Kennon Road Going to Baguio

There are three roads to go to Baguio. Coming from Manila by car, the shorter and more scenic route is via Kennon Road. The second option is via Marcos Highway, but this is longer, about 20 kilomters farther. The third is via Naguilian Road, for vehicles coming from Ilocos. Kennon Road is narrower compared to Marcos highway. Thus, only cars and vans are allowed to use it. Buses and big trucks take Marcos highway.

I took this photo on our ascent to Baguio last May 16, 2014. Beautiful waterfalls. During the rainy season and "ber" months, the water should be huge and strong.

This and succeeding photos I took on our descent last May 18, 2014. I was driving at a relaxing speed, I just signed the cars following me to go ahead and overtake when there are no on-coming vehicles on the other lane.

Big trees, wide forested area. But this is the dipterocarp forest area, lower than Baguio, which has pine forest.

In the mid to late 90s, when I was an active road cyclist, me and some friends at our Neopolitan Cycling Club in Fairview, QC, would go up to Baguio to watch the Marlboro Tour stages in Baguio, and the lap on Kennon Road is always the most punishing for the riders.

Most part of Kennon road now has a shoulder, meaning wider road. But there are still portions that are narrow and undergoing re-blocking and repairs.

Many hills and mountains, mostly well-forested.

If one is not rushing to go back to Manila, I advice that drivers would descend slow, stop at some areas and take photos, enjoy the clean air.

This river has little or no water on its bed. But when the rainy season comes, this river can be rampaging with huge volume of flash flood.

Beautiful Baguio, beautiful Kennon road.
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See also:
Baguio-La Union, December 24, 2004
North Philippines, Feb. 2002 (part 2), November 20, 2005
Sagada-Banaue, December 23, 2005
Elle and Bien at Camp John Hay, Baguio City, June 29, 2014