Hiking Adventures #27: Mt. Ulap Traverse Dayhike

Mt. Ulap

The last time I climbed Mt. Ulap was November of 2015. After 5 months, I went back to the mountain, but this time, for a traverse-dayhike.

I was with 2 ladies I met in Mt. Amuyao, Sheryl and MJ. We were supposed to climb Mt. Napulauan organized by Weekend Wanderlust but it was cancelled. Since we were already on a hype, we decided to push the climb in other mountain. We chose Mt.Ulap because they still want to climb in Cordilleras.

We left Manila for Baguio on a Friday night. Our plan is to have a Baguio trip on Saturday then the climb would be the next day. We stayed on a transient house 15-20 minutes away from the Town Proper of Baguio.

After our Baguio trip, we rest for tomorrow's hike. For us not to have a hassle trip going to Ampucao, I get the number of our taxi driver during our Baguio trip and asked him if he can pick us up in the transient house then bring us to Ampucao. He agreed and charged us P600. It's a great deal for a hassle free ride.

It took more or less 2 hours when we reached Mt. Ulap jump-off. When we got there, our guide whom I contacted before we left for Baguio was already waiting for us. I was still excited for this hike because I will finally do the traverse and reach the Mt. Ulap summit. Because the first time I went to Mt. Ulap, we only stayed in Gungal peak and descended on the same trail.

Pine tress along the trail

At the start of our trek, we can still feel the cool air while sweating. I really like that feeling, that's what I look for everytime I went in Cordillera for a climb. Along the trail, I saw Ryza Cenon once again. The first time I saw her was in Mt. Hapunang Banoi but not closer as this time, she even talked to me and greeted me. I wanted to take a photo with her, but I don't want to disturb her. Haha!

MJ and She with our guide.

Many hikers climbed Mt. Ulap that day and I was wondering how long the line would be to take a photo in Gungal rock. Luckily, our guide talked to his co-guide to let my 2 buddies joined the group who were already in the Gungal rock. I didn't join my friends since I already had a photo in Gungal rock before, so I was the one to take their photos.

Gungal Peak

After the photo ops, we resumed trekking and the next stop would be the summit. The view from summit is very nice although it has same views as in Gungal rock. However, the traverse going to Sta. Fe has more to offer.

Summit Photo

Going to Sta. Fe

Pine trees in Sta. Fe side

One of the hanging bridges in Sta. Fe exit point

When we arrived in Sta. Fe, it's time to tidy up. There are stores that offers showers for P20. From Sta. Fe, we rode on a jeep heading back to Baguio. I forgot about the fare, but it's less than P100. From Baguio City Town Proper, we rode bus in Genesis Bus Station as Victory Liner was jam-packed. The bus took a longer cut back to Manila, so it took 8 hours.


Mt. Ulap (Philex Ridge) 
April 23, 2015
Ampucao, Itogon, Benguet
Difficulty: 3/9

Contact Numbers
Susan's Transient House - 09278328082
Kuya Benjie (Guide) - 09462518589
Kuya Dani (Taxi Driver) - 09394646448