Angat Dam : Stunningly Beautiful

Angat Dam: Stunningly Beautiful

             When one looks at it from the viewing deck, it is the most scenic mountain vista in the whole of Central Luzon. The place offers the most breathtaking view of forested mountains seemingly untouched by man. And the only persons allowed to roam around are the native Dumagats who consider it as their kingdom where they freely hunt wild pigs, deer and birds, and merrily fish in the river tributaries of the mountains. 

           The Angat Dam Watershed Reservation is nestled in the southern part of the vast Sierra Madre Mountain range.  While the dam itself is situated in Norzagaray, Bulacan, the watershed encompasses portions of the towns of Dona Remedios Trinidad and San Jose Del Monte, also in Bulacan.  Total land area is 62,309 hectares. 

            The viewing deck, guest house, motor pool and the houses for the employees are located in an area aptly called Hilltop. Within this area, one can see a school, a basketball court and a playing field.  Near the gate is an office tasked to assist the Dumagats.  Also extending assistance to the indigenous tribe are the Barangay officials of San Lorenzo headed by Brgy. Capt Ben Canlas, Jr. 

             On a clear, windy day, one can see the beauty of nature. It is one moment when one realizes that there are still beautiful places to see and that the world still has many things to offer. From the viewing deck, the visitor sees the lush greens of mountains beyond mountains.  It is really stunningly beautiful.  

             But here's the rub.  Not all can see the place.  As it is a critical area, it being a high risk dam, security is tight.  Not all can enter.  Not at all times.  When alert level is raised, motorists and other unauthorized persons are stopped at the checkpoint right after crossing Bitbit bridge.  Only persons on official business are allowed entry to the dam. The next best thing to do is make arrangements with Hilltop authorities. Or with the Barangay officials of Brgy. San Lorenzo. There is no harm in trying. And do it now.

- Konted

Note:

Angat Dam is now open to the public.  You pay P25 per person at the main gate.

See related article:

Gonyong, Ipo Dam and Papa

Angat Dam and the Watershed  Reservation in Norzagaray, Bulacan

Angat Dam is teeming with fish.

Angat Dam supplies hydroelectric power to the Luzon Grid.

The mountains-beyond-mountains scene from the viewing deck.  The thickly  forested mountains within the Watershed are regularly patrolled by Forest Rangers.

Allen feels he is on top of the world.

The beauty of the place is beyond words.

A big bird glides and sways  above the dam. A preferred activity is bird watching  early in the morning.

Paolo really has no reservations.

Paolo gestures while standing at the viewing deck. He tells the group:  What more can you ask for? 

Albert Gener regularly visits Angat Dam.

Albert says:  I can stay here forever !!

Kira at the Guesthouse

Group picture-taking at the Guesthouse

The Sierra Madre is home to the Dumagats. There is an office within the Hilltop compound which looks after the well-being of the Dumagats.  (G File)

Arrangements can be made with the Dumagats for your supply of Tilapias.

Angat Dam is  part of Brgy. San Lorenzo in Norzagaray, Bulacan.  Its territorial jurisdiction starts at the middle of Bitbit bridge. Its neighboring barangay is Brgy San Mateo where Ipo Dam is located.

View of Sitio Bitbit from Bitbit Bridge.

Waiting for the other car at Bitbit Bridge en route to Angat Dam

2nd car arrives at rendezvous point.

Part of Sitio Bitbit where Angat Dam has a water outlet

Angat Dam is managed by Napocor.

The first checkpoint right after Bitbit Bridge

By the banks of the river in Sitio Bitbit

Sitio Bitbit is a favorite picnic ground.  One side is part of Brgy San Lorenzo and the other side is part of Brgy San Mateo.

The boulder at Sitio Bitbit which is the jump-off point of swimmers

View of Ipo Dam from the road leading to Angat Dam.  Both dams are parts of a big water system. Angat Dam is the mother dam while Ipo Dam is the baby dam.

The southernmost part of Angat Dam Watershed near the mountains of Montalban

View of Angat Dam Watershed from Sitio Ipo

Fresh buko juice to quench our thirst

Wild sunflowers are a common sight on the way to Angat Dam.

Several kilometers away from the Dam 

Angat Watershed Reservation can be viewed from this place.

Picking Duhat 

Pitching tent at night

The red light at Hilltop can be seen here at night.

Allen's talking Mynah

Halo Halo at the barrio on the way back to Manila

There are stores selling gasoline in bottles.  There are no gasoline stations in the mountainous parts of Norzagaray.  Angat Dam is about 50 kms.from Metro Manila and can be reached via the Fairview-Lagro-San Jose Del Monte-Bigte route.

Yellow bells