Cambios

Access from Santiago to northern trail head of GPT02 very uncomplicated. Metro Linea 4 to Las Mercedes and then taxi collectivo (Cajon de Maipu) for only 2500 CLP per person to Bridge Camino Toyo. Water, Bridge {01} [36.2+0.2/1044] is destroyed. Fording was easy. Water ? {02} [8.7/1298] without water. But a spring about 50 m downstream hidden under vegetation provided clear cold water. A vague trail after crossing the dry river bed leads down to the hidden spring. Variant B is slightly longer but scenic and recommended. Will become Regular Route. Snow started from around 2700 m elevation especially on south facing slopes. We deviated from the regular route in numerous locations to avoid steeper snow fields. Last reliable water is at Puesto Huitriera Casa de Piedra. There a permanent spring is located outside of the buildings. Hikers are welcome to refill and camp. Shortly after Puesto Huitriera Casa de Piedra we left the regular route and descended towards Codegua on a new route since we did not plan to continue with GPT03. This new route is the standard route on which arrieros bring up animals. The regular route on the ridge in 1500 m to 2000 m elevation is generally hot and dry so the descent to Codegua is the more convenient alternative to exit GPT02 when reaching Coya is irrelevant. This exit route will be added to the GPT track files starting from 2026. When reaching the large parking lot at hotel Leonora we hitchhiked out. There are numerous camp spots along most of the route. Water was not an issue in November but in January or February some smaller streams may fall dry. In November carrying micro spikes is strongly recommended. It was an attractive but demanding hike.  Between the start and Puesto Huitriera Casa de Piedra we met only two arrieros. At Puesto Huitriera Casa de Piedra normally arrieros are present.  * '''GPT02 / 06–11–2025 to 12–11–2025 / 6 hiking days / Hiking SOBO / Combined with GPT02 / Route: Variant A – RR – Variant E – Variant H – Variant I – RR / Athena Jones