47 494
ediciones
Cambios
sin resumen de edición
==Season==
==Access==
==Route description==
=== Chorrillos Water. Snupies 1 - 9===
This segment starts in SNUPIE
1, a sector that is fit to park vehicles,
and start walking by the coast, south
Chorrillos gap. From SNUPIE 1, you
have to follow by the only vehicle
road available, that will take you south
until arriving to the interesting
mirador of Tres Olas beach,
corresponding to SNUPIE 2. A well
marked track starts here.
Typical coast fauna of the center
north of Chile may be observed:
Dominican seagull (Larus
dominicanus), the biggest that visits
Chilean coasts. It is white, with black
wings and back, totally white tail,
yellow beak, and a red spot near the
jaw, that makes it easy to recognize
it. Garuma seagull (Larus Modestus)
is the only that nests in the middle of
the desert. It is dark gray, white head
in the summer and pale brown head
in winter, black foot and beak.
Zarapito (Numenius phaeopus)
may be observed in this point and to
the south, along Chorrillos Water
Supply sector. It is easily recognizable
for its curve beak, chestnut colored
plumage in its upper part and white
in the abdomen. This specie comes
from the north hemisphere and is an
outstanding migratory specie during
the South-A merican spring.
There is little and inter-tidal flora,
connected to rocks intermittently
bathed by the waves during high tides.
From SNUPIE 2, heading south,
you will arrive to the first crossing,
where SNUPIE 3 is located. Organism
communities pertaining to the inter-
tidal zone, that is, between high and
low tide, may be observed, such as,
shells (Litorita peruviana) and limpets
(Colisella spp.).
The most characteristic
associated flora is Black Seaweed
(Lessonia trabeculata), which is
essential for marine life for being food
and an excellent humidity keeper. The
main problem faced in this sector is
collection and extraction of the
seaweed, that endangers development
of its related fauna and prevents
natural conformation of the food chain.
Continue from SNUPIE 3,
bordering the coast and pass, few
meters away, by a new small cape
with natural little rock stairs. Do not
do it in times of tide swelling because
you will not be able to cross when
you come back.
Head south bordering the coast
until getting to a second rock crossing.
There you will be in front of SNUPIE
4, where you will observe the inter-
tidal platform and the rocky wall that
surrounds it, made up by metamorphic
rocks from the Triassic, which main
characteristic is that they are very
hard intrusive and black colored rocks.
Be careful when you cross the small
cape from SNUPIE 4, because there
is the possibility of facing a sudden
wave and high water.
In addition to the possibility of
observing Isla Grande to the south
west from SNUPIE 4, this is a marine
bird nesting sector, mostly seagulls.
Red head turkey buzzard also lives
here, which hunting place are the areas
where wolves abound in Isla Grande.
Continue the road from SNUPIE
4 and through the rocky base, next to
the highest tide line, until getting to
Chorrillos Water Supply. It
corresponds to SNUPIE 5, that may
be distinguished by its vegetation and
beautiful panoramic views of fine
sand beaches. In SNUPIE 5, located
at the bottom of the coast outcrop, a
higher rock exposure may be
identified. This water supply, in
addition to be an important natural
site, is one of the last existing in
Atacama region.
Very low salinity water spring
accounts for the existence of ground
water that comes from the cordillera
and drains up to the surface between
metamorphic rock and the
sedimentary formation. This provides
to the sector a unique physiognomy
and ecosystem. It is possible to find
significant azonal vegetation,
hydrophyte or adapted species, such
as, patches of cattails and rushes
(Dystichlis spicata, Juncus balticus).
From SNUPIE 5, follow the
track to the beach. From this point,
you can see the next point heading
south and that corresponds to SNUPIE
6. It is located there in a small terrace
at altitude, at the beginning of
Chorrillos beach gap.
SNUPIE 6 is surrounded by
water supply vegetation. You will see
the beach in all its extent and you will
have the first impressions of Bahía
Inglesa (English Bay) geologic
formation and fluvial deposits of the
nearest gap. Real contrasts of the
Atacamenian coastal landscape.
For the following SNUPIE,
continue walking down to the beach.
Then, you may watch proper fauna
of sand beaches: crustaceae, such as,
phantom crab that form small sand
balls and dig little caves in the beach
to protect themselves from their
predators.
When you get to the end of the
beach, in its south-east end, you will
start climbing to cross a number of
blocks, presenting remains of abrasion
terrace and that are in front of the sea,
with a continental platform.
