"...this is the real image of Baguio its ancestors wanted her to be known. It is the City of Pines after all—and I felt the very essence of her tag when I trekked into its pine forest."

[BAGUIO, BENGUET, PHILIPPINES] ▬ During the precolonial ages, Baguio used to be made of villages rich in natural resources, watersheds and pine forests. I'm trying to picture it out in my mind and I am seeing a bucolic dream wonderland everyone wishes to see. When the Americans came, they developed Baguio into a modern town with government buildings and a military base. Remnants of the American period are very much present.

[BAGUIO] ▬ THE PINE TREES ARE HERE TO STAY.

▬ Camp John Hay's Soft Side ▬

THE CAMP JOHN HAY (JOHN HAY BASE) in Baguio is a strong living reminder of the American occupation. Whenever I hear about Camp John Hay, the first thing that comes out my mind are expensive hotels and a golf course. I usually think of luxury; not until I trekked into its heart.

The prior occupants of what is known today as Camp John Hay are the pine trees. It would be nice to really enjoy this place seeing its old face. Luckily, I did.

My thought of Camp John Hay as a destination for luxury was changed when I trekked into its pine forest for the first time. I must say I have seen a piece of the original ambiance of the former military camp.

Baguio owns the City of Pines tag. However, Baguio's most popular crowded destinations like the Session Road, SM Mall, Mines View Park, Burnham Park, The Mansion and others don't give you the real "City of Pines' experience.

While trekking in between tall pine trees seeing both old and young trunks, my sarcasm suddenly realized that the busy life in Session road, the traffic in Harrison and the shoppers crowd in SM Baguio are ridiculous.

[BAGUIO] ▬ THE PINE TREES OF CAMP JOHN HAY

[BAGUIO] ▬ SO YES, SOME PARTS OF CAMP JOHN HAY ARE DENSELY VEGETATED WITH PINE TREES.

[BAGUIO] ▬ YOUNG PINE TREES GROWING.

▬ Tree Top Adventure ▬

A PRIVATELY-RUN ADVENTURE PARK LOCATED IN CAMP John Hay has developed this lush part of Baguio to bring visitors into the old face of Baguio. Mixed with exhilarating activities, you can enjoy the quiet, green and often overlooked part of the City of Pines.

is the name of the adventure-and-tour operator. For an individual rate of 100 pesos, you can trek into its pine woodland and view the area 100 feet above the ground through the Skywalk.

[BAGUIO] ▬ THE TREK STARTS.

[BAGUIO] ▬ TREKKING IN CAMP JOHN HAY

[BAGUIO] ▬ IT'S A MAGICAL VIEW WHILE ON TRACK.

[BAGUIO] ▬ BEAUTIFUL WINDING TRAIL

[BAGUIO] ▬ VIEW OF NEIGHBORING ITOGON TOWN

▬ Ending Thoughts ▬

I MUST SAY, THIS IS THE REAL image of Baguio its ancestors wanted her to be known. It is the City of Pines after all—and I felt the very essence of her tag when I trekked into its pine forest.

It may have lost some of its trees prior to the American occupation and reforestation might have restored its old glory but I still found the answer why its early inhabitants and visitors called it as the City of Pines.

I never thought I would ever experience this in Camp John Hay. Finally, my self believed I'm in the City of Pines and this place should and must be the real Baguio image of the past and today! ▬ end

[BAGUIO] ▬ THE TRAIL

► FOOTNOTES, DISCLAIMERS, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, ETC

[1] This post is filed under the category "Trekking." To see more posts from this category, scroll down and check the "More Posts From This Category" below.

[2] This experience was made possible through Azalea Residences Hotel in Baguio City. I was invited to experience the Azalea hospitality.

[3] All maps I used on this post are the works of Eugene Alvin Villar and Mike Gonzalez published on Wikipedia. Source: 1 | 2 |