

It was cloudy and gloomy as I gazed out of our jeepney. I was hugging myself to douse off the shiver induced by cold winds sifting into our vehicle. Silhouettes of undulating mountain peaks and sea of clouds formation dominated the view. “Definitely Cordilleras”, I said to myself followed by a soft and subtle smile.

I checked the time; it was 07:00 AM in the morning. After more than 7 hours of travelling, we finally started our trek up. From the cemented path lined by houses on both sides, our feet gradually trod on raw soils: after 30 minutes, I was reacquainted with the mountains I was longing for.

The first part of the trail was a steady ascent atop the ridges. It was a bit steep at some parts but scrambling up was not needed. It could be compared to the first part of an Akiki climb, nevertheless no matter how boring the trail could get, the view awarded to us was one of a kind.

I looked everywhere as I walked along the well established path. Soon after, we were gifted with a garden-like place. As our group halted for a rest, I stopped and mused. It was so magical that I sat speechless in one corner.

Gazing on the pine forest down the ridgeline, I was in total awe. I prayed and thanked God for the perfect weather that he gave us. The wind gently caressed my head as the chirping birds serenaded our breathing place. “Definitely Cordilleras”, I said to myself followed by a soft and subtle smile.

We continued with the trek taking short breaks from time to time. The mountain definitely had a certain aura that made the climb easy. Although every ounce of strength and attention should be devoted to the hike, our eyes couldn’t help but stare at the beauty that undeniably was so astounding.

2 and half hours into the climb, we were pleasingly welcomed by the blooming flowers and warm grass at the mountain village of Indupit. “Later we will see Mt. Pulag”, Kuya Bernard uttered as I gazed upon the peaks. I stood at the edge of the ridge savoring the cool breeze that was gently touching my face. At last, I was again one with the mountains.

After resting for 30 minutes, we continued with the hike. Crossing the flat ridge known as Mt. Samiento, we took our time taking photos of the picturesque pine forest down below. The sceneries reminded me of the views at the Akiki trail but the path we took here was as easy as that of Ambangeg. Mt. Ugo finally bragged of its beauty.

With every step I took, I imbibed the elegant display of nature unfolding down below. Rolling slopes and heaving pines were all I could see. The clouds ran past us as the sun began to rise. “Definitely Cordilleras”, I said to myself followed by a soft and subtle smile.

After another 2 hours of hiking, we reached the waiting shed near Dumolpos. The summit of Mt. Ugo was now within eye’s reach. We decided to partake our lunch with the sight of the monstrous peak looking down on us. “Hello Mt. Ugo”, I said to myself “Finally, we meet”.

With stomachs full and bodies recharged, we started the assault to the summit after the 1 hour breather. Kuya Bernard allotted a time of 2 hours and a half to reach the highest peak. I braced myself for a hot and steamy trek.

The trail from Dumolpos started with a gradual descent through the village. Kuya Bernard ultimately decided to skip the school to save another 30 minutes of hiking. We continued downwards until we reached the last water source. It was the start of a steep 1 hour hike to the top.

Inch by inch, the summit of Mt. Ugo began to come near. My skin was burning as the heat of the sun started to engulf the place. With every breath I took, I mustered all my strength just to get close to our goal. It may be the only challenge a climber would face here but the sceneries would always take your mind off the exhaustion.

After almost 2 hours and 40 minutes, I reached the top. I patiently waited for the group to show up but I was struck by the sight of Mt. Pulag, Mt. Tabayoc and Mt. Timbak from afar. “Definitely Cordilleras”, I said to myself followed by a soft and subtle smile.

At the summit, we took things to a halt. Being there at an early time of 3:40 PM, time was definitely not a problem. We took photos of the surrounding mountains and posed for portraits that will someday serve as memorabilia of this very unforgettable climb. Ron, who was sick months ago, was finally healthy enough to witness his first sea of clouds formation.

At the sight of the sun almost setting at the other peaks, we pitched our tents and readied our dinner. “Sinigang na Baboy” was unanimously voted as most appropriate for the expected cold temperature. We ate, relaxed and at the sight of the stars, decided to close our flaps to end a very memorable climb to the top of Mt. Ugo not knowing that the mountain still had more in store for us.

At 9:00 AM the next morning, we started our traverse to Itogon. Unaware that the trail was this beautiful at sunrise, I was dumbfounded but pleasantly surprised.

Distant views of various mountains could be seen from the path: Mt. Pulag, Mt. Sto Tomas, Mt. Cabuyao, Mt. Kabunian and even the city of Baguio. We took our time going down the slopes as the backdrop was so alluring. We took photos of every conceivable angle we could find.

