Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey takes me out of Pucon heading north eastward into the secluded Parque Nacional Huerquehue. There I follow a track steeply rising next to a succession of waterfalls to a hanging valley of still lakes surrounded by a forest of monkey puzzle trees. After exploring the lakes, I return down the mountain and back to Pucon.
Today's Journey
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Departing Pucon at sunrise heading through the misty valleys north eastward towards the mountains and lakes to the northernmost area of Patagonia. |
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Upon reaching Huerquehue National Park, we set off along one of the remote tracks to explore some of the old glacial lakes. |
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View of Lago Tinquilco about half an hour after starting. The trail runs roughly level with the lake, but will soon be ascending. |
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At the end of the lake, the track passes through spectacular beech forest before climbing steeply past a succession of small waterfalls. |
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Most of the way up the track I have another view of Lago Tinquilco with the magnificent Volcan Villarrica in the distance. |
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Reaching the top of the hill, the stream of waterfalls becomes placid draining the little Lago Chico a short distance ahead in the valley. |
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Continuing further upstream over a small saddle, the track descends into the mirror smooth Lago Verde surrounded by mysterious monkey puzzle trees. The trunk of one fallen tree sticks out weirdly like the backbone of a giant aquatic reptile. |
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After a well deserved lunch break at the edge of Lago Verde, I continue the short circuit reaching Lago el Toro which is visible beyond the reeds. Some spectacular monkey puzzle trees grow here in this peaceful setting. |
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From the lakes I start the long descent through the rough track back down the mountain to the park headquarters. It is a challenging descent and I'm relieved when I do eventually reach the bottom having completed my final hike in Patagonia. |
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Returning to Pucon as the sun sets with fiery clouds above the town. |
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