GQNPC Road Trip Leg 3: Going up Kennon Road

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July 17, 2010.

Of the three main ways to Baguio City from the southern flatlands, we chose Kennon Road, the shortest, and the most treacherous of them all. We left the plains in Rosario, La Union after that last pit stop at the Shell Station where there was a road advisory for Baguio commuters.

Every time I pass Kennon Road, I can't help but respect the mighty Cordillera Mountain Range and wonder at the hardy residents of the mountains. The environment is tough and the people are even tougher. What with houses hugging cliffs and neighbourhoods connected by hanging bridges and zip lines. I bet water and electricity are hard to maintain in such a rugged place, but to the residents, these conditions are their version of normal.

At the same time, the view is beautiful; there were a few waterfalls along the route and the rocky facets contrasted well with the vegetation. Fallen rocks and damaged roads remind travellers that landslides may be everyday perils up in this area.

On our ascent, fog did not slow us down. Road conditions did. The man, on the photo below, monitored traffic up one segment. On another part of Kennon Road, a passenger kept disembarking from another car and running up the paved road (still not open to vehicles) as the driver kept the car moving up the muddy side of the highway. What a work out!

At last, we arrived at the iconic Lion's Head, a famous sight up Kennon Road. I was shocked to find a blonde lion! Honestly, I preferred it painted all black; the black mane gave the lion an impression of strength. With the blonde mane, it looks like a lion pretending to be a kitty.

This landmark was where the DSLR holders first exposed their gear. Dara and Roslen had telephoto lenses, I think. I had a good time taking in the view (of winding roads and lush vegetation) from the fence beside the souvenir stalls by the lion statue, and from across the road.

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