Baguio City: Camp John Hay's Yellow Trail

Baguio City: Camp John Hay's Yellow Trail

June 12, 2015 

a distant view from the trail

An Independence Day adventure to Baguio City, the Summer Capital of the Philippines, due to its topographical location one finds best for hiking, trekking and walking as well. The first trail I had conquered, the Baguio Camp John Hay’s Yellow Trail. Four of my friends and my sister head to the said trail. They were the kind of friends that are easy to be around and go around (chuckles), friends with the same type of humor, love for adventure and level of appreciation for best places and so with good food, which also makes them awesome travel buddies. 

Now trekking and hiking to a high altitude means an adventure, exciting and challenging. Proximity of Baguio City, a one hour away from my hometown Naguilian, La Union via public utility bus such Partas and Farinas.

wild flowers along the trail

we took the opportunity to take picture backdrop with the famous CJH Manor Hotel

We had left our town at around 6:30 in the morning and we arrived in Baguio, an hour later, we took a taxi that goes straight to the second gate of Camp John Hay. From the gate, we headed towards Techno Hub, a portion of Camp John Hay where you can find offices, shops, cafes and restaurants, and straight to Manor Hotel which we took awesome pictures then we headed to Tree Top Adventure where we started the trail. 

stairs to tree top adventure

a quick gear before walking and running...

the yellow trail is abundant with mountain ferns

you can find an intriguing color tiny blue fruits with flower along the trail that will attracts you and take a shot

As we are walking on the trail a biker were passing us by, from the opposite direction a couple were walking a Japanese couple as I recognized by their voice and another were Germans, two kids and their father passing by as we are getting wild strawberries.

wild strawberries...some are sweet and some are not, though pick the red ones

the yellow insect..

CJH's Yellow Trail was the only destination for the day and if there is enough time the group will head to Asin Hot Spring of Nangalisan, Tuba, Benguet which I had been before on year 2008.

just keep walking...

be careful with those roots you might stumble down

About the CJH’s Yellow Trail, the trail network is actually the route used by the horse rental operators for tourists who wants to experience horseback riding and has also gotten popular among hikers, bikers and fellow runners out for a good sweet sweat. Why Yellow Trail?  The reason Yellow Trail was named such is because of yellow-colored horse manure found along the trail, hence it is used as horseback riding. Another route is the Blue and White Trail, also within CJH's vicinity, which will try in the near future. I was wondering why it’s called Blue and White Trail, thinking?

the big tree and rock, you can always pass this location along the trail

Entrance is free and it's easy to find your way in and out. With pine trees and scenic mountain views, it's hard not to feel happy when you're surrounded with pine trees, not to mention a panoramic view of the mountains from the trail, and the smell of the trees (Saleng in Ilokano dialect, it is used to create fire quickly). The total length of the route, out and back was 9.6 KM. 

walking pa more

pose in front of one CJH Forest Cabins

The terrain offers rocky, dusty sections which are easy on the knees but you have to watch out for pine needles on the ground which can be very slippery, as well as the tricky bits - tree roots on the trail which can cause nasty falls.

an old paper tree in front of CJH Forest Cabins

Towards the end of the route we passed by the entrance gate of the United States of America Embassy and we take the advantage of taking some shots and posed, then we head out to CJH’s Forest Cabins, then we had a snack near the CJH’s Mini Golf Course for kids, now I remember that I had a picture back when I was young, mom and dad brought me here.

After the trail we took a jeepney ride going to town and went to Cha Chias Restaurant (foods...lutong bahay at its best) located at the back of Ina Mansion.

Yellow Trail

• Location: Camp John Hay
• Entrance Fee: None
• Required Conditioning: A little bit challenging,
• Trail Difficulty: Easy to Goodbye World
• Trail Type: Single Track
• Trail Features: Roots, lots of roots. rocks, some rocks. Horse s**t, be careful you might step on it, saw only one horse sh**t.
• What to bring: A bottled of water, extra shirt/s and face towel for your sweet sweat.. happy trailing!