Nature Photo Challenge: Mt. Ulap, Ampucao

Notice the fog in this photo. This was taken on our way back down Mt. Ulap Eco Trail located at Itogon, Benguet. The fog [ulap or ulep means fog in our local language] stayed there the whole time we were traversing this trail. It never crossed over even when we were past it.

!steemitworldmap 16.290210 lat 120.631009 long Mount Ulap d3scr

This is a rolling hills and mountains of grassland and pine trees that is common here in #Benguet. Sometimes the path lines just at the edge of the mountain that one slip will find you down at the foot of the mountain.

This was my first hike on this trail. Me, my brothers and cousins went to "conquer" this mountain back in 2015.

The trail starts with trees like pines clumped together which makes the trail cool and refreshing. It is a great way to start which invigorates and gives that motivation as you smell the sweet scent these trees give off.

The red ribbon on the picture on the left was left behind by the North Face event held earlier. Baguio and the surrounding mountains and trails of Benguet is a great setting for these challenges.

Kaingin [slash and burn] system or shifting cultivation is still a practice here in our mountains. It poses a threat to the forests and mountains but such is the way of life especially to the farmers as evidence in the photo above. These mountains are owned by farmers and cattle herders. Aside from gardens, there are cows grazing in search for those plentiful grasses that they can feast on.

Wooden gates have been placed to keep off cows entering certain areas. These gates and fences protects the gardens from cows. Even cows should be given limits.

It is advisable to hike earlier in the day so that by the time you get to the top, it will not be that hot. By the time we reached the parts where there are not enough trees and shade, it was already hot.

You will forget how hot it is when you are met with this exhilarating view. The mountains go miles and miles and the cloud display during that time cooperated as well. Giving the landscape a spectacle to behold.

Take time to relax and enjoy the vistas. It is a great day to be alive!

This is not for the vertiginous people. Gungal Rock is part of big rocks sticking out on a cliff of the mountain. This is where we ended our hike. The trail continues and exits to Sta. Fe but our time is limited. We hiked about 4 hours to reach this spot and it will take us another 4 hours or less to go back.

I was amazed at the tenaciousness of the kids that we brought along with us and how much they are enjoying the trail even running at some point that we have to restrain them else they might fall off or roll down the mountains.

I think this fog is what a lenticular cloud looks like up close. I took a photo as we passed by this wall of fog or cloud. There are dead trees along the way and some of them have evidence that they were struck by lightning.

Going to Ampucao, take a jeepney from Baguio City to Ampucao. It is about 40 minutes ride. You can also hire jeepney or taxi that can bring you to Ampucao and then fetch you.

There is a PHP50.00 fee per person registration fee at the barangay hall. They also require a guide now with a fee of course. During our hike, we didn't have to go to through all that. They no regulate how many people are allowed to hike and they are limiting it to 500 person per day. It is advisable to go there during the weekdays because more people hike there during the weekends.

Living on the edge! This is how thin the trail can get and it is just at the edge. When you go to this trail, walk with caution and don't look down. It is not for the faint of heart.

It was a tiring hike but fulfilling just the same. Given the chance, I will go back there again and maybe bring the family again. The more the merrier.