Coconut Grove

Above the village of San Roque is Mt. Achugao, a volcanic cone with a fairly steep slope on the south side, and a sheer drop on the north side. Many times we have enjoyed climbing up to the top to enjoy the view and see the numerous foxholes scattered in that area. For our Sunday hike, we have decided to meet at the Kosacks' driveway, then walk toward Achugao, and hike northward to a coconut grove where we may be able to explore further. At 6:15 a.m. A group of 11 hikers congregates for the adventure: Peppy, Cutie, HandyRedeye, JungleCat (aka Cat), newcomers Vince and Rose, perpetual traveler Doug, Rexplorer, CC, Spicegirl, Scout, and dog Boy.  

Starting on the Wireless ridge, or Savana Road, toward Achugao are Vince, Rexplorer, JungleCat, Rose, Cutie, Peppy, Scout, and Doug. 

Boy romping on the grassy field, with Achugao in the background.

The trail to the base of Achugao is pure red mud.  Rose hops over a downed tree trunk, while  JungleCat, Scout, RedEye, Cutie wait their turn, careful to step on grass clumps to avoid the red mud. When the group reaches the base of Achugao, Rexplorer, Doug, Rose, Spicegirl, Scout, and Boy decide to climb to the top of the ledge, and the rest of the group will continue onto the "trail" and meet up with the others when we reach the cave.

Flower of the passion fruit vine.

Barely visible is RedEye's head. When we reach the cave, he climbs up to the hillside above, and dropped into a trench to see how deep it is.

Here is the trench.

Vince, JungleCat, RedEye, Peppy, and Cutie relaxing while waiting for the others to rejoin the group. Beyond is the Philippine Sea.

Slacking off and sitting down on the job, and appearing to be taking a nap! Actually, RedEye is doing a favorite buttsliding on the slippery grass.

Following the example of RedEye, Spicegirl and Peppy likewise buttsliding down the slippery grass. 

The old familiar trail has completely disappeared, so we split into two groups to find the best way to reach the end of this field of tall sword grass. 

Rexplorer urges everyone to join him and Doug on the high rocky "hill".  It involves scaling up to the top. Here Peppy manages to haul herself up.

Taking a short break to survey the thick jungle below, our next destination.

From sword grass to thick jungle, we are near the trail that will lead us to the coconut grove.

Stages of Bridal Veil Mushroom

(brief info extracted from Wikipedia)

Brand new appearance of the mushroom still only in its stock. Its scientific name is Phallus Indusiatus. It is also called bamboo fungus, long net stinkhorn, or veiled lady. It grows in well rotted woody areas. We find this in the vicinity of the coconut grove.

The conical cap on top of the stalk grows out next. Just beneath the cap is the delicate skirt, or "indusium". Notice the bulb the stalk is growing out of.

Finally the mushroom is fully grown. The cap contains slimy spores that attract flies and other insects that eat the spores and disperse them. 

Another bulb ready to sprout.

Doug, Cutie, and Vince on the trail.

Amongst fern bushes and coconut trees, we are ready for a snack break. Rose, Vince, JungleCat, Cutie, RedEye get the snacks ready, while Peppy checks if there is internet connection!

Underneath a fallen tree trunk is this orange "Casper the Friendly Ghost" suspended over the rotted leaves and other debris.

A group of beautiful hikers (without Rexplorer who left early): Scout, Rose, Peppy, JungleCat, Vince, Spicegirl, Doug the perpetual traveler, CC, RedEye, and Cutie.

Orange "Club and Coral" Fungus. Best not to eat them!

We find our way back up the hill.

Back on the big rock, we stop for a breather and once again admire the view, and checking on where we have been in the thick woods below.  

The above google map shows how close we have gone to almost reach the shooting range. Not sure if the trail is clear enough. But then, we have been beating through jungles of tall grass, bushes, and other obstacles to create our own trail anyway! Next time?

Everyone seems to have really enjoyed the adventure, several have confirmed that it is a Five-Sneaker hike...