Mt. Pamitinan (426+) and Mt. Binacayan (424+) in Rodriguez, Rizal

MTS. PAMITINAN AND BINACAYAN
Rodriguez, Rizal
Major jumpoff: Brgy. Wawa, Rodriguez, Rizal
LLA (Pamitinan): 14°43′51.7′′N 121°11′29.2′′ E 426 MASL
LLA (Binacayan): 14°43′30.5′′N 121°11′26.1′′ E 424 MASL
Days required / Hours to summit: 1 day / 1.5-3 hours (P); 2-3 hours (B)
Specs: Minor, Difficulty 3/9 (P); 3/9 (B) / Trail class 1-4
Features: Limestone formations, scenic views of Sierra Madre and Rizal province
Article history: Created February 8, 2015, last updated June 12, 2015

BACKGROUND
Brgy. Wawa in Rodriguez (formerly Montalban), Rizal has long been known to outdoor enthusiasts for its beautiful Montalban Gorge and the various activities that can be done there: caving in Binacayan Cave and Bat Cave, mountain biking, swimming by the Wawa Dam,and  rock climbing in the limestone cliffs in Mt. Binacayan. In addition to this, it is now being recognised as a hiking spot, with at least two of its small, rocky mountains – Mt. Pamitinan and Mt. Binacayan – offering refreshingly new trails with close proximity to Metro Manila. Both mountains can be done as half-day hikes and can be combined as a nice day of adventure.

The two mountains play a role in both history and legend. The mythical folk hero Bernardo Carpio himself is said to have separated the two mountains by his brute force in an act of self-liberation, creating the gorge, the river, and the rock formations. Another version says he remains chained in the gorge, keeping the two mountains from colliding. Andres Bonifacio sought refuge in Pamitinan Cave in 1895, and it is where he proclaimed one of the first declarations of independence, and by some accounts his words are still inscribed in the cave: “Viva la Independencia Filipinas”

Mt. Pamitinan
Mt. Pamitinan has a more established trail that takes roughly 1.5-2.5 hours going up. The first part is forested, passing through some attractions such as an ancient balete, the rock climbing. The Hapunang Banoy Junction is a rest area prior to the second, rocky part the trail. This part will be enjoyable to those who are used to rock climbing or bouldering, and a bit of a challenge for beginners – for whom it will be manageable, but requiring of concentration and care. The rocks are surrounded with bamboo trunks, some of which have alternating sections of holdable green and thorny brown trunk segments. Wearing gloves is recommended to ensure a comfortable grip on the jagged edges of the rocks and keep your skin off thorns.

There are several viewpoints along the trail, culminating in the summit which has a 360-degree view. To the North, one can see Mt. Hapunang Banoy and a distant Mt. Arayat, and from northeast to south, a vast swath of Sierra Madre mountains, thankfully still green. To the west on the other hand are the rapidly-growing towns of Rizal, and the more immediate scenery of Wawa River and Mt. Binacayan.

Mt. Binacayan
Mt. Binacayan, which is shorter than Mt. Pamitinan by just a few meters, has two different approaches, both of which feature a profile similar to Mt. Pamitinan, though the latter is a bit more unexplored (as of Feb 2015). Instead of a forested ascent, however, Binacayan offers a more agricultural terrain, followed by the same rock and bamboo ascent. The final leg is through a ridgeline with thick foliage, requiring long steps and reaches from one limestone formation to another.

The summit offers similar scenery, with a more extensive view of the meanderings of Wawa River – and of course a profile picture of Mt. Pamitinan, which partially eclipses Mt. Hapunang Banoy. The entire hike takes 3-5 hours, depending on the guide’s choice of trail – though this should get easier as the trail gets more established.

ITINERARIES

MT. PAMITINAN + MT. BINACAYAN TWIN DAYHIKE

0400 Take van from Cubao to Eastwood, Rodriguez, Rizal
0530 ETA Rodriguez, Rizal; take trike or jeep to brgy. Wawa
0600 Arrival at Brgy. Wawa. Register at barangay hall / tourism office
0630 Start trek up Mt. Pamitinan
0730 Arrival at Hapunang Banoy junction
0900 ETA summit
0930 Start descent
1100 Back at Brgy. Wawa. Lunch.
1200 Start trek up Mt. Binacayan
1500 Arrival at summit.
1530 Start descent
1800 Back at Brgy. Wawa. Tidy up then take outbound trike
2030 Back in Manila.

