The complete idiot guide for Mt Tabayoc with Mt timbak sidetrip 2013

  
Mt Tabayoc with Mt Timbak via Kabayan Barrio

MT. TABAYOC
Benguet and Ifugao
Major jump-off: Brgy. Ballay, Kabayan, Benguet
LLA: 16.7000° N; 120.88333° E; 2842 MASL (#5)
Days required / Hours to summit: 2-3 days /4-6 hours
Specs: Major climb, Difficulty 6/9, Trail class 2-4


MT. TIMBAK/ MT. SINGAKALSA (2,717+)
Atok, Benguet
Major jumpoff: KM. 55, Atok, Benguet
Elevation: 2717 MASL (#9)
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 1.5-2.5 hours
Specs (Backtrail): Minor climb, Difficulty 2/9, Trail class 2
Features: Village life, mummies, views of major Cordillera peaks

**From Pinoymountaineer.com

Its been a while since Im been in touched with Ranger Arlan of Mt Tabayoc. The original plan was  doing the Luzon 312-timbak,pulag to tabayoc. However, The budget have hinder our plan once again.So instead of giving up the plan just yet, and since I already set foot on top of Mt pulag twice, The logical choice was to set foot on the mountain I was not able to reached the top yet , and thats Mt Tabayoc.

Mt Tabayoc

Mt Tabayoc was the 2nd highest peak in Luzon, and the six highest peak in the entire Phillipines. If my Dec climb materialized, meaning I will be able to reached the 9 out of 10 highest peak in our country less Mt Ragang.

My hiking buddy and I met at victory liner cubao terminal only to find out that the next available bus to baguio was scheduled at 4am. The TNF trail run surely attracts a lot from runners to spectators. Of course we cannot wait until 4am, so we moved to Dagupan terminal.

We arrived at Baguio city at 7:30am,walked all the way to Good taste at Dangwa terminal. At 9am, we are already in Slaughter house terminal to catch the first trip to Ballay. At exactly 10 am the A-liner bus depart from the terminal to Ballay.

We arrived in Ballay at 15 mins past 3pm. It was raining! Our original plan was to camp in lake tabeo,however since its raining and it will be very cold soon- we just decided to spend the night in abandon lodge near the barangay.

An abandon house

We started our trek up to Mt tabayoc summit at 7:30am and at 9:40am we are on the view deck. We started our descend at 10:30am and reached lake tabeo at 12:00pm.

Lake Tabeo

The mossy forest of Mt Tabayoc

Mt Tabayoc Summit and View Deck

There was also a lot of exciting plan about Mt tabayoc and Mt al-al. First the possibility of opening a trail of traversing Mt Tabayoc to Jr pulag. The improvement and rehabilitation of the view deck at the summit of Mt tabayoc. The possibity of establishing a campsite at Peak 1. Moreover the thrill of connecting Mt al-al to Mt pulag. Imagined you can hit four peaks in one go. Mt tabayoc, Mt al-al , Mt panotoan and Mt pulag.

Mt Al-Al

Because of the rain, fog and cold , we gave up or plan to visit other lakes. We decide at least to set foot on the famous lake of the four. The lake Ambulalakao.

Lake Ambulalakao

Then we decides to traverse Mt Timbak from Kabayan Bario. The trail was continuous uphill on the long and sometimes rough road. It was very challenging and tiring as well. We did not look for any shortcut, we just want to feel the trail as it is and at the same time enjoy the view and the cold weather. We are having fun and at the same time getting tired for the long and continuous ascent.

Kabayan Barrio Jump off

Finally after 7 hours of hiking up, We reached Mongoto Elementary School at 3pm. Rested for a few minutes then walked all the way up to Mt timbak summit.

Sign to Tinongchol Cave

The scenic trail to Mt timbak via Kabayan Barrio

The crosses at the summit of Mt Timbak

The thrill, challenges and excitement about the mountains of Benguet is very promising and endless.

Soon there will be a trail connection Benguet to Ifugao to other mountains.. For now we should enjoy the trail that we already have.

The morning clouds and fogs at the summit of Mt Timbak

Here are the expenses

Manila to Baguio               : P445
Baguio to Ballay                : P155

Reg Fee                              : P200

Guide fee (Mt tabayoc)      : P1000
Guide fee (   4 lakes      )    : P500

Ballay to Kabayan Barrio  : P10
Km 55 to Baguio               : P120
Baguio to Manila               : P 445

Travel Time

Manila to Baguio : 5-6 hours with 2 stop over.
Baguio to Ballay  : 5-6 hours with 2 stop over. First stop over is at Bokod after an hour. Then another stop over  at bili bokod after 2 hours.

You can camp at Lake Tabeyoc or in Barangay Lodge or near the houses at Ballay extension

Buses to Ballay are located in slaughter house terminal
Going to Ballay : 
First trip is at 10am,
Second trip is at 12pm. (you still need to ride motorcycle for this trip as it never goes directly to bus stop in Ballay)

From Ballay to Baguio
First trip is at 7am
2nd and last trip is at 10am

If you miss the 2nd trip-  you can rent a motorcycle to kabayan central. And from kabayan central there are van terminal going to baguio until 5pm

If you decide to hike Mt Timbak- Get off at Kabayan bario- only 30 mins away from Ballay. Then just follow the long road. Walking time depends on your speed and frequency of rest.

From km 55 there are van and buses to Baguio fare is at P120 as of the time of this writing.



For other useful information and narration :
Please visit :
Pinoymountaineer.com and lagataw.com