Mt. Batolusong is one of the 'latest hits' in the local hiking scene, its proximity to Manila spurring a spate of interest in the mountain in 2012 and onwards. It is located between Brgy. Cuyambay and Brgy. San Andres in Tanay, Rizal, pretty much in the same direction as Sta. Ines, the jumpoff of the more popular and more difficult Mt. Irid. It is often compared to nearby Mt. Sembrano, because of some similarities in the two mountains' grassland slopes; Batolusong may be thought of a 'closer and easier' version of Sembrano.
Just take Cogeo Gate2 and your landmark is CMA (City Mall of Antipolo). You can have your breakfast or lunch at nearest fastfood chains like, Jolibee and Mang Inasal (locate at Rublou Market/PureGold Jr.) (UPDATED ONE)
From your dropped off point at CMA, a market there is terminal of Sampaloc, Palo-Alto. Every 30minutes there is queue of in-bound and out-bound trip between Cogeo Gate2 and Sampaloc. Asked driver to dropped you at Junction in Barangay San Andres or Bario Kai- Ibon.
From this point, you have to take motor or tricycle that will take you to the barangay hall. They will arranged you the guide and at the same time you have to register 20 pesos each.
Right now, it is uncertain. Under the old setup, hikers are asked to register at the PSD Outpost in Sitio Kay-ibon. With this new trailhead, the logical registration point is the barangay hall or with the barangay officials of Brgy. San Andres. However, it is also very possible that municipality of Tanay may demand that hikers get a permit from them as well. Considering the history of insurgency in Rizal province, this is very understandable but I hope they do not impose it since it will be very inconvenient for hikers if they will have to go all the way to Tanay proper.
Dropping by the Kai-Ibon Fall before proceeding with the hike.
Kai-Ibon Falls.
In a dry place, fortunately that this thing grows up here.
One cold morning and refreshing view of Sierra Madre Mountain Range.
There are no water sources in Mapatag Plateau and for most of the trail. Cellphone signal is present in Mapatag but not in the trailhead or most parts of the trail.
There are some reports of theft in the past so hikers are advised to be careful.
Additional reminders:
There is no cellular signal.
Sunblock is advisable as the first part of the trail is open, also in grassland until mapatag plateau, mapatag plateau up to the traverse jump off.
There is no limatik presence, there is watersource 30-45minutes from the jump off. Nearby in Kay-ibon there is watersource
Last trip of jeep is 6:30PM from Sampaloc.
2L-4L is safe enough for a dayhike, for an overnight please consider your campwater.
