The mountain is situated at SitioDampay, Brgy. Dampay-Salaza, Palauig, Zambales, and stand at 2, 037+ MASL.
Mt. Tapulao Trail
Contact Details
Kuya Edward (Guide) – 09073268196
Sample Itinerary
Dayhike
Day 0
0900pm Assembly area – Jollibee farmers, Cubao
1000pm ETD to Palauig, Zambales
Day 1
0400am ETA Dampay-Salaza, Palauig, Zambales. Arrange for tricycles to jump-off
0500am ETA Jump-off point; register; start hike
0700am ETA 1st water source (Station 6)
0900am ETA 2nd water source (Station 12)
1100am ETA Campsite
1130am ETA Summit; Lunch
0100pm Start Descent
0500pmETA Jump-off point
0600pm Dinner; Tidy up
0700pm Back to Manila
Overnight
Day 0
0900pm Assembly area – Jollibee farmers, Cubao
1000pm ETD to Palauig, Zambales
Day 1
0400am ETA Dampay-Salaza, Palauig, Zambales. Arrange for tricycles to jump-off.
0500am ETA jump-off point; register; start hike
0900am ETA 1st water source (Station 6)
1200nn ETA 2nd water source (Station 10)
0400pm ETA Camp 1 (Station 16)/ Set up camp
0600pm Dinner, socials
1000pm Lights out
Day 2
0500am Start trek to Summit
0600am ETA Summit
0630am Back to Campsite
0730am Breakfast; Break camp
0830am Start descent
1200nn ETA second water source, lunch
0200pm ETA first water source
0500pmBack at jump-off point; take tricycle back to highway
0600pm Back to Manila
Journey
Day 1
Upon looking for a good overnight camp for our group event, finally we were able to come up for Mt. Tapulao hike after a several failed attempt to organize the hike. We put all our attention for Mt. Tapulao hike despite the numbers of choices we had to scale for that weekend. Overwhelmed by interest by our friends to join, we were able to come up with 25 hikers including our group members.
Km 0.00
Our adventure started when our van was not able to proceed at the jump-off point due to several pointed rocks scattered along the road. The driver advised the group that the trip will halt at the middle of the road, and it was still dark at that time when we start to pack and push our hike to the said registration point. Needless to say, it was just a kilometer away when we reach the area and we were wondering if the van pushes a little more and we could have reached our Jump-off point in a short period of time.
Upon settling all the expenses, we say our prayer, and start hiking. The trails descriptions are only assumed by most of us since we’re all first timer to hike the mountain. We had no experienced personally of scaling the mountain, no one has every climb the mountain, in all honesty.
Trail of Mt. Tapulao when doing backtrail
At first it was just a glimpse of complain due to the hot temperature occurred at that day; almost everyone seems to distress out in just a matter of hour hiking the rocky trail. Those rocks vary from small to big scattered all along the road which is the result of irresponsible mining, leaving the land in destruction. The positive side is that it becomes a hiker and rider playground after the mining company was force to leave the area.
Story told that the trail was the opposite of what we hike nowadays, there were no rocks present at that time and no major erosion even transpired because the mountain was surrounded by trees.
Trailing back, everyone stop at station 6 where the first water source is located and some ate their not so early lunch due to defiance of the trail. The evidence is their face – reddish and don’t have the intention to smile. It’s hard to ignore those kind of situation, so we try to acknowledge them for them to cheer up (even though it’s quite hard for them lol).
First water source is at Km 6
Every step need careful caution on the course of our hike and every stations are counted until our stop at station 11 to have our lunch. This what happen when you hike in an open trail with the hot weather, it slow you down.
The sneaky 4x4
We took a nap for an hour without hesitation, and move on scaling the rocky trail again. This time, the frustration turn to vindication which mend their state of mind especially when nearing the campsite – the weather at the top become mild and cold. There was a vivid reaction and unquestioning conformity when we reach station 13, the weather favored us by presenting a rainbow and all seems to be reluctant and their apprehension of happiness become clear as crystal.
At Km 12
It was all good and all well despite the animosity of the trail that was experienced when we reach the campsite around 6 pm in the evening. A bittersweet hike that was profound. We situated at camp 1 for the rest of the night and socialize with our fellow hikers.
Socials with friends
Day 2
Waking up early in a morning drastically in a cold weather is like having a hangover, you feel like fainting and rushing to your errands that was set by your itinerary. We skip breakfast, instead we push to the summit, and, decided to have our meal after the summit push which was eventually done.
Group Picture before heading to Summit
To my surprised, especially when scaling the uppermost part of pine forest – I was literally delighted after sighting the forest. I expected an open and rocky summit with no trees in it but I was wrong because it was the opposite, and the forest was full of moss.
Entering the mossy forest
Entering the forest is comparable when you scaled Mt. Mingan, it’s a haven. It was elegant and eloquent that we giggled in amazement, not to mention, the flowers were plenty and it blooms at that day of our venture.
Bloomed flower
Approaching the summit was an accomplishment of what we experienced. The very first thing we did is to take picture at the famous world tree. I dearly remind everyone, not to step or climb the tree, let’s give respect to it. Then, we roam around to have our own picture; we decided to go back afterwards when our hungers strike at that time.
At the summit
The summit was full of flora and the view is filled with awe especially when there’s a clearing – you can clearly see the forest, and a vas of ocean can be seen, which is best viewed at the apex of Tapulao.
View from the Summit
To a greater extent of documentation, we continue at the base of Mt. Tapulao nearing Camp 2. It was the favorable weather that convinces us to prolong.
We headed back at the campsite and took our breakfast; break camp afterwards, and started to descent, scaling back the rocky terrain and trail which is regarded as one of the most difficult particularly when rain occur during the course of the trek – which can be a dreadful experience like what transpired to us.
Group picture before our descent back to Jump-off point
The trail becomes the vessel of the water, slowing us down because of the slippery rocks become more and more vicious as the water continue to flow with a big amount of water. Some would enjoy the rainy weather like me, and some hate it for many reasons.
Every stop become the moment of inquiries to our mountain guide – “Kuya, malapit na ba”, “Ilang oras na lang kuya”. Driven by those agonies felt descending the hike, some fellow hikers burst out their frustration and agony. Thus, the competitiveness and their self-motivation help them triumph.
Eventually we were able to reach our jump-off point; approached and congratulated by our fellow hikers. We all applaud without hesitation despite the hardship we had encountered.
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Photo Credit: Maan Villamor and Jayson Ferrer
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