Hiking Mount Jambo
Lately, hiking has been a popular outdoor activity for us Saint Louis University students because of our proximity to the various mountains here in and around Benguet. One of the easiest mountain to climb up to is Mount Yangbo, also known as Mount Yangbaw/ Mt. Jambo/Mt. Jumbo. It is called Mt. Jambo because Boys Scout of the Philippines used to hold their Jamborees in this mountain. Cool, right?
HOW TO GET THERE:
One of the most rewarding sight to behold at Mt. Yangbo is the sunrise, so I suggest one should wake up early to hike the mountain up. 5 am should be enough or just schedule your hike according to the time of the sunrise of the day you decide to check Mt. Yangbo off of your list.
There are two ways you could reach Mt. Yangbo:
1. You could ride the jeepney going to Tomay. The terminal for the jeepneys going to Tomay are usually located at the termnal located across Center Mall. The fare costs 17 pesos :). Just tell the driver to drop you off at the road going up to the trail to Mt. Yangbo. Yes, you still need to walk what felt like 1 km before reaching the trail. Of course, I'm just exaggerating but we felt lost because we couldn't find the damn trail. Walk straight up until you find this sign:
2. (I am not very familiar with this route because this is not what we took, but anyway, I'm still going to tell it to you, guys.) Ride a jeepney going to La Trinidad and tell the Driver to drop you off at KM 4. The fare costs 8 to 10 pesos. From KM4, ride a jeepney bound for Tawang. In order to reach the start of the trail, either you look for the signs above or again, tell the driver to drop you off at the start of the trail. The fare from La Trinidad to Tawang costs 10 pesos. I do not know the location of the terminal for jeepneys bound to Tawang.
HIKING
We were so frustrated because we felt like we were walking aimlessly, and we couldn't find anything that would lead us to the mountain. While walking, a local family riding in a taxi asked us where Mt. Jambo is but we were also clueless. Google Maps also didn't help very much. When the taxi went back with no people in it, the driver stopped where we were walking and he pointed where the signs are. We profusely thanked the Manong Driver for telling us where the trail starts. The initial trail is paved, and boy was it steep. I felt like I was defying gravity haha.
The hike up to the summit is very easy and it only takes 30 minutes to reach the top. Of course, don't forget to stop, breath, and enjoy the scenery laid in front of you. La Trinidad was laid in its finest before my eyes in that early morning, and it was literally breathtaking.
Also, don't forget to take lots of photos! M̶a̶k̶e̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶r̶ ̶f̶r̶i̶e̶n̶d̶s̶ ̶j̶e̶a̶l̶o̶u̶s̶ ̶b̶y̶ ̶m̶a̶k̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶m̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶n̶k̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶'̶r̶e̶ ̶a̶n̶ ̶o̶u̶t̶d̶o̶o̶r̶ ̶e̶n̶t̶h̶u̶s̶i̶a̶s̶t̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶l̶i̶v̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶a̶n̶ ̶e̶a̶s̶y̶ ̶l̶i̶f̶e̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶m̶a̶s̶k̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶r̶e̶a̶l̶i̶t̶y̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶ ̶s̶l̶e̶e̶p̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶3̶ ̶h̶o̶u̶r̶s̶ ̶e̶a̶c̶h̶ ̶n̶i̶g̶h̶t̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶r̶e̶v̶i̶e̶w̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶ ̶q̶u̶i̶z̶e̶s̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶4̶ ̶o̶f̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶r̶ ̶m̶a̶j̶o̶r̶ ̶s̶u̶b̶j̶e̶c̶t̶s̶.
Sunrise
The Summit
The summit is, what I prefer to call it, the eternal grassland. It's sooo grassssyyy.
It's also great for your instagram feed! Haha
Mount Jambo has an environmental fee, which is 30 pesos for a day hike and 100 pesos for camping.
Scouting for the best place to rest :)
Found it!!
Don't forget to have fun with your friends!
Don't forget to enjoy!
HOW TO GET BACK TO BAGUIO CITY:
Jeepneys occasionally pass by the posts leading to Mt. Jambo. Flag down a jeepney labeled Tawang-La Trinidad. The fare costs 10 pesos. They'd drop you off at KM 4 and from there, ride a jeepney going to Baguio City that has Center Mall signs in the windshield area.