SNUPIE 7 is located at the
highest point of this crossing, always
by the track and few meters away from
the beach. From here, it is possible to
observe iguanid reptiles, such as,
Chango alligator (Microlophus
atacamensis), which is over 20
centimeter long, with gray skin and
black strips.
Blocks in the inter-tidal zone are
left behind and you arrive, through the
only well marked existing track, to the
south west. Your reference should be
a small cape on a sedimentary
formation, to which you will have to
approach to find a majestic natural
mirador: SNUPIE 8.
From this mirador, you will see
a significant contrast between the inter-
tidal platform, represented by
metamorphic origin blocks, and the
continental sedimentary strata wall,
formed during Pleistocene. Isla
Grande can also be seen, as well as
avifauna that moves from the coast
to the island. We have Yeco
(Phalacrocórax olivaceus), which is
black and has a typical method to
catch fish, plunging into water. You
will also find Black Pilpilén
(Haematopus ater), with a black
plumage, intense red beak and gray
foot, that always travels in couple.
Gradually climbing by the
marked track and taking your left
when you encounter a bifurcation,
you will have to arrive to the next
small cape where SNUPIE 9 is
located in the highest part.
SNUPIE 9 is a spectacular
natural mirador to enjoy a panoramic
view of the first segment: the gap,
the beach and Chorrillos Water
Supply, Isla Grande, the Bahía
Inglesa formation, rocks of the inter-
tidal platform, littoral birds, and
Tinajas and Totoral hill plains.
When you come back, pay
attention not to get away from the
track between SNUPIES 9 and 7, for
being exposed to falls and, you must
not forget to pass between SNUPIES
5 and 3 in high tide hours.
*'''Distance and expected time''': 1,67 kms, 0h. 35m
=== Coasts of the south Morro. Snupies 10 - 15===
The segment called South Morro
Coasts is adequate for those who want
to travel the area riding a bike. It
recovers old vehicle roads that were
used for years by those who extracted
seaweed from knoll coasts, the so-
called huireros (seaweed collectors).
This segment begins in a splendid
natural mirador, corresponding to
SNUPIE 10, from which you can have
a general view of the south sector of
the Knoll, including Chorrillos beach
and Isla Grande to the south. It is a
special place to park vehicles and take
the tour in bicycle. Do not try to
continue in vehicle, because in addition
of not being in good conditions, this
would alter displacement habits of
species, such as, the Guanaco (Lama
guanicoe).
In SNUPIE 10, you will find some
Cactaceae, specially Copao (Eylychnia
saint piana) and you will distinguish
notable differences in geomorphology
of the area, mostly altitude differences
between plains of Tinajas sector and
El Morro (the Knoll), determined by
the presence of a significant tectonic
fault connected to Chorrillos gap,
accompanied to gradual rising processes,
that is, at higher rocky substrate
elevation speeds in El Morro sector,
compared to its surroundings, which
give rise to the same.
From SNUPIE 10, go forward
following the most marked road. Take
south end of the Knoll as reference.
Even though the road is sinuous in its
first part, it becomes softer 300 meters
later and open until the first bifurcation,
allowing to access SNUPIE 11 from
the east. For further reference,
remember that from the same
bifurcation, 1.8 Km from the start of
this segment, downwards road may be
seen clearly, as well as access to
SNUPIE 11 and the rocky promontory
of the coast rocky sector.
In SNUPIE 11 you can see a
beautiful portal, south of the Knoll,
placed in a rock and cliff system. These
rocks, in addition to their beauty, are
the place where many birds nest. We
recommend you to admire the
environment from the point where the
SNUPIE is located and recover strength
to begin walking bound to a bigger and
more beautiful portal.
From SNUPIE 11, walk back by
the same road, and take again the way
that will drive you north. No more than
500 meters away, there is a new
bifurcation that arrives to the rocky
promontory where SNUPIE 12 is
located. From the bifurcation, there is
a constant 1 km way down by an old
rocky road, with steep descents in very
bad conditions. Be very careful if you
are riding down in a bicycle.
Arrival to SNUPIE 12, clearly
notorious and located between the road
and the cliff, in front of North portal of
the Knoll, is part of the cliffs, a sector
shaped by abrasion and erosion of
constant breaking waves, very attractive,
to quietly enjoy the landscape.
