Argentina

November 6-29, 2009

November 14: Hiking in Alerces National Park: Esquel and the drive to Alerces National Park

This morning we got up and before doing anything we decided to find a tour operator where we could reserve our ticket for the boat ride to see Abuelo (a famous tree) for the next day. For the rest of the day we decided to check out Alerces National Park to hopefully find a couple of small hikes. The weather forecast had called for rain but it seemed to be holding off.

When we got to the guardaparque everything still seemed closed for the season and we didn't have to pay an entrance fee. We did manage to find someone at the intendencia in Villa Futalaufquen (the office where trekkers are supposed to check in before heading out). The lady there was very nice and helpful and she marked several small hikes that we could do with the kids. Unfortunately it seems that around here you either are a trekker doing multi-day hikes, or a stroller who enjoys driving and stopping for scenic lookout or a 15 minute stroll to a viewpoint... there's not much in between!

Some of the larger cabanas.

This was our smaller cabana.

Passing a horse and buggy on our way out of town.

Heading to the park.

It's a cloudy day and the forecast called for rain... hopefully the weather will cooperate!

Dirt roads and horseback riders... getting closer to the park.

The clouds aren't looking good!

the parc "logo"

Beautiful scenery.

A monkey puzzle tree at the entrance of the National Park... hmmmm, they should have had an alerce tree instead!

First cemetery of the El Maitenal parish. Many of the first settlers of this area were buried here between 1900 and 1942.

Theristicus caudatus. Buff-necked ibises (bandurrias) who amble around in small bands,
honking as they probe wetland pastures with their curved bills.