Enjoying the waters at Imugan Falls
I was asking around some of the locals there on how long it would take for me to reach the Imugan Falls. Most people would say 30 minutes. But as they say, sense of time between the rural and urban folks have a difference. I’ll find out soon enough as I head to the falls while they are having a workshop that afternoon at Imugan Town.
The cascades heading towards the falls
I had the river on my left while on the trail. I had instructions to always keep on the right. I think the people there know the place is safe enough as not to worry about me going by myself. As with any other new destination, there’s always that mental challenge in your head on just pushing forward even if you had no idea the place is near or not.
The author on a rock admiring the falls from afar
The trail was easy with only a few slopes here and there. I was monitoring my time as well to see if the 30 minutes time they said was accurate. The trail was quiet and only crossed path with one local on the way. The forest here is dense and the sound of rushing water grew louder as I head on.
Passing by this smaller falls on the side
I reached the end of the dirt trail going to the river. I could clearly hear the falls further but there is no other path but across. I looked around again if I missed anything of there is another way but none. There seems to be a pathway on the other side so I decided to continue and cross the river.
Stairs heading to the main level of the falls
It was not as deep as I thought it was, the water level reached only above my knees. Current wasn’t that strong so it was easy to pass through. I reached land again and only for a short walk then crossed the river again to reach the large boulder where a hut on top was placed. I could see the waterfalls from here and it was a really nice looking falls. Because of the rains, the pour was stronger and there were about a couple cascades before the main pool. On the right before heading towards the main pool there is a smaller falls.
Reaching the main leve of the falls
Personally I thought it was a wonderful looking falls. Despite a couple of huts there the waters were really clean and the cascades looks great. The place is also safe to swim to as the water was not that deep. It was already late in the afternoon when I was there so I went back after taking a few photos.
Avoiding the spray behind the triangle rock
But since this falls is just a 30 minutes walk away which I confirmed, we were able to visit the place in the afternoons when we were done with our tasks for the day. We would buy snacks and softdrinks and eat them there. Nash the writer being a Kankanay loves to explore. When he was a kid in Benguet he would trace the source of the waterfalls and that’s just what he did on the smaller stream on the right of the main falls.
The smaller falls on top of the bigger falls at Imugan Falls
With a bit more exploring we found that there is another trail going on top of the falls where one could find a smaller falls. And it doesn’t end there as the trail continue all the way up to where there is a river, water source of the large falls. I no longer explored that part as it was really slippery and I’m more afraid of my camera than myself.
Imugan Falls Cascade to main falls from the small falls
Initially, I had thought the basin of the main pour was really deep judging from the strong flow. Not until we chanced upon meeting a bunch of kids from other towns going there for a visit. You know kids in the provinces, they are more adventurous and really knows how to swim. They would jump across those rocks with only their cheap sandals as if they were walking on the ground. So these kids went into the water and found out that it was only waist deep towards the pour of the falls itself. When we found out about this we readily went into water and enjoyed the falls as well.
There’s still a trail going up for more
Imugan falls is really a fun waterfall. It’s a lot safer to swim around with, there are trails to explore and the water is really clean. It is definitely one of Nueva Vizcaya’s natural wonders and I hope it stays that way for many years to come.
The author admiring the falls up close
wow! another beautiful falls. mukhang masarap talagang magrelax relax dyan sa imugan.
nice shots, ferdz! went up here in 2005 ata…. wish i could back and take photos like yours. hehehehe… pero that means, trekking pa rin. hehehe
Naku Erick! After our work in the afternoon tambay lang kami dito. Nakaka relax.
Haha. Ayaw mo na talaga ng trekking ha Barok
Falls look great when water is roaring down but when it is dry parang hindi maganda pero safer to explore dahil hindi madulas.
Sayang, I never saw Imugan Falls when I was doing fieldwork in Nueva Vizcaya in the late 60′s.
ang ganda ganda naman jan. malamig ba tubig?
who wouldnt be in love with that?! fresh cool like C2! hahaha… nice to see the author himself in the photos. magaya nga.
awesome photos… as usual… never cease to amaze me – no end… i noticed too that despite the slow shutter speed the ‘kids’ beneath the ‘pour’ are not blurred – considering that there must have been a lot of movement happening being kids… cheers…
True BertN, the rains have made the waters a lot stronger. Wow! You explored Nueva Vizcaya before. I heard the state of the forest back tehn was not so good as now.
Yup Photo Cache! It’s cool and clean
Hahaha. I need to add myself there Dom to show the sense of scale
Many thanks Dreggo, it is slow but not that slow a shutter to be able to hold the kids where they are. But if you view this 100% the kids aren’t that clear.
Again nice story, as I am reading the part where Nash is tracing the water source I remember similar events with my friend as well, it bring backs memories.
Are you using ND filters on your waterfall shots? They are executed very well. And the leaf on the 2nd pic, did you just add it on the frame to add more elements? I love the composition on that 2nd photo.
Thanks.
Wow, I love falls although because of my camera mishap awhile back, I’m kind of cautious about them. But nice, nice images, amigo, very refreshing. Can’t wait to go to Imugan and see the falls as well as imbibe the small town experience.
[...] experience as well. Once we were in town, we bought some snacks at a store then went back to the Imugan Falls to relax. Tomorrow we’ll be heading to the Pine Forest of [...]
try to take a dip sa Imugan falls!!!!I’m sure, di niyo yun makakalimutan
[...] waterscape The highlight our trip, the Imugan Falls. I first saw this falls on Ferdz’s site and I said to myself that I will ask him to bring us to this place. After eating our late [...]
we went there last year with my barkada..grbe a very beautiful place..to relax and enjoy the falls.. it was so cold there..the people there was very hospitable..love it..wish we could go back there again..=)
..wow!!ganda naman..sna mamentain ung kagandahan ng place..
tnx for the photos pala..hehe!!!
….wewww its been 4 years since the last time i went there…and i really miss the place..lage kmi dun hanging out with my bestfriends jalyn and frennie during our highschool days….tnx sa mga photos…atleast kht sa photos q nlng nkkta…gudwork po…
excuse me po… pwede po kayang magamit mga phorographs po ninyo for primary photo ng nueva vizcaya?
talagang magand ang imugan falls. napakalinis at napakalamig ng tubig. magagandang view at wild plants. sana makabalik kai sa summer para maenjoy ang tubig.
super ganda.. i wish i could go there and relax even just for a while.. of course it’ll be better with friends,,, nice shots.. keep exploring ..prang pang international na ung spot..