Mt. Timpoong: The Trail-less Traveled

Mt. Timpoong

Complementing Mt. Hibok-Hibok (see Day 1: Mt. Hibok-Hibok here) is the lesser known and less visited Mt. Timpoong, which I hiked during my second day at Camiguin. Its ecosystems share almost the same gradient as that of Mt. Hibok-Hibok (dipterocarp forest, followed by mossy forest) except that the hike to Mt. Timpoong starts in a grassland and that there is no crater lake to speak of.

If the fog made the forests of Mt. Hibok-Hibok eerily enchanting the previous day, the sunlight that streamed through the thick canopy of Mt. Timpoong seemed to make the forest sparkle with warmth. It felt like the forest is very happy and is welcoming my arrival.

Enchanting light display at the trail of Mt. Timpoong

Because of the lower number of hikers in the area, the trail is not as trodden as in Hibok-Hibok. It is visible at the earlier part but becomes more and more obscured in the mossy forest region. It reminded me of the hike to Mt. Dulang-Dulang where the trail became an obstacle course as I went through thick brambles of vegetation and negotiated passing up or under fallen trees.

90 - degree, "4x4" climb

Some may like trails which are established but for me, what I enjoy most is that "4x4" experience where you have to scramble your way up the mountain. I believe that it is how trails should be: less disturbed and still blends in with the surroundings. If that makes hiking harder and more physically demanding, well, we are the ones who should conform to the mountains, not the other way around.

Yep. That's the trail ;D Watch out for limatiks!

After a three-hour hike and some 4x4 expedition in a forest with soaring trees and every shade of green imaginable, the trail opens up to a small clearing with views of the sea. As the ocean and the sky meet at the horizon, one is confronted with the views of infinity and of interconnectedness: you, the mountains, the sea and the sky.

Everything is just so awesome at 1,525 meters above the sea- the highest point in the island born of fire.

Itinerary

0530H Start hike

0830H ETA: Summit

0900H Start descent

1130H ETA: jump-off

1200H Ride habal-habal going to Centro (P50)

You can ride the habal-habal going to the port but I think it will be more expensive, so I alighted at the town center, bought Pastel, then get on the van going to the port (P 30).

1430H Ferry departure from Benoni

1530H ETA Balingaoan

1830H ETA Cagayan de Oro (Non-aircon bus fare: P90)

2030H ETA Airport (Shuttle fare: 199)

Note: Guide fee is again, a whooping P1,200.

If you are going with this IT, make sure you get the latest flight back to Manila.

Guide: Kuya Jhoner Abian - 09772669714

Other pictures