“Save the best for last” is definitely a phrase that applies in this situation, because as we’ve come to the last waterfall in our Chasing Waterfalls in Bakun adventure last June, it also happens to be the best one. For me, personally. This is my second visit to Mangta Falls, and dare I say that it felt like the first time, but even better?
I say that in the sense that I know it’s the same waterfall, but it somehow feels different.
As a point of reference, let me hark you back to that first visit in this post: Bakun, The Last Frontier.
And, of course, this photograph of Mangta Falls that was taken back then. This was on a relatively dry October month in 2013, and the water was calm, relaxing as it flows down the smooth rock surface into that pool down below.
Ok, now let’s fast forward 5 years to the present, and I’m about to revisit it!
From one waterfall to another
We left Pattan Falls at 7:30 AM and slowly made our way down a trail comprised of mud, loose soil and gravel, and some empty paddies. The rain eased out some, replaced by mild to strong drizzle.
Not that relevant anymore, though, since most of us were already soaked from Pattan Falls. *raises hand guiltily*
After 15 minutes we got to the pipes that also served as the path circling the side of the mountain, leading to the power plant and, subsequently, Mangta Falls.
I remember the trek before to have lasted more than a couple of hours from Poblacion Central down to Mangta Falls. But that was because the trail was still not too trodden upon, and the weather was muuuuch nicer, so we took our sweet time walking.
Somehow, the rain falling down on us added some urgency to our hike, so we found ourselves moving faster than usual.
The hike and path down to Mangta Falls was exactly the same as I remember it from my one previous visit: quite a steep and seemingly endless descent, which meant an equally steep and also seemingly endless ascent when you come back up later. Part of me dreaded that, because it was tiring back then, and I’m sure it won’t be any different now.
But mostly, I was just excited to see how Mangta Falls looks like fully “watered”.
After 20 more minutes, we arrived at the Lon-oy Hydroelectric Power Plant, then right beside it was the very long hanging bridge that remained unchanged in my memory even as I once again stepped on it.
Just like before, this bridge can only accommodate up to 900kg at one time, so only 9 people can be on it, and the next group can only get on it when the first group has finally arrived on the other side and already off the bridge.
I forgot if the dog that came tagging along with us counted as one, haha! But it was so adorable how carefully he navigated his way on the bridge, so as to avoid one of his precious paws from falling through any of the holes.
As we continued on the hike, I remembered to look up, and spotted Pattan Falls.
Soooo much different from the first time I saw it, when it didn’t have any water.
And man, I can’t believe we were there just a little less than an hour ago!
And finally, at 8:15 AM, we came to Mangta Falls.
Oddly enough, it felt a bit like how a homecoming would feel. It was familiar, but not really. The rainy days seemed to have colored the rocks into a darker gray, none of the sun-kissed brown it used to be.
And there was considerably much more more water.
Back then, there was a dry area on the edge. This time, water spilled and flowed over it, down to the side into another stream.
In fact, the water current was so strong, if you’re not careful, you might be swept down and break some limbs and sustain scratches in the process.
The water was quite deep, and the current pretty much sweeps you right back away if you try to swim towards the falls. But if you walk along the sides, the water reaches waist-deep (in my case, dudes and dudettes) until you get close.
As much as I wanted to get closer, up close and personal with that water curtain, I settled for up to this point. There are some things I wouldn’t risk.
So if you sit on the water, with Mangta Falls at your back, this is what will be before you: water spilling down the rocks below, and Pattan Falls up there, in the distance.
Funny how, while we were standing there earlier, we couldn’t see past the mist to spot Mangta Falls.
We spent the longest time here. Even as the others in our group already left and started the hike back up to town, we stayed behind for a bit and just frolicked and fooled around in the water, regardless of how cold it was.
To be honest, it actually felt more comfortable to stay in the water, because it was when you surface that you feel the chill seeping in.
And the whole time, Pattan Falls was “guarding” and watching over us. From this vantage point, it looks really close, doesn’t it? It makes it so easy to forget the hike from there to here.
At 9:20, we decided to call it a day (at Mangta Falls) and started our laid-back hike back to Poblacion Central. The sun was peeking out a bit at this point, but not so much to make the climb hot and uncomfortable.
Our climb 5 years ago took a bit longer, partly because our group was comprised mostly of first-time hikers, and it was a bit hot in the afternoon already.
How laidback were we, you wonder? Well, we even stopped more than halfway and ate the packed food we brought with us. Such a very early lunch, since it was just a little bit past ten.
It was already 11am when we arrived at our accommodations, bathed, packed, and got ready to go back home. The day seemed to fly past real quick, because just a little over 24 hours ago, we arrived in this sleepy little town, but we were able to pack some hiking and FIVE WATERFALLS into it.
Now, that, my friends, is what I call an adventure worth taking once in a while. Try it. You’ll find it’s good for you.
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