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ENG:Lago Palena

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~~{{Draft}}~~[[ES:Lago Palena]]{{~~Trekking Chile~~Indexed}}

{{RutaForme

|Actividad=Trekking

|País=Chile (english)

|CiudadesChile=Chaitén

|BellezaEscenica=Mediana

|Atractivos=Bosque, Lago

|Duracion=1 día y medio

Algo Exigente

|Sendero=Siempre Claro

|Señalizacion=Inexistente

|Infraestructura=Inexistente

|Latitud1=-43.618048

|Longitud1=-71.830597

|Distancia=67400

|MetrosAscenso=1893

|MetrosDescenso=948

|Comentarios distancia=

|AltitudMedia=555

|Primer Autor=Rutas Patrimoniales

|Imágen Principal=Lago Palena, Rutas Patrimoniales 3.jpg

|ComentariosImagen=Lago Palena

|KMLZ=Lago Palena Wikiexlora (RP).kmz

|ComentariosMapa=Trekking Lago Palena

|ComparteIdayRetorno=Ida y Retorno por la misma ruta

|TipoDeMap=HYBRID

}}

==General Description==

The Heritage Trail Patagonian Andes - Lake Palena, located in one of the most

isolated and topographically complex geographical areas in Chile, represents a

unique opportunity for lovers of long-range horseback excursions to retrace the

paths traveled by the pioneer settlers of yesteryear in their incursions up the inland

valleys of the El Tigre and El Azul Rivers.

This route combines views of exceptional landscape, environmental education,

observations of native flora, visits to places occupied in the past and the discovery

of one of the most beautiful areas of the Patagonian region of Chile: Lake Palena

and the surrounding mountains covered with placid deciduous forests made up

primarily of lenga trees (Nothofagus pumilio).

[[File:Lago_Palena,_Rutas Patrimoniales 1.jpg|right]]

This trail covers 33 kilometers that can be traveled by horseback to gain