Mt. Maculot/Rockies (685+)

Mt. Maculot/Rockies (685+)

MT. MACULOT
Cuenca, Batangas
Jump-off point: Brgy. Poblaction, Cuenca Batanggas
LLA: 13°55'15"N; 121°2'30"E; 685 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: Half day / 1-2 hours
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 2/9, Trail class 1-3








BACKGROUND
Mt. Maculot is one of the most popular daytrip destinations. It is so popular that on weekends and summer months, there is a sari-sari store at the campsite. This mountain, at the heart of Batangas, is known as a landmark for locals and travellers alike; it is easily identifiable because of its abruptly terminating east side - forming a cliff that is challenging for rock climbers and breathtaking to everybody else. Others describe the shape of the mountain as 'igloo-like'.

At 830 MASL, the mountain has three destinations: the grotto, the peak and the rockies (685 MASL). These can all be covered by a traverse dayhike. Most climbers head to the Rockies. This rocky formation stands beside Taal Lake, creating a scenic view, encompassing the whole of Taal Lake including the world-famous Taal volcano; as well the plains of Batangas. From a distance looms, on opposite sides, Mt. Makiling and the Tagaytay Highlands. If you follow Batangas Bay to the South you can see Maricaban Island, and beyond that, Mindoro's Mt. Halcon. The climbing time is variable; experienced climbers can reach the Rockies in a matter of two hours. From the Rockies, one can continue to the peak (830 MASL) or the Grotto on the other side of the mountain. You can also do the traverse vice-versa, starting off at the Grotto and ending at the Rockies. The Grotto area is grassy, but it then the trail becomes forested until it reaches the summit - and down. Either way, the trails are steep but Maculot is one mountain where you can stay the visual rewards are really worth the effort.

ITINERARIES

TRAVERSE
0400 Board Lemery-bound bus from Buendia or Cubao (~P130)
0700 ETA Cuenca Municipal Hall. Either walk or take trike to jump-off
0800 ETA jump-off point, start traverse.
0915 ETA Grotto, take pictures
0930 set out for the peak via forested trail
1200 ETA summit. lunch.
1230 start descent to shoulder campsite and rockies
1430 ETA rockies; take pictures
1500 ETA start descent to mountaineer's store
1620 ETA mountaineer's store; tidy up then head back to the highway for Manila-bound bus

ROCKIES
0600 Board Lemery-bound bus from Buendia or Cubao (~P130)
0900 ETA Cuenca Muncipal Hall. Walk or take trike to jump-off. Pay P10 registration fee.
0930 start trek
1115 arrive at campsite, head to Rockies
1130 at Rockies; take pictures
1200 return to campsite for lunch
1230 start descent
1400 back at jump-off; tidy up then head back to the highway from Manila-bound bus.

SPECIAL CONCERNS
There are no permits required in Maculot and it is generally safe, even for beginners. During April weekends, however, there may be too many climbers. The Rockies is quite small and can only accommodate 30 is sufficient for hiking trips.

Although taking less than 10 minute, the trail from the campsite to the Rockies is very steep. Beginners must be assisted during this leg of the trip.

There are two registration sites: the "tindahan" and the brgy. outpost near the mountaineers' store. You only need to register in either one of them. At times, the registration process is not enforced.

TRIVIA
Batangas folk continue to tell their children that if they don't comb their hair before they sleep, "the kuto (head louse) will take them to Mt. Maculot!". Another variation of this anecdote claims that there's a giant louse that lives in Maculot. It is also said that curly-haired aborigines (Aetas) once lived in this mountain, hence it was named Maculot from "kulot", meaning curly.

There are only a few cases of hiking-related accidents in Mt. Maculot. One, involving a girl climber, was a case of falling from the Rockies followed by his boyfriend in the 1990s.