Mt. Sembrano Tanay Rizal.My start-up climb for 2014

Mt Sembrano is located in Pililla Tanay Rizal and  the major jump-off is at Barangay Malaya Pililla. 

To start my 2014. I thought of different mountains to climb. January was a tough month for me because of work schedules and other commitments that I had a hard time dealing with . I thought of a mountain that is near the Manila area which the travel is not a problem. Mt. Sembrano is located just  in Tanay Rizal and its just a two-ride away from Shaw Boulevard (Pasig) jeep to Tanay(Bayan) and a jeep from there will take you to the jump-off at Barangay Malaya Pililla.

View from Mt. Sembrano Peak 1

TEAM SEMBRANO "ESKAPO MOUNTAINEERS"

Dayhike Trippers Jackie, Philip, Ayang,Bel and Bhebz

Our meeting place was at Chowking Star Mall Shaw Boulevard. From crossing we took a jeep going to Tanay Rizal (Bayan). When you visit different places in Tanay Rizal from Bayan you will not have a problem about transporation because jeepney drivers there will ask you where is your destination and they will direct you to the right terminal and fare will be at regular cost. 

We arrived at Barangay Malaya Jump off around 11am, its a less than 2 hours travel. We drop by at Barangay Hall to register and to change clothes. We paid 20php per head.

Barangay Hall

AYANG ANG ESKAPO

After we registered at Barangay Hall we headed to the nearest carinderia to take lunch before we start our trek. We were targeting to summit the Mt. Sembrano for two hours and descend for 3 hours including swimming in "Manggahan Falls" just enough to get to to the jump off before dark. Its gonna be a fat-pace climb.

Lets go! "ESKAPO SIGN"

We commenced from a concrete road going to the foot of Mt. Sembrano. Barangay Malaya is an established Barangay in Tanay and there are so many residents along the way until to the trail entering the forest of Mt. Sembrano.  This mountain said to be a haven of NPA before. 

That afternoon the sun was very high and clear which made us felt drained because it was so hot. Most of the trail of Sembrano are in open area. If you will do a day trip here make sure to bring enough water because no kidding it's really hot in Mt. Sembrano, I have been to different mountains and the heat from here is one of a kind LOL. Kaka Heat-Stroke!^_^ 

Entering the Forest of Mt. Sembrano. There are so many Mango Trees along the trail. That's why the falls here has been called the "Manggahan Falls".

After the last kubo from the rocky trail you should take the right way. The trail is kinda confusing because there's no trail marks here but when you cross this river you will never be out of way because from here the trail is visible and wide. Just a tip, going to campsite is always to the right side.

Another open trail " Manggahan"

After 50 minutes we reached the Manggahan Campsite.  There was a group of mountaineers settled for overnight in the campsite. We get to know them as we rested there to take our trail food before the assault to the summit.

MANGGAHAN CAMPSITE

A classic cooking set. I was impressed by this because the owner said this was bought sometime in 80's. And no doubt if you will check it in market you wont this type of cooking set any longer.

And we resumed the trek after th water break, merienda and kuwentuhan with other group. 

The trail was very steep. I did not expect that the trail would be tough. On different blogs many says that the trail is easy but i wont suggest this to all beginners. Its a short trail but a steep one. Kayang Kaya pa rin!!!

Assault Assault Assault!

Steep and Rocky.

A beautiful view of "Laguna de Bay"

Arrived at Grassland of Mt. Sembrano.

Grassland of Mt. Sembrano. This tree is one the four famous trees in the Philippine Mountains. Documented by Sir Gideon of Pinoymountaineer UPM. Trees; Tarak Ridge, Mt. Batulao, Mt. Pulag and Mt.Sembrano

A big portion of the grassland got burned because of natural fire two days before we climb Mt. Sembrano. The trail was full ashes and dried grasses.

North Peak of Mt. Sembrano

Laguna De Bay

TEAM SEMBRANO ESKAPO MOUNTAINEEERS

Descending from Grassland. We had to go back right away because we wanted to take a bath in "Manggahan Falls" and be reach the jump-off before dark.

The trail of Manggahan Falls is from Manggahan Campsite a downward trail on the right of the campsite.There is a river crossing and at the end of the river you will see the falls and small grotto of Mama Mary. 

This is the reward after all the pain, sunburn and all....

The water is very cold. Beside the falls is a small grotto of Mama Mary. I find this place so peaceful and I even felt something different but I did not disclose it to my members. This falls is beautiful and i know this is just the first falls because if you go on top of this falls there are bigger falls. And since we were running out of time we just spent most of our time here.

Happy Happy Happy

After the visit to Manggahan Falls we headed back to the campsite because we left our things there beside the group of mountaineers tent. When we got there they requested us to stay for overnight but we declined because everyone has work the next day. But their leader asked us to just stay there for dinner since they were almost done preparing their food. Even my target was to get to the jump-off before dark it got changed for the sake of "pakikisama". Anyway we enjoyed their ginataang langka and mainit na kanin for dinner at konting tagay. So we had no choice but to do a night trek. The problem was we dont have flashlight because it was unplanned good thing our cellphone has flashlights and the batteries were still up. I led the trekking good thing when I climb I always study the trail for strategical reason. Through God's grace we reached the kubo and exit the forest safe.