Several years back, we took a day trip to Buntot Palos Falls or Hidden Falls in Pangil, Laguna. At first I imagined meeting a snake along the path because I thought Palos means snake. But it actually translates to Eel’s Tail and pertains to the shape of the falls itself, although I can’t see the resemblance in any way.
The trail was quite challenging because you tend to get stuck in the mud. And most of the time, we had to stop in mid-track to figure out how to hop on the next rock or where the heck to lay next our feet!
Rule of thumb, you’re not supposed to create a new trail, just follow the existing ones otherwise the trail gets wider and vegetations are quashed in the process. Who would want a trail as wide as EDSA in the mountain anyway?
Buntot Palos is a 2-4 hour climb. The trail will really slow you down during rainy season. We went there around July or August (if I remember correctly), it rained on our way to the top and it was deliciously cold which made the trip even more exciting! On your way back, you will be greeted by the beautiful view of Laguna de Bay.
We reached the campsite and there was a group of teenagers having an activity on environmental awareness or something. We stopped for a while. It was crowded on the nipa and we had a hard time looking for a small space for ourselves. So we dumped ourselves yet again on the muddy ground and gobbled our lunch. Share share!
After a short rest, we descended on another difficult and supah slippery trail and shrinking from the carabao along the way. Finally after slipping, tripping, grabbing loose leaves to keep from falling and eventually making ourselves dirty, we arrived at the Buntot Palos Falls.
Since it was raining, the cascade of this 80-meter high falls was strong and can even be heard from afar. The water is deep and the only shallow areas are the gaps from the rocks good for tampisaw only!
Now here’s the tip. Other trekkers content themselves up to this area, the waterfalls itself. But with our itchy legs, we decided to ascend on another trail leading up to the top of the waterfalls. It was another 15-25 minutes climb.
We arrived at a silent and crystal-clean stream. This is where you can dip yourselves till kingdom come! There is a narrow ‘bathtub’ there between rocks where you can submerge yourself. That ‘bathtub’ is like a catch basin as the water from the stream flows down to it.
In the next picture, the narrow stream will turn to the right leading to the ‘head’ of Buntot Palos falls. The stream gets faster at the end of this turn.
Getting There:From Crossing, EDSA, hop on a jeep going to Siniloan, Laguna. At Siniloan, ride in a tricycle going to Buntot Palos.
1 Comment
May 4, 2008 at 7:42 pm
madam princesa, when were you there exactly? Nowadays, the trail going there is nearly as wide as the width of the paved road whose end signal the climb. At times, trails branch out, one for the horses that carries the cut logs and another for those trecking. There is a campsite near the falls, there are 4 or 5 watering stream fixtures. Somebody said that this is a level 1 climb… hmmm, i dont have that exposure yet but other than the downward and the stif upward trails near the falls itself, where you still needs to hold on branches… btw somebody has been nice to leave a guide rope in the trail, much appreciated! This has been a busy falls recently especially during holy week!