MT. PAMITINAN DAYHIKE

0500 Take van from Cubao to Eastwood, Rodriguez, Rizal
0630 ETA Rodriguez, Rizal; take trike or jeep to brgy. Wawa
0730 Arrival at Brgy. Wawa. Register at barangay hall / tourism office
0800 Start trek up Mt. Pamitinan
0900 Arrival at Hapunang Banoy junction
1030 ETA summit / Lunch
1200 Start descent
1400 Back at Brgy. Wawa. Explore the area / Sidetrips
1700 Tidy up then take outbound trike
1930 Back in Manila.

MT. BINACAYAN DAYHIKE

0500 Take van from Cubao to Eastwood, Rodriguez, Rizal
0630 ETA Rodriguez, Rizal; take trike or jeep to brgy. Wawa
0730 Arrival at Brgy. Wawa. Register at barangay hall / tourism office
0800 Start trek up Mt. Pamitinan
1100 ETA summit / Lunch
1200 Start descent
1430 Back at Brgy. Wawa. Explore the area / Sidetrips
1700 Tidy up then take outbound trike
1930 Back in Manila.

PRACTICALITIES: MT. PAMITINAN AND BINACAYAN

Transportation	Public (1) Van, Cubao to Montalban (Eastwood) [P50; 1-1.5 hours] (2) Jeep or trike, Montalban (Eastwood) to Wawa [P7.50-P10; <30 mins]Alternatively, take any transport to Montalban (i.e. via Marikina) then take (2) Approximately 2-3 hours travel time because of various stops and delays.  Private. Head out to Rodriguez, Rizal via Marikina and San Mateo, then follow the road to Wawa Dam. There is an entrance of P50 for private vehicles. Parking slots are available in front of the tourism office Approximately 1.5-2.5 hours travel time.
Registration	In order: (1) Logbook at the DENR station in Wawa. (2) Logbook at the Tourism Office in Wawa. (3) Logbook at the barangay hall P2 registration per person and donation of any amount
Guides	Available; assigned at the tourism office/ barangay hall. No fixed rates but P400/day is suggested (add more if twin dayhikes)
Contact numbers	+639493956589 (Emman, guide) +639473868778 (Ogie, guide) +639983266559 (Richard Salina, guide) +639295497211 (Joni – barangay) Please share more contact numbers if you have them. Better to call the contacts rather than text as they may always have load.
Campsites and waypoints	Camping is possible in the Hapunang Banoy junction in Mt. Pamitinan and there are also small flat areas that can serve as campsites for small groups.In Mt. Binacayan it is possible to bivouac in under the rocks at the summit otherwise there are very limited opportunities for camping
Water sources	None in Mt. Pamitinan None in Mt. Binacayan past the community
Cellphone signal	Very strong in Mt. Pamitinan Sporadic in Mt. Binacayan
River crossings	None in the hikes themselves. Wawa River already has hanging bridges in place
Roped segments	None but there are parts where ropes might help beginners
Limatik	None
Lipa	Some
Rattan	None
Hiking notes	Wearing gloves recommended for the rocky trails in both mountains. Those not used to rocky trails need guidance and caution.
Sidetrips	Caves: Bat Cave and Binacayan Cave (P55 fee for the cave including headlamp rental) Rock climbing in Mt. Pamitinan Swimming by Wawa Dam
Alternate trails	Possible traverse from Pamitinan to Mt. Hapunang Banoy; also possible to two different trails in Mt. Binacayan
Dayhikable	Yes for both mountains; both can be combined as a ‘twin dayhike’
Facilities at jumpoff	(+) Sari-sari stores (+) Carinderias / paluto (+) Wash-up / shower places (+) Cottages by Wawa DamThere are gloves available at the DENR office for P50 pesos each.
Estimated budget	500-700 (dayhike) 800-1000 (overnight)

MT. PAMITINAN AND BINACAYAN PICTURES

The rock climbing area in Mt. Pamitinan is encountered along the trail

The second part of the trail features scrambling up limestone formations

At the summit of Mt. Pamitinan with Mt. Binacayan at the background

The eastern view from the summit of Mt. Pamitinan features the mountains of the Sierra Madre

At the summit of Mt. Binacayan with the Wawa River at the background

TRIVIA
Montalban Gorge or Wawa Gorge reaches heights of 360 meters which roughly correspond to the prominence of the Pamitinan and Binacayan with respect to the jumpoff. Wawa Dam itself was built in 1909, during the early American colonial period.

The blogger climbed Mt. Pamitinan and Mt. Binacayan as a ‘twin dayhike’ on February 7, 2015. An account of this hike will be narrated in Hiking matters #447.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Randolf Magada contributed to this itinerary by sending an account of their earlier hike up Mt. Binacayan.