Historical Tirad Pass in Ilocos Sur Part 2

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TIRAD PASS

Photo from: www.pinoymountaineer.com

After reaching Gregorio del Pilar, we proceeded to Barangay Mabatano (elevation 470m) on a very steep road. This is the jump-off for the hike to the Gregorio del Pilar Shrine (elevation 950m). The hike takes about 2 hours on a well-marked trail. The views along the trail are superb. The shrine consists of a statue of del Pilar on a horse, and several historical markers describing events of the Battle of Tirad Pass where del Pilar and his troops stopped the American forces long enough to enable Aguinaldo to escape to Lepanto, and where del Pilar was killed on 2 December 1899. The shrine is actually not at the Tirad Pass itself which is further up at an elevation of 1312m. Not to be missed is the Sniper’s Knoll, the site where an American sniper shot del Pilar from a distance of about 300 meters. This is indicated by a sign along the trail. Read More: http://www.manilaoldtimer.net/Travels/Tirad.html