Mt. Pulag's brown grassland summit

Mt. Kibungan

Mt. Sto. Tomas and Mt. Cabuyao

Crowded peak of Baguio

Walking down the ridge trail to Lusod, I saw a revelation. It can be considered as one of the most beautiful places I’ve been to having the most dazzling view I’ve seen. I thought only one mountain range in the country could give me this splendid beauty. “Definitely Cordilleras”, I said to myself followed by a soft and subtle smile.

This trek down became one of the slowest I’ve done on a hike. Before this climb, we would consistently run on every downhill mountain path we took but now, having this gorgeous piece of land right in front of us, we could never help but stop and admire the place.

We walked on an incomparably much slower pace. Mt. Ugo definitely has something that would make a hiker stop and halt just to look around.

After the nature gazing, we finally reached the small village of Lusod. We prepared our lunch, ate the sumptuous meal and took a well-deserved rest.

After 1 hour, we continued with the trek. Kuya Bernard asked if we could run down to Kawayan Village so we could be at Itogon at a much earlier time. Without any hesitations, we agreed and ran down as fast as we could.

We tried really hard to follow his pace but to no avail. Although our's was fast, we could never equal his trail running skills. After 1 hour and a half from Lusod, we reached Kawayan Village.

The temperature became very high as our altitude suddenly dropped to a low 500 MASL causing our group to gulp a combined 4.5 liters of Coke, Sprite and Royal in just a matter of minutes.

The 10-minute walk to reach the hanging bridge and additional 5-minute hike to reach the bang house ended a very memorable and fun 2-day traverse of one of the most beautiful mountains I’ve climbed. As I tramped the last steps of this adventure, I looked back and saw the amazing peaks we've just passed. In a very bitter-sweet moment, I waved goodbye to one of the best places I've hiked.

I sat at the back of the van gazing at Mt. Ugo with a smirk on my face. We finished this traverse bringing with us much fun and unforgettable memories of the mountain etched in our hearts. On our way back to Baguio, I asked myself what I consider the most beautiful place I’ve been to. “Definitely Cordilleras”, I said to myself followed by a soft and subtle smile.

*Additional photos of Mt. Ugo. So many beautiful photos of the place couldn't fit in one article. We'll be posting the whole album on our FB page

Waiting for the group

Rice terraces

Acrophobic shot

Sea of Clouds

Pine forest

Photo Opportunities

Follow Kuya Bernard

Ivan's first Benguet climb

*Mayor's request prayer to mountaineers

Group Itinerary

day 0

10:00 - meet up at Sampaloc Victory Liner
10:30 - departure to Aritao Nueva Vizcaya

day 1

05:00 - arrival at CCQ stop-over Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya, board rented jeepney
05:30 - departure to Kayapa
06:45 - arrival at Kayapa, register at PNP
07:00 - start trek
07:45 - start of pine forest
09:30 - arrival at Indupit Village, rest/breakfast
10:00 - continue trek to Dumolpos
11:00 - arrival at Mt. Samiento
12:00 - arrival at Waiting shed near Dumolpos Lunch
13:00 - continue trek to summit
14:00 - arrival at last water source
15:40 - arrival at summit, rest, relax
17:00 - prepare dinner
18:30 - dinner socials
22:00 - lights out

day 2

06:00 - wake up, sunrise viewing
07:00 - prepare breakfast
08:00 - breakfast/breakcamp
09:00 - start trek to Lusod
12:00 - arrival at Lusod, lunch
13:00 - Continue trek to Kawayan
14:30 - arrival at Kawayan Village, rest
15:00 - arrival at Foot Bridge
15:10 - arrival at Bang house,
15:20 - arrival at Brgy hall of Tinongdan, logout tidy up
16:30 - departure to Baguio
17:00 - arrival at Baguio, dinner
21:20 - departure from Baguio to Manila

*will arrive at Manila 03:00 AM the next morning

How to get to Mt. Ugo

If planning a traverse to Kayapa. Board a Victory Liner bus bound for Tuguegarrao and alight at the stop-over at Aritao. From Aritao, board rented jeep that will take you straight to the jump-off. You can contact Kuya Edwin at 09204697713 for jeepney arrangements.

Visit bus schedule here: http://www.victoryliner.com/

From Tinongdan at the other side, you can arrange a jeep back to Baguio from Kuya Bernard or passenger vans that travel from Solano to Baguio.

You can contact 09292335956 for van rentals from Itogon to Baguio. You can also contact Ma'am Jerda at 09184876097 for jeepney rentals.

For guides, you can contact Kuya Alex at 09219840254 and he will gladly arrange guides and porters for your climb.

Additional contact: You can contact Ma'am Liza from Itogon City Hall for other inquiries at 09105482678 .

*We would like to thank Ivan Cultura, blogger of Batang Lakwatsero, for joining us in our climb. Congrats to climbing your first Benguet mountain


*Credits to Bryan and Ron for accompanying us during this Traverse. Sa wakas naka kita na ng sea of clouds si Ron!!!