Cupcake at the Campsite: A Birthday Climb to Pico De Loro

Guess who’s back digging through the Blogger archives? Yep, me—finally giving this throwback post the spotlight it’s been waiting for! It’s been sitting there quietly, whispering, “Publish me! ” And here it is now—alive, shining, and ready for its moment. Not abandoned. Not forgotten. Just… redirected. 😉

Quick Trail Recap
🕓 Originally posted: Friday, 22 March 2013 | 8:56 AM | My Blogger account
✍️ Revisited & polished: August 2025
📍 DENR Station, Ternate, Cavite
🍰 The Birthday Climb That Wasn’t, But Felt Like One
🥾 Trail difficulty: 3/9—manageable for beginners but still rewarding for seasoned hikers.
🕯️ Highlight: Cold morning surprise with a cupcake and candle—an unofficial birthday celebration

It was cold that morning in Pico de Loro—cold enough to keep me curled inside my tent, reluctant to leave the warmth of my sleeping bag. The campsite was just beginning to stir when someone called my name.

I unzipped the tent slowly.

And there it was—a small chocolate cupcake, topped with a single blue candle, flickering against the mountain breeze. It wasn’t my birthday. Not yet. But in that moment, high above the trails of Cavite, it felt like it was.

🦜 Why “Pico de Loro”?

The name means “Parrot’s Beak” in Spanish, inspired by the mountain’s pointed summit and the iconic monolith that resembles a parrot’s beak when viewed from afar. Historically, it served as a navigational marker for Spanish seafarers heading toward Manila Bay.

Long before I became the kind of traveler who wandered cities alone, I was chasing summits with a backpack and a group of friends. This climb to Pico de Loro—one of Cavite’s most iconic mountains—was part of that chapter.

We weren’t complete that day. A few familiar faces from our previous climbs couldn’t make it. But the spirit of the group remained, steady as ever. Our destination: the mountain known for its striking monolith, shaped like a parrot’s beak.

📍 Getting to Pico de Loro (Ternate, Cavite)

I had expected more than ten people to join the overnight stay, so I brought a large tent for sharing. To my surprise, we were only six—five women and one guy—with three tents between us. We met up at Baclaran Church and caught a Saulog Transit bus bound for Ternate. After an hour’s ride, we transferred to tricycles at the Naic terminal for the 45-minute journey to the DENR station.

The Ascent from Base Camp 1

After registering and grabbing a quick bite, we began our trek, joined by a solo backpacker we met at the station. Four hours later, we reached the campsite, amazed to find it bustling with weekend backpackers. It turns out Pico de Loro is a favorite escape for many. That day, we met Kuya Melchor, a frequent visitor who became our guide and instant friend, pointing out the trail signs with quiet confidence.

The trek took nearly four hours. While considered a minor climb, the trail offered its own rhythm. From Base Camp 1, we followed a gradual ascent leading to Alibangbang Park—a welcome rest stop before the steeper trail toward the campsite. Trail signs marked the way, making navigation easy and reas

Three Tents, One Cupcake, and a Summit

After we settled our tents, we shared dinner and eventually called it a night. It was one of the rarest moments of my life—finally pushing through an overnight camping trip with my trek buddies. No matter how tired we were, falling asleep early was impossible; the campsite buzzed with the laughter and stories of other campers.

We accepted the small discomforts: a long walk to the water source and a mobile bathroom that tested our patience. But somehow, those little inconveniences made the experience even more authentic.

The Unofficial Birthday Celebration

That early morning, while I was still curled up inside the tent freezing from the cold, Candice handed me a piece of chocolate cupcake with a blue candle. She lit it and told me to blow it out—as if I were truly celebrating my birthday on the peak. It wasn’t my actual birthday yet, but for me, that moment remains one of the most special of my life.

There was something about that moment—the simplicity of it, the effort, the warmth shared in the middle of a cold campsite—that made it feel more real than any planned celebration.

It became one of the most special birthdays I’ve ever had.

⛰️ The Descent and a Promise to Return

After we packed up, all eyes turned to the monolith: a 50-foot vertical rock formation near the summit. Climbing it requires ropes and immense courage—it’s a true badge of honor for mountaineers.

I wanted to go, but I trusted my gut. The wind was strong, and my fear was stronger. Only two brave souls from our group made the climb. I left the summit with a bit of “unfinished business,” determined to return one day when the wind—and my heart—felt steadier.

A few hours later, we packed up and began our descent. I left Pico de Loro with a quiet sense of incompleteness—but also with something deeper. Not every climb is about reaching the highest point. Some are about the moments you carry with you long after you’ve gone down the mountain.

Some climbs are measured by elevation. Others are measured by the moments that find you along the way. Mine came in the form of a cupcake, a candle, and a quiet morning in the cold.

And to this day, Pico de Loro remains a place I know I’ll return to—not just to finish the climb, but to remember the version of myself who started it.

📅 As of 2025…

Mt. Pico De Loro has reopened to hikers after years of rehabilitation. With limited slots, mandatory guides, and improved trail infrastructure, it now welcomes a new generation of mountaineers—while quietly holding the memories of those who came before.

“Some climbs mark milestones. This one lit a candle in the cold.”