Hiking Guam - Mount Jumullong & Mount Lamlam
So last year I hiked what I thought was Mount Lamlam; the tallest mountain in the world if you count where it starts... at the bottom of the Mariana Trench. I recently learned from one of the leaders in my hiking group that the summit is not actually Mount Lamlam. Took a look at Google Maps and he certainly was right! The summit was that of Mount Jumullong.
Mount Jumullong is often confused for Mount Lamlam because the main trail marked "Mount Lamlam" takes you directly to Mount Jumullong. The trail to Lamlam's summit is off to the side and has more overgrowth than the main trail, making it easy to mistake as just some random path. I did later find that the trail is marked on Google Maps so if you can't spot it on your own, the internet will show you the way!
When completing the hike last year I remember thinking to myself, "Wow, that was awfully short for being Guam's tallest peak!" My friends leading the way had made the hike before and the trail took us directly to a beautiful scenic summit so I didn't question it. Wasn't until one of the Guam Boonie Stompers, Inc.'s leaders said, "yea, the summit with the crosses... that's not Mount Lamlam". WHAT!? I've been living a lie... I've been claiming that I climbed the tallest mountain! I'm a liar! I'll sure fix that!
Tomorrow's group hike is a long one... 6 hours for 4.5 miles over Mount Schroeder to end in Inarajan.
(Edit: check out my descriptive blog of the Mount Schroeder hike by copying and pasting this address in your browser --- https://www.minds.com/blog/view/809694304206659584 )
I wanted to prepare myself for the hike because I am going to need to carry over 4 quarts of water and am not used to having that much weight in my pack. So I say, what a good idea to practice carrying that weight while finding the true Mount Lamlam! I packed two bladders of water equaling 5 liters, grabbed the pup and we were off on a new adventure!
The initial climb to Lamlam starts off very steep right off the road and then slopes gradually to a moderate incline. The information I could find about Schroeder (there isn't much.. I think because it isn't a very popular trail) kind of stated the opposite... starts off at a slight incline across a sea of sword grass and then gets extremely steep through the jungle. I'm still not sure though because of what little information I could find... I'll sure as hell know by tomorrow! Anyway, I figured Lamlam was a good practice run for Schroeder because most of the hike is in the sun and it at least starts off steep. Only trick was finding the trail!
A lot of overcast that day, so much for conditioning myself for the sun! Anyway, I figured we'd go to Jumullong first because I knew where it was and was hoping to spot the peak of Lamlam from there or even a trail along the way. Sure enough, on our way up to Jumullong, Pepe starts to head up a trail less traveled by that leads away from the main trail. I check it out for a moment, but lead us in the direction of Jumullong anyway because I knew we were super close.
The Stations of the Cross is carried out up the summit every year by the local Catholic community. A majority of the island is Catholic so I imagine that's why the trail to Jumullong is so clear. Such a religious landmark and a fairly easy/moderate hike would attract a lot of visitors. We get to Jumullong, Pepe takes a water break, I take some pictures and back down the trail we go! I did notice some faint trails leading to the southern mountains while taking some shots. I read the description for next week's group hike and it will be down that trail! It's always a good feeling to be familiar with the landscape of an upcoming hike.
So on our way back down, I check out the trail Pepe started to take on the way up. I spot a trail marker and a faint path in the long grass and decide to follow through. The trail was fairly traveled and very well marked through the areas of the jungle we had to pass through so getting lost wasn't a viable option. The hike wasn't terribly long but it sure was much farther than Jumullong! It also wasn't steep until the very end where we had to scale up a bunch of rocks. Pepe couldnt make it over the last bit of rocks and there wasn't enough footing for me to lift him up so I told him to stay on the flat ledge as I headed up. I spotted a Guam flag waving proud in front of an American flag and knew I had made it! Started to get some footage of the amazing view and to my surprise, here comes Pepe! Tail dramatically wagging and the biggest smile on his face. He was so proud of himself and I was proud of him too! He is such an adventurer, that pup! He gets so excited when I start packing my backpack and strapping on my boots because he knows it's adventure time!
On the way back, I did see an extremely overgrown trail leading to another peak nearby that I initially thought we were headed to... I wanted to check it out but since it was my first time there and sunset was upon us, I didn't want to wander off anywhere I could possibly get lost. Pepe navigates pretty well but I didn't want to take any chances since I was the only human around. Later in the day, after doing some reading... I found out that where we climbed to was not the actual summit of Lamlam.... DAMMIT! Hahah, after all that you mean I still haven't climbed the true Mount Lamlam!?! Apparently where we ended, is just where the trail ends. I assume the true Lamlam is the nearby peak I spotted... in the blog I was reading, the hiker attempted to take the overgrown trail to that summit but was too challenging for them to navigate through. Glad I didn't try it but I'd still like to go back with someone soon and attempt it... maybe there will be a Boonie Stomp up there soon! Hope so!
All in all, the climb to Mount Lamlam is moderately easy. If you can do Jumullong, you can do Lamlam. It's just longer and the climb up the rocks at the end can be a challenge for those who don't enjoy climbing. (I do 😊) I'd say gloves are a must for that portion. As for the TRUE Mount Lamlam, I checked out the Guam Boonie Stompers, Inc. page, and Lamlam is on the schedule for next month! Hopefully we will navigate to the true Mount Lamlam! Stay posted.
Also, for a more in-depth look at our adventure to Mount Lamlam, check out the short video below!
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