Plantilla:Day 2 Lago Verde - Lago Palena (English)

After a pleasant and peaceful night and with renovated energy,the trip continues.The first thing to be done is to leave the shelter back and return to Guide Post Number 11 on the main trail,using the same route used the day before.
Once in Guide Post Number 11,the journey continues on a clearly marked route that penetrates a dense forest and after 1.400 meters of an easy ride on an almost flat and well delimited trail it arrives to Guide Post Number 12, Desvío al Valle Hermoso (Beautiful Valley Detour).At this point the route splits in two.The northeast route heads to a place known as Valle Hermoso. Locals say that this route is a common path for baquianos (mountain cowboys or gauchos) driving their cattle to summer pastures found at the end of this way.This is a normal practice all over the Andes and its objective is to permit permanent pastures to grow Lago Verde-Refugio de Particular / Lago Verde - Mr Julio Soliss Private Shelter Refugio a Laguna del Río Quinto / Private Shelter - Quinto River’s Lagoon and rest for a season before cattle returns.
After admiring the landscape the traveler must follow the northern route at Guide Post Number 12. It crosses the valley’s bottom,heading to Río Quinto. Coigue, Tepa and Mañio renovales are predominant in this area.A couple of wooden bridges built by Sendero de Chile will be crossed at this stage.
Trail conditions are surprisingly good, considering the fact that it stands on a very southern location. Some meters to the North and two remarkably beautiful streams will tempt travelers for a break. After crossing them the route turns slightly to the West and faces a splendorous Rio Quinto.
After a hundred meters the river must be crossed to the North,to find Guide Post Number 13,Cruce Río Quinto (Quinto River’s Crossing).Sendero de Chile’s shelter is found at this site. This shelter is kept in very good conditions, it is ideal as a resting place and during rainy periods,when the river rises considerably it will permit travelers to wait for better crossing conditions.The site presents many MaÒio and Coigue renovales but there are no open areas for grass to develop.The absence of grass to feed horses is determinant when selecting a place as a camp ground, and that is the reason why this place is not recommended in this guide. From this point the route starts climbing on Quinto River’s valley western hillside for approximately one kilometer,and even though the path is well delimited,rainy weather turns it into a very slippery and sticky surface,complicating the ride.There are some very steep slopes, many superficial roots and a good number of rocky creeks to cross, all which adds extra difficulty to this portion of the trail.
After about 1.100 meters the route reaches Guide Post Number 14, named by locals as Campamento Muñeco (Doll Campground).This place corresponds to an old detour used by baquianos to descend to Quinto River shores to give horses and cattle a breather, before continuing their trip to the north. This was the favorite place of a local baquiano who had Doll as a surname.

Although the route is less steep at this point it is not an easy ride, it becomes quite tortuous with mud pools,rocky streams and fallen trees. From time to time the presence of obstacles will force travelers on leaving the trail. Getting lost is not difficult in the middle of the forest, so special care must be taken to ensure not loosing sight of the trail. Around two and a half kilometers to the north is Guide Post Number 15, Arroyo La Pulsera (Bracelet stream). This is a gorgeous formation consistent of a succession of waterfalls flowing slowly into beautiful grey granite pools sculpted on the river’s granite bed. Higher humidity levels promote the existence of massive cane formations,mosses, ferns and a much denser forest,where Mañio is the dominant specie. The surface characteristics remain unchanged for the next couple of kilometers. There are some complicated areas, with increasing mud levels, and many superficial roots that complicate horses’ steps. After the first kilometer, the trail crosses through a clear landslide (rodado in Spanish) traces. It is impressive to see some huge lying trees that where pulled out from the soil with their roots and all, and to see a huge wound on the hillside. Landslides are not rare at these latitudes, especially during winter times. This risk must be taken into account when picking the season to visit the trail.
Guide Post Number 16 will be found after some meters.This point is know as the famous “Bajada del Diablo”(Devil’s down slope),and the reason is quite obvious. This downhill section of the trail presents some steep but not dangerous down slopes.The ride is easy with good weather conditions and even a novice rider would manage to descend without dismounting.However during winter it may present some complications. The trail descends 420 meters in zigzags to the bottom of the valley. Dominant species are Mañio,in both its male and female forms. Differences are not difficult to pick. The first adult Lengas,with 30 or more meters height, will be seen before reaching to the valley’s bottom.
Once the section of La Bajada del Diablo is finished, after 420 meters, the route arrives to an almost magical place.Quinto River is found here fully decorated with gigantic Lengas on a plateau with optimal camping conditions with plenty of water and firewood.There are some mallines or wetlands present to provide horses with grass. This site has been designated as Guide Post Number 17.
To keep on track we must cross Quinto River again.Even though the river looks thinner here, its depth is very variable and it may exceed the tack’s level at some places. Special care must be taken to avoid load getting wet.The trick is to firmly hold the reins and proceed very slowly.The horse must have a good visibility of the bottom rocks at all times. On the other shore canes and ferns are abundant and plenty of streams flow into the river forming large mud pools. The trail fords the river for a good number of meters and then crosses it again to its Western shore. Following the route for a couple of meters on the river’s western shore is Guide Post Number 18.This guide post is named Last Quinto River Cross.
At this site Quinto River must be crossed for the last time on this section,before reaching La Laguna del Rio Quinto (Quinto River’s Lagoon) Special care must be taken with this last crossing due to abundant big rocks found on the bottom of the river, which may destabilize the horses.A slower pace is mandatory and appropriate, because some meters to the north the route turns uphill, demanding horses a bigger effort.
After two kilometers the route winds up and down the hills over a terrain covered with stones coming from “derrubios" (erosion effect on rocky hillsides). The trail changes dramatically 1.8 kilometers before reaching Guide Post Number 19. Time must be taken to enjoy this lovely canter through magnificent mature Lenga forests.
The route reaches Guide Post Number 19, Laguna del Rio Quinto (Quinto River’s lagoon). The lagoon appears in its entire splendor,showing fantastic views in every direction. To the front spectacular sights of this lagoon with the snow capped mountains reflected on its pristine and quiet waters and a beach that seems unreal. To the back the landscape is even more impressive, showing a beautiful example of Chilean rainforest with a huge variety of species. Lenga is dominant, coexisting with Canelilla (Ovidia andina) (very similar to Canelo trees but with a creepy growing habit) and with some ancient Michay bushes showing their round and black fruits.It is not difficult to see some Martin Pescador (Ceryle torquita) standing on a strategic tree branch by the water,spying on some careless fish. Camping at this site is recommended due to its perfect conditions and because after 6 hours of a non easy ride, body, mind and soul may feel some tiredness.