Mt. Espadang Bato DIY Hike with Payaran Falls Side Trip

Mt. Espadang Bato DIY Hike With Sample Itinerary

Mt. Espadang Bato Details

Location: Rodriguez, Rizal
Trailhead: Mascap, Rodriguez, Rizal
LLA: 455 MASL
Specs: Minor climb, Difficulty 3/9, Trail class 1-2
Features: Scenic views of the Sierra Madre, Limestones
Source: PinoyMountaineer

Introduction

First off, I want to greet you a Happy New Year! I hope you had a great 2019. So without further ado, here’s my 19th mountain, Mt. Espadang Bato 🙂 So I organised the event and asked my friends from church to join this year-end climb.

Mt. Espadang Bato is one of the mountains that in Brgy. Mascap and part of Sierra Madre mountain ranges. The mountain is called Espadang Bato because of the rock formation that looks like a sword. (Espadang Bato means Stone Sword in English).

So after registering and securing our guides, we started the trek to the mountain. The trail is quite easy with limestones that you need to consider. You may want to wear gloves to protect your hands from the limestones.

There are parts that are full of bamboo and banana trees. Additionally, there are also “7/11” stores as they guides call it, along the trail, where you can buy trail foods and other refreshments. Unfortunately, since we climbed on a Friday, the stores were not open. After the bamboo and banana trees, a steep and rocky trail welcomed us before reaching the summit.

When we reached the summit, we saw the rock formation that looks like a sword. Barangay Mascap built a ladder for easy access for hikers. But still, you have to take extra care. If you have a fear of height, we don’t advise that you take pictures at the top of this rock formation.

Payaran Falls Side Trip

Initially, we had planned to do a twin hike with Mt. Sipit Ulang. However, due to exhaustion, we decided to just head straight to Payaran Falls and will climb Mt. Sipit Ulang next time. So we informed our guides that we would not proceed to Sipit Ulang. After reaching the jump-off point, we took rest and had our lunch before we went to Payaran Falls.

We rode a habal-habal and the travel time was 20 minutes. Be prepared for a bumpy ride. After reaching a river (I forgot to ask the driver of its name), we also began to trek for another 20 minutes to reach the falls. So in total, it took around 40 minutes to reach Payaran Falls. Then, we jumped right into the water and started swimming and enjoying the cascading waterfall.

All of us were very excited to plunge ourselves after a tiring yet fun climb. We stayed for 30 minutes and then we went back to the jump-off point and returned home.

How to get there?

From EDSA Cubao northbound, take a van (UV Express) going to Eastwood, Rodriguez. The cost is around P50 or more. Get off at the Total Gas station in Eastwood. From there, cross the street and turn left to get to the Mascap Tricycle Terminal, you can take a tricycle ride to Brgy. Mascap. Tricycle fare is P35. The estimated travel time is 30-45 minutes.

DIY Itinerary

04:00 AM – Meetup at Cubao
04:30 AM – Van ride to Montalban
05:30 AM – ETA Total Gas Montalban
05:40 AM – ETA Mascap Terminal; Ride tricycle
06:20 AM – ETA Barangay Hall (jump-off) / Registration / Guide assignment
06:30 AM – Start trekking
08:30 AM – Summit
09:00 AM – Start trekking back to jump-off
10:30 AM – ETA jump-off
11:00 AM – Eat lunch
12:00 PM – ETD Payaran Falls
12:30 PM – ETA Payaran Falls
12:40 PM – Swimming time
02:00 PM – ETD Cubao
03:00 PM – ETA Cubao

Estimated Expenses

Php 50 – Cubao to Total Gas Montalban
Php 35/pax – Tricycle to Mascap
Php 50/pax – Environmental fee
Php 500 – Guide fee for 5 persons
Php 200 – Payaran Falls Side Trip
Php 20/pax – Habal-Habal to Payaran Falls

Important Reminders

Things to bring:
✔ Flashlight or Headlamp (required, night trekking involved)
✔ 2 – 3 Liter water (required)
✔ Trail food (jelly ace, chocolates, etc.)
✔ Packed lunch
✔ Rain poncho (disposable)
✔ Change of clothes and flipflops
✔ Sun protection (hat, arm sleeves, umbrella)
✔ Personal medications

That’s it! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to drop your message in the comments box 🙂
P.S. If you have time please follow and like my FB page at www.facebook.com/lakwatsanisay.