The Four Lakes of Mystical Kabayan

We might not realize it, but we all have our “no-fail-places-to-go-to”. It’s the kind of place that you can go to repeatedly and never fail to be satisfied, awed, or amazed. You just want to keep coming back, no matter what the circumstances because it just never fails to make a positive impact on you. It’s probably a coffee shop, a restaurant, a certain beach, or a specific town you always go to for a quick getaway. I, too, have a shortlist, and on it is mystical Kabayan.

‘Mystical Kabayan‘ is the tagline adapted by the Tourism Office of the municipality of Kabayan, one of the 13 municipalities of Benguet. It was originally known as the place where the greater part of the Mt. Pulag National Park is located. It is also where the centuries-old mummies of Benguet can be found. Over the years, it has amassed other distinctions and recognitions, including being a hall-of-famer in Streetdance competitions and opening up various other natural and cultural attractions.

I was given the opportunity to visit this mystical place once again when the Search for Mr. and Ms. Benguet 2014 had their immersion activity in Kabayan, particularly to explore her Four Lakes.

This marks the 4th time I have been in Kabayan. The first three times was to climb Mt. Pulag. The first one was back in 2007. November 2 to 4, 2007, to be exact, in the LGU-sponsored “Pasiyal Shi Kabayan” (“a visit to Kabayan”) where I was with the first group that went up Mt. Pulag via the Tawangan Trail.

The second time was in the Holy Climb in March 2009, where we went up via the “killer trail”, the Akiki Trail. Later that same year, in December, I joined the “December to Remember Climb”. That time, we chose the easiest route, the Ambangeg Trail.

This time around, it was just a day trip, and it’s all about the Four Lakes of Kabayan.

(Disclaimer: All pics are mine, unless otherwise indicated in the captions.)

It was a Sunday morning, and we were picked up by our ride at Ambuklao in Bokod, where we camped the night before (we joined the Ambuklao Adventure 3 and had to bail out a day earlier for this trip).

It was more than an hour drive from Ambuklao to Poblacion, Kabayan, where we had brunch, a little bit of a presentation by the Tourism Office and the Mayor. Then it was another half-an-hour ride to Ballay, Kabayan, where the jump-off point for the trek (yes, it’s a trek) is located.

It’s quite a rough ride, and rough rides deserve tough wheels.

Jump-off Point

It’s so easy to miss. Good thing we had guides and people from the municipality with us. 🙂 It was a literal “jump” up, then walking through a narrow trail with brush and vines and blades on all sides. And I do mean “all”, yep, even overhead. It was around 15-20 minutes before we arrived at Junior Pulag.

Junior Pulag

This place got its name for obvious reasons. As you go up, you start to feel the temperature and air pressure changing. There’s a chill in the air, and the breeze is like that of the one at the Mt. Pulag summit.

 

First Lake: Lake Incolos

We finally arrived at the first lake, Lake Incolos.

Huh? What lake? Where??

Yes, you read it right. In the pic above, they were actually standing on the lake. No, it’s not a case of being able to walk on water, but I guess you could say that as well.

The lake is underneath the surface of the ground. But it’s not really much of a ground, really. It’s mostly a marshy area. Stand still for a long time, and you’ll feel yourself slowly sinking, with water seeping into your shoes. Try jumping, and it’s like you’re bouncing on a mattress. A damp mattress.

Needless to say, first lake, and my socks are already damp. Haha!

Second Lake: Lake Latep-Ngapos

Moving on, we hiked through another dense “forest”, with thick underbrush. The hazards are mostly tree roots all over the trail.

And then we arrived at the second lake, Latep-Ngapos.

There were two spots here that are perfect spots for taking photos. They are basically tree barks (or roots, really) over the water.

Another thing that remains consistent about this is the fact that the weather is unpredictable. It may be shining like all glory be down there, but go up to a higher elevation, and it will be all foggy and cold, with lots of rain pouring down. It is no different with this one. Ballay is an elevated place, so it wasn’t really much of a surprise for me when it started to pour while we were at Lake Latep-Ngapos.

The shower lasted for around 10 minutes. Then fog set in. Still, that did not take away from the mystique and beauty of the place.

We moved further on, and this is when the rain started to fall in earnest. I didn’t have an umbrella. I had my waterproof jacket tucked inside my pouch and I felt too lazy to take it out. So I just lapped it all up. And loved every minute of it. Of course, we had to be extra careful since the trail became even more slippery.

Oh, and I forgot that my camera is not waterproof. XD

Third Lake: Lake Bulalakao

This is said to be the most beautiful among the four. Unfortunately, when we got there, the rain was coming down in sheets, and you really cannot see the water beyond 2-3 meters in front of you. It’s like the clouds came down to the ground, covering the water. In fact, if you didn’t know there was a lake before you, it’s not entirely impossible for you to walk right into it. And sink.

I saw this place the first time back in 2007 but, at the time, it was already dusk, so it was quite dark. This second time, its beauty remained elusive to me. I shall keep coming back until I get it right and I am able to see it, unencumbered by any cloud or fog.

Look what I unearthed! Back in 2007 we really didn’t much care about taking photos. We just went, took what we could, then kept it. (I’m so glad I did.) And that, my friends, is my roundabout way of saying “I’m sorry for the crappy quality of these pix.”

Lake Bulalakao, you are one elusive beaut, you. I will come back someday soon and see you revealed in all your glory. Just you wait. 🙂

So after spending a few minutes by the Lake, we went back up and trekked back to the road, where our ride was waiting to take us back the way we came from, and visit the last of the four, Lake Tabeyo.

 

Fourth Lake: Lake Tabeyo

This is the most accessible among the four. In fact, going to the jump-off point, you’d pass this along the road. Another circuit will also have this as the first stop, but we did the circuit the other way around.

Oh, by the time we were here, there was no rain, although we’re pretty sure it was still raining “up there” in the other three lakes.

I looked back to take one last (longing) look at Lake Tabeyo.

Three words.

“We’ll be back.”

And “See you again. Soon”.

Wait, those are four words.

Kabayan will always hold a special place in my heart, if only for the fact that it never fails to enchant me. Indeed, it is one mystical place that everyone should visit at least once in their lives. Personally, I think the four times I did is not nearly enough.

To Get There:

Travel time from Baguio City to Poblacion, Kabayan takes approximately three (3) hours. From Poblacion, it’s about 30 to 45 minutes’ ride to Barangay Ballay, the jump-off point for various attractions, including the 4 lakes.

The usual route: Ballay visitors’ welcome/reception area, ride to Lake Tabeyo, ride to hiking start point to Lake Bulalakaw, Lake Latep-Ngapos, and Lake Incolos, then Junior Pulag.

The route we took: Ballay visitors’ welcome/reception area, (passed by Lake Tabeyo), jump-off for hike to Junior Pulag, Lake Incolos, Lake Latep-Ngapos, Lake Bulalakaw, and back (on vehicle) to Lake Tabeyo.

If you want to go, I suggest you coordinate with the Tourism Office of the local government unit of Kabayan. Sir Berry Sangao and Ma’am Ghislyn Marave will definitely welcome and entertain all your questions.