Argentina
November 6-29, 2009
November 14: Hiking in Alerces National Park: Alerces NP - Cinco Saltos
We decided to tackle the one substantial hike that had been recommended to us first. With a name like "Cinco Saltos" (Five Waterfalls) it sounded promising. We followed the map past the port at Puerto Limonao but must have missed the 
trailhead because suddenly we found ourselves at the Hosteria Futalaufquen - a four star hotel next to Lago Futalaufquen.
We went in to ask for directions and as she was explaining the hike we wanted to do, one of the gentlemen staying at the hotel offered to show us where the path led right behind the hotel. The girl working at the hotel was about to point 
out that parking at the hotel was only for visitors but the gentleman pointed out that the parking lot was pretty much empty and surely it wouldn't be a problem. *grin* The man went to get his jacket and met us out by the car along with his friend who spoke a bit better English (both were visiting from Buenos Aires). The led us to the back of the hotel and brought us right to the path!
The hike itself was great. We started among giant trees and as we hiked upward, the ground was dominated by bamboo-like caña colihue which had us all singing "The Old Bamboo" from the movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The scenery was stunning and the hike finished at the waterfalls with 2 viewing platforms. This was definitely a great introduction to hiking in the Andes!
our (almost 4km) hiking tracks as seen in google earth.
Passing by Puerto Limonao, one of the docking spots for the tour to see El Abuelo.
The Hosteria Futalaufquen - a four star hotel next to Lago Futalaufquen.
Now THAT's a barbecue!
Samantha in a forest of caña colihue.
The Holly-leaved Barberry (Berberis ilicifolia),
otherwise known as the Michay or Techelia, is a sunny addition to Patagonian spring foliage.
A sign showing the map for our hike - Sendero Cinco Saltos. The hike was only about 2 km but with a fairly steep incline.
Samantha in a giant tree.
At 12 hours to complete, the Sendero Lago Krugger was not part of our itinerary today!
"Me ol' bam-boo, me ol' bam-boo, You'd better never bother with me ol' bam-boo."
Pretty flowers along the way.
Samantha taking a little break.
As we climb in elevation the vegetation changes.
Snow-capped mountains in the distance.
Samantha with Lago Futalaufquen in the background.
Pretty coloured leaves.
Gavilea odoratissima - a type of wild orchid.
Samantha admiring the Gavilea odoratissima orchid.
Lathyrus magellanicus - a type of wild pea.
Rubby took this picture of an ant with a golden bum... now there's something for the "cape breton ant colony"! ;-)
Some grasses and flowers.
Trees.
Hmmm, this stuff looks like on the island of "lost"... hope no black smoke comes to get us!
Hiking through a "tunnel" of caña colihue.
A lookout across Lago Futalaufquen.
"Futa" means "big" and "laufquen" means "lake". The lake is 150 m deep with an average temperature of 16 degrees Celcius.
A forest of caña colihue.
Finally we arrive at the first waterfall lookout.
It's hard to get a good grasp of how high the waterfall(s) is/are.
Does this count as Tres of the Cinco Saltos? ;-)
The water looks sparkling and fresh.
Anyone need a shower?
Panoramic of the Cinco Saltos.
Ourisia poeppigii. (aka. lágrima de la virgen (the virgin's tears)). We found these flowers next to almost every waterfall.
Sammy enjoys a snack.
We had a brief discussion on how many of Argentina's wonders Christopher would manage to sleep through.
I guess Christopher overheard us!
A re-energized Samantha heading back down.
Samantha stopping to smell the Lathyrus magellanicus.
A panoramic of Lago Futalaufquen.
next: Alerces National Park - Pinturas Rupestres »
argentina menu: