Ever since I started blogging, Bakun Trio particularly Mt Tenglawan has always been on my bucket lists because of it's iconic "Carrot Peak" and the awesome view that it offers. As a working and dedicated dad, I have a hard time finding a fitting hike schedule that my wife would approve. I was so thankful that Reigner Castro invited me to join their group which was organized by Emil Gannod of Laqbai, and since it was approved by my wife, to no avail, I immediately said yes.

I considered Mt Tenglawan among the top 5 favorite mountains that I've hiked, for the simple reason that the summit offers a 360degree and picturesque view and of course it is not crowded with Social Climbers, so that you can truly enjoy your hike.

Among the mountains of the Bakun Trio, Mt Tenglawan is considered as the toughest. It has the longest trail with a total distance of 24.5km through the backtrail from Bakun Poblacion all the way to the summit characterized by a steeply inclined peak often described as "Carrot Peak" because it resembles a Carrot from afar. It has a total elevation gain of 4500ft through the backtrail (pabalik ng poblacion you have to ascend 1000ft, pauwi n yun ha).

We hiked Mt Tenglawan on the second day of our Bakun Trio itinerary. The trail starts from Poblacion which descends a 1020ft until reaching a river gorge. Then upon further trekking one will reach the hanging bridge which commences the start of the ascent which has a total of 3500ft altitude gain to reach the summit. I am so glad that I have hiked with 2 of the most "harkor hikers" that I've met namely: Kiko San Luis and Ron Dubois - who is actually celebrating his birthday today (December 5), Happy Birthday Lodi. Of all the strong hikers I've hiked with on the lead group, they are at par with the strongest laging pang 3rd lng ako s sequence namin tatlo, anyway balik ulit s blog write-up ko hehehe.

The trail gradually ascends through an open trail with some pine trees along the way even passing a giant cable lift used for transporting vegetable goods across the two mountains. After haft, an hour of trekking one will reach a community where one can refill water. From the community, the trail is characterized by a rolling terrain until reaching a mossy forest infested by limatiks some of which are airborne (bgla nlang bumabagsak s ulo galing puno and one limatik fell directly at Kiko's head), from the hanging bridge until the mossy forest there is an equivalent ascent to 1600ft. From there on the trail passes rocky portions until reaching a very steep uphill assault which resembles the steepness of Mt Pulag's Akiki trail for a total of 2000ft elevation gain going to the summit. The summit is characterized by an open plateau which can accommodate at least 4-6 tents surrounded by ravines on all sides, but I am not sure if pitching tent is allowed. Just nearby the summit is the famed "Carrot peak" where one has to descend 30ft in order to reach the peak with an approximate height of 60ft where a cross is erected unto it's top. Safety railings were held in place to aid those who wish to scale the peak which is inclined at 70degrees.

The summit offers a 360 degree panoramic view of  Bakun and the surrounding Cordillera mountains, On the far North Mt Namadiraan and its different peaks can be seen from afar, on the West Tagudin, Ilocos Sur and La Union. On the Eastern portion one can see Sagada and Mt Provimce.

The final 2000ft ascend similar to Akiki trail

Mt Namandiraan as seen from the summit

Bangar, Ilocos Sur as viewed from afar

At the top of the boulder, beside the Carrot Peak

Gwapo Be Like

Reigner, Erwin, Ten, Kiko, Bing, Emer & Kiko (photo credit)

Team Una ng LAQBAI: Ron, Erwin, Ten, Emer & Kiko

Photo credits: Kiko, Emil, Bing, Ron, Ten, Emer & Erwin

Hike date: Dec 15, 2017
***Special thanks sa mga nakasama ko sa hike na ito: Sir Emil, Mam Rita, Ate Bing, Mommy Daisy, Ten-Ten, Erwin, Reigner, Kiko and Ron Dubois and the rest of LAQBAI.