Conquering Sagada: Trekking to Bomod-Ok Falls (4.22.11)

the group before the trek

THE BIG FALLS

Second day, 22nd of April 2011 and we're about to start another breathtaking stay in Sagada. The group planned to stretch our legs and trek our way to Bomod-ok Falls a.k.a. the BIG FALLS. This spot is as popular as the Sumaguing Cave and it's something no one can afford to miss if you're in Sagada. They say its a day-long trek so we prepared some munchies and packed lunch to outlive the day. We left the inn at around 7am and head up to Banga-an, the drop-off point of the trek.

at a shed, after downtrekking 200 steps... 1800 to go!

As it starts, we're bound to a downhill of steps which is surprisingly cemented. Our guide said it was around 2,000 steps downward followed by a one and half kilometer terraces traverse before we can reach the falls itself. 

 
The view as we trekked down was really SUPERB. One will have an up close and personal view of the rice stalks as it swayed with the occasional blowing of the wind. We then passed through a village named Fidelisan wherein we paid P10 each as environmental fee.  It was worth it coz  it funded  the cemented pathways that  slithers through the terraces up to few meters before the falls. The trek down took us 2 hrs and its really tiring though… we're all thinking how much more if we head back! wheewww! But i guezz, those lots of pix taking along the trail helped us retain our strength.

  

Then finally... the beauty of a hidden paradise started to unfold as we approached. The actual falls is really BEAUTIFUL and BREATHTAKING nonetheless that the trek to it is equally amazing. Our guide informed us that the falls itself provide the whole town of Sagada some of their water supply. Few water pipes were constructed atop the falls that run through channels that enroute to some of their villages. No wonder, the waterfalls wasn't that big during our visit, added the fact that it was summer.

Upon arrival, we rested for awhile and prepared ourselves for a cold dip… I meant, REALLY A COLD ONE! As if you’re swimming in an iced-water! But I guezz, my falls adventure would not be complete if I don’t dare to plunge… and there was I! =) Swimming in an icy cold water made my bones really shivers. If you’re not a strong swimmer, don’t attempt to even go to the deeper parts. The cold could tire you easily and all the shivering could make it hard for you to make efficient strokes across the water. But it was worth the experience, I really took time to enjoy and take pleasure on the beauty the falls offers.

 

We had our lunch at the falls and have some bonding. We even clambered ourselves to the other side and enjoy the view in it. That bluish-green water... massive rocks... and an unending water plunge, whoooaaah! It really made my day.

After few hours, we need to trek back. Our guide instructed us to take another route, a rather easier one that would pass along AGUID village. It was expectedly more exhausting coz it was mosstttttly uphill. We even stopped a lot of times and breathe our hearts out.  But despite it, we were amazed on green rice stalks dancing with the occasional blowing of wind and seeing that throughout the trek made it such a wonderful experience and was really worth all the pounds that we shed off!

After two hours, we finally reached the top and head our way to some sort of.... CULTURAL and FOOD TRIPPING! That's up next... =)