Situated in the Sierra Madre mountain ranges which borders Tanay, Rizal and Gen. Nakar of Quezon province. Mt Irid stands as the highest peak in the province of Rizal and was opened to the hikers last 2013. It has an altitude of 4790 ft above sea level and has a total of 31 km. through the backtrail (15.5km to reach the summit), but local says its 38km backtrail, I'll just stick with my own data recording as I usually do.

The trail starts from Sta Ines Brgy. hall, where we met another group of hikers (Mam Rona Morales and MB Ram of Lenteng Gala) who went on an outreach program to Sitio Sadlac before they hike Mt Irid (I want to greet them as they just have celebrated their 1st anniversary as a group last October 2018. Happy Anniversary Lenteng Gala, looking forward to hike with you guys).

Mt Irid hike is one my personal favorite dayhikes for this is one of those rare moments where Team Una (Michael JC & I) hikes as a complete group organized by our friend Eric Copon which also includes Chris Donasco, Kulas and of course other new found friends we've met along the trail (Arvin, Michael A. and Chardz). It was a memorable hike because it gave me a hard time that forced my trekking shoes into retirement on the actual trail, I just tied the shoelace around it, so that I can continue with the ascent to the summit. And of course, this is one of those dayhikes where we had "socials" on one of the most enchanting waterfalls (Kinabuan Falls) and even an unexpected "engagement proposal" from Choco to Verna where we find it romantic and funny.

The start of the trail passes a established trail passing 11 river crossings and several nameless mountain base passes until reaching Sitio Kinabuan where the enchanting Kinabuan Falls is located. From there on, a further hike will lead to Sitio Sadlac where one has actually gradually ascended a total elevation of 1610ft. from the jump-off. This is usually where hikers who go on an overnight hike set up their camp where bunkhouses, campsites and even a store can be found characterized by open grassland surrounded by the neighboring Mt Tukduang Banoi and Mt. Parukpok.

The real challenge of the trek starts with Mt Irid's base where one enters a very forested trail which commences the pure ascend of 2005ft altitude gain to reach the summit for a total of 3615ft altitude from the jump off to the summit. The trail is characterized by limestone formations and roots which can be found along the trail that requires some technical climbing, rock scrambling and even body contortions, something that resembles Mt Makiling and Mt Daraitan combined, except that Mt Irid is longer and higher with the teepness of 60-70degrees on some part. Like most virgin forests several flora and fauna can be found like Rafflesia and of course Limatiks which abundantly abound in its trails making it my personal choice as the toughest mountain in the province of Rizal (as mentioned earlier it forced my trekking shoes into retirement on the actual hike).

The summit of Mt Irid is characterized by numerous limestone formation often referred to as it's own version of "Rockies". There is also an encryption written by the Dumagat Tribe which tells about their commitment to protect Mt. Irid. On a clear day, it offers a picturesque view of the southern ranges of Sierra Madre including Mt. Tukduan Banoi which is located adjacent to Irid, making the formidable Sta Ines Trilogy that also includes Mt Parukpok.