Coast rocks falling down to the
sea dominate this SNUPIE, as well as
accumulation of guano, clearly
evidencing the presence of marine birds
and nesting zones. Cormorants, such
as. the Lile (Phalacrocórax gaimardii),
over 60 cm long, gray colored, lighter
gray in the neck and a side white spot
that distinguishes it from the other
cormorants. Flora, in protected rocky
sectors where humidity is better caught,
mostly consists of a variety of Suspiros
(Nolana sedifolia).
Leaving the portal behind, walk
east and come back by the same road,
until getting to the bifurcation through
which you acceded to SNUPIE 12.
There, turn to the left, heading north
about 300 metros of soft and smooth
road, perfect for riding a bicycle. When
you arrive to a third bifurcation, you
will be getting closer to SNUPIE 13.
The take the road of the right side,
continuing by the north-west alternative
road and border a deep gap until getting
to an important site of occupation and
burying of Chango people.
This site is strategically located.
Ancient Chango hunters and collectors
took advantage of the goodness provided
by the bay, and lived on limpets, abalone,
large oysters, picorocos, or
sea urchins. Aware of complexity of
guanaco hunting (Lama guanicoe), the
gap located immediately north could
have been a very adequate place to
ambush them naturally, benefiting thus
from their meat and leather.
In such place, as in many others,
there are illegal excavations aimed at
extracting lithic tools which are sold
by dealers. We recommend you to visit
the site without picking up objects or
digging, respecting thus the
archeological heritage.
Some Cactaceae (of the
Neoporterias specie) may be found
around SNUPIE 12, such as, the so
called chilenitos [little Chileans]
(Neoporteria chilensis), a specie that
is currently endangered.
Walk back from SNUPIE 13 by
the same road, climbing approximately
1 km east until getting to a bifurcation
that will connect you to the main road.
Follow the left side road and head
north by slightly more than 3 Km by
a soft descent road, well marked, and
with wide panoramic views. You have
to arrive to the intersection with the
road that takes you to SNUPIES 14
and 15.
You will find typical vegetation
of the foggy coast desert: a big number
of Cactaceae, succulents, and sparse
thickets. We can mention Hairy
Quisco (Neoporteria villosa), Pink
Cactus (Neoporteria subgibosa),
Saint-pies Copao (Eulychnia saint-
pieana), Acid Copao (Eulychnia
ácida), Hard Cactus (Copiapoa
echinoides), Gray Hedgehog Cactus
(Copiapoa cinerascens), Suspiros
(Nolana sedifolia.) and Cacho de
Cabra (Skythantus acutus).
Take a look at Bolones Beach
in the next intersection of roads,
corresponding to SNUPIE 14,
located one and a half km to the west.
There is there a small bay with a
beach of granitic rocks which exceed,
in average, 20 cm of diameter. This
is a protected sea sector that was
possibly visited, hundreds of years
ago, by ancient hunters and collectors
that wandered in their sea wolf
leather barges, leaving their stone
constructions as an evidence that
survives until today.
In the cliffs, north Bolones
Beach, it is possible to see the
Dominican Seagull (Larus
dominicanus) and Gaviotín Monja
(Larosterna inca), that may be
distinguished by its characteristic
blue grayish color, with red beak and
foot.
If you decide to go back in
bicycle, take the same access road
to this beach and continue the tour
heading east, crossing between north
Knoll and south Knoll by the only
existing cannon that connects the
coast sector to the upper basin of
Chorrillos gap.
After crossing the corridor
between both knolls, there will just
be 4 Km of descent to get to the end
of the segment, precisely in the
intersection with the access road,
both to segment 1 and to the
beginning of segment 2. Always
follow the main road, approaching
east hillsides of Chorrillos gap, to
finally get to SNUPIE 15.
In SNUPIE 15, we can mention
gray colored hilly grounds, made up
by metamorphic rocks that have been
transformed into riprap
by
chemical
decomposition of the
rock. There is also a
spectacular
panoramic view of
Chorrillos gap.
This is the end of
the segment.
*'''Distance and expected time''': 20,10 kms, 3h. 50m
=== Thick low-lying fog of the North Morro. Snupies 16 - 19===
Segment 3 allows to know the
north Knoll area, its particular habitat
determined by camanchaca (thick low-
lying fog), where unique flower species
are found, as well as Guanaco (Lama
guanicoe), and wide panoramic views
of the desert that dominate high
plateaus.
