Argentina

November 6-29, 2009

November 15: Alerces National Park - El Abuelo: Puerto Chucao

From the parking lot we took a short trail to a suspension bridge at Lago Verde. From there we took part of a 1.5 km interpretive hike to get to Puerto Chucao where we would get on the boat.

The interpretive hike was called "El Lahuan Solitario" - Lahuán is the mapuche word for "alerce". The trail had numerous signs for tree identification and also highlighted the interactions between the water, soil, plants and animals. We took the part of the trail that followed along the Río Menéndez which provides vital water for the plants and animals. Transporting minerals and nutrients, the water favours the regeneration of the forest and allows the alerce to grow. In terms of the soil an ochre layer of soil originates from volcanic eruptions. The next layer is the fertile layer of humus. Organic material decompose slowly and the nutrients feed the vegetation of the forest. Finally a network of roots sustains the fragile fertile soils, making sure they are not eroded by winds and rains. Lots of animals in danger of extinction live in the woods of this national park.

In the parking lot, Samantha and Christopher are ready for an adventure.

Heading down the path to the suspension bridge.

Embothrium coccineum - Chilean firebush (notro in Spanish)

The happy wanderers.

The map for the interpretive trail that led to Puerto Chucao where we would get on the boat.

View of the Río Menéndez from the paserela.

There are lots of fish in the water so this is a popular area to fish, and with a great view to boot!

A different view from the paserela to a mountain that looked like it had a bite taken from the top.

Rubby on the paserela.

Looking back across the bridge.

The first part of the circuit along the Río Menéndez to Puerto Chucao is an interpretive hike called "El Lahuan Solitario".

Lots of little birds in the trees.

Samantha at one of the interpretive signs.

This one is about the myrtle tree (Myrceugenella apiculata) - or arrayán in Spanish.

A sign about the mammals of the park. Unfortunately we never did see the elusive huemul or pudú.

The Río Menéndez.

Samantha at a lookout.

Another view from the lookout.

A pretty plant... perhaps Chaura (Pernettya mucronata)??

Michay - Berberis darwinii.

Looking at the coastal trees, we see the familiar cinnamon coloured bark of the myrtle tree. But from the myrtle trunk we also see gray branches growing - a relative of the alerce, this is the cypress. It is a coniferous trees which is able to grow in very poor rocky soils and is therefore often a pioneer in the expansion of the forest.

Samantha at a lookout where the Menéndez lake and river meet.

Coming to Lago Menéndez and we can see Puerto Chacao in the distance on the right.

Christopher points out the sign for Espino Negro (Colletia spinossisima).

"El Lahuan Solitario" - Lahuán is the mapuche word for "alerce" (Fitzroya copressoides) and it means "grandfather".
This tree has a diameter of 62 cm and is approximately 300 years old. [8636]