It is a short walk that starts in
SNUPIE 16, where the vehicle road
ends and a track begins that climbs
north Knoll. If you do not have a four-
wheel drive vehicle, we recommend
you to leave it 300 meters before, at
the bottom of the steep rise.
The are where SNUPIE 16 is
located, called saddle, small door, or
water division, has vegetation proper
to fog coast desert: beautiful Cactaceae,
related to small thickets, Pink Cactus
(Neoporteria subgibosa), covered by
reddish and yellow greenish lichens
and mosses.
You may also observe land birds,
such as, the small Chercán (Trogtlodytes
aedon), chestnut-colored, of thin and
curve beak, which is characterized by
its very fast and nervous movements,
or Chincol (Zonotrichia capensis), that
is characterized by its crest and black
strips in the head, and darker chestnut
color.
From SNUPIE 16, you have to
face the hillside directly, taking the only
clear track available. You will start
climbing a zigzag rise, experiencing
the actual ascension to the Knoll.
Few minutes later, following the
track to the west, you will encounter
SNUPIE 17 with a wide panoramic
view of Bahía Inglesa and Caleta
Calderilla.
In this rocky soil sector, favoring
sparse wild life, you will find Copaos
(Eulychnia saint-pieana), Gray
Hedgehog Cactus (Copiapoa
cinerascens), Pink Cactus (Neoporteria
subgibosa) and Sledgehammer Cactus
(Neoporteria clavata), among others.
From SNUPIE 17, leave the track
and take general direction 280º by a
slight rise without track, passing by the
east sector of communications antennas,
from where you can see the same
SNUPIE 17.
A few meters farther, you will find
a small ravine protected from west winds.
There you have SNUPIE 18, where a
series of stone circles are concentrated,
called Dry Stone Walls of the Summit.
These stone walls are a clear
evidence of ancestral occupation of the
Knoll sector, a strategic place for its
wide vision. It was probably used for
defense of communities, or maybe as
a veneration and ritualism site. We
recommend you to generate lower
possible impact when visiting it.
Thickets become increasingly
representative units as we go up, Cacho
de Cabra (Skythantus acutus) and
Cachiyuyo (Atriplex atacamensis) are
the most typical of the area.
Leaving SNUPIE 18 behind, you
will see that an important shell deposit
is located south-west, that may be
distinguished by the pale color of its
calcareous ground. SNUPIE 19 is located
in the middle of two large concentric
circles.
We recommend to head north-west
to approach SNUPIE 19, avoiding the
south-east gap. There is not a main track
here: they are small paths created by
Guanacos (Lama guanicoe) that wander
in high sectors altos of the Knoll. Please
do not get lost, take the shell deposit as
your reference and time to distinguish
the above cited stone circles.
SNUPIE 19 shows geomorphic
history of the sector. The presence of
remains of mollusks and fossils of
different species, evidences that hundreds
of years ago, this place was located in
the bottom of the sea and that it is now
located over 250 masl due to plate
tectonics and rising forces.
In the way from SNUPIE 18 to
SNUPIE 19, you will see Guanaco
footsteps. We suggest you not emit
disturbing noises, and travel in small
groups in order to maximize
possibilities to see them.
Their population is thought to
have been affected when the shell
deposit was used, some years ago, as
a practice firing range by strike aircraft,
in view that it was not inhabited by
people and due to its easy recognition
from the air. This explains why stone
circles and metallic remains are spread.
If you are lucky enough to see
Guanacos, do not try to approach, just
find your best position to take pictures
of them.
*'''Distance and expected time''': 1,10 kms, 0h. 30m
=== Changos Track. Snupies 20 - 27 ===
This alternative is ideal for a
quiet walk by coast terraces of the
north sector of the Knoll and pass
between the cliffs and inclined
hillsides, allowing to reconstruct
ancient paths traveled by Changos.
The segment begins in SNUPIE
20, end of the road and start of the
walk. From here, you will see a
beautiful white sand beach, formed
by small shells and surrounded, in
the highest part, by funny sedimentary
rock structures: they are sculptures
created by aeolic action, permanent
wear caused by the wind through the
time.
From SNUPIE 20, climb by a
marked track and enter the nearest
gap. Have a large rock with letters as
your reference. Less than 200 meters
away, you will face a bifurcation. Take
the road of the right side and go up
by the main track until reaching
SNUPIE 21, that indicates the start
of the walk by coast terraces.
SNUPIE 21 is a natural mirador
that comprises a large portion of Bahía
Inglesa, Calderilla and Caldera.
Follow the main track. Do not forget
that rocky coasts have significant cliffs.
We recommend you not to try any
other alternative.
The track is well marked by plain
terrain, without difficulties, fit for all
kinds of people, and with great
panoramic views. Any attempt to
swim in the sea may be dangerous.
After no more than twenty
minutes, you will find SNUPIE 22 at
the right side of the track, just in the
high part of a small climb. El Morro
Stream" locates there. The vegetation
has a gradual increase and it is possible
to recognize some Succulents, a plant
adapted to dessert conditions which
keep important water reserves in their
tissues, enabling food and hydration
of other living creatures in the trophic
chain, such as rodents, canidae and
guanacos.
The Cacto Rosado (Neoporteria
subgibosa) and Copaos (Eulychnia
saint-pieana) are observed, both
species covered with lichens, making
humidity capture more effective.
From the SNUPIE 22 follow the
track, you will have the opportunity
to admire the amplitude and contrasts
of the landscape surrounding Bahía
Inglesa. At a few meters, you will
reach SNUPIE 23, corresponding to
an interesting cave protected with
huge stone blocks. It is a place of
ancestral occupation with a beautiful
panoramic view of the bay, a shelter
and place for stripping off mollusks,
evident for the appearance of valves,
mainly cupped oysters, limpets and
abalones.
From SNUPIE 23, continue the
direction 150 meters to the unique
existing bifurcation. Take your left
following the main track and
maintaining the conditions of firm, flat
or slightly sloped lands, without
difficulties. You will reach SNUPIE
24, next to a typical stone or dry-stone
wall circle, surrounded by an old large
area of shells. A clear signal there were
hunters and harvesters in the past. The
flora is sparse and composed by almost
only Cactaceae covered with lichens
and moss.
When leaving SNUPIE 23
continue through the main track 200
meters, then, gradually derive to the
South-west. The vegetation is
increasing until reaching the
panoramic rock of the Pacific,
corresponding to SNUPIE 25.
At the west of SNUPIE 25, you
could appreciate a rocky promontory
that, upon climbing will result in
wonderful panoramic views of the
Pacific Ocean in 180º. A unique
opportunity to experience the majesty
of the ocean. If the thick low-lying fog
obstructs the view, you could
appreciate the rich and abundant
vegetation of this dessert sector.
Coastal fogs are most efficiently
trapped in this zone, both for the higher
relative altitude and for they are the
western hillsides of the Morro,
constantly draped with winds full of
humidity. It is possible to recognize
Succulents, represented by Morning-
glories (from the Nolana gender),
attractive and colorful flowers and
thicket associations, mainly Cachiyuyo
(Atriplex atacamensis) and Churco
(Oxalis gigantea).
After leaving the SNUPIE 25,
continue through the track, lands
become more rocky but comfortable
and easy to run. Do not move far from
the inclined hillsides of the Morro. If
for any circumstance you lose the track,
we recommend moving backwards
and undertaking the direction again.
When arriving to the SNUPIE 26,
you will find numerous dry-stone walls
and large sell areas delimiting an
ancestral settlement area. Live
evidences of a glorious past and in full
harmony with the environment of the
populations running free through the
Atacameña coasts.
Beginning the last part of the
segment, consider that 250 meter
ahead, you should cross one of the main
gaps of the Morro. There is a marked
track without any difficulty.
When you arrive to the SNUPIE
27, an old occupation dry-stone wall,
we recommend to look for innumerable
alternatives of natural miradors for a
deserved rest and to enjoy from the
beauty of the coast cliffs with their
abundant species of bird of prey,
seagulls and albatross.
In the surroundings of the SNUPIE
27 you will notice varied forms of granite
rocks, as a result of the aeolian humidity
and erosion. The presence of Copaos
(Eulychnia saint-pieana) and Cacto
Rosado (Neoporteria subgibosa), Chilla
fox (Pseudalopex griseus), Culpeo fox
(Pseudalopex culpaeus) and a wide range
of invertebrates configure a segment
good end.
We recommend to not trying to go
down by the gap located more to the
south since the track is lost and the risk
increases.
*'''Distance and expected time''': 4,43 kms, 1h. 35m
==Recommendations==
{{Topoguide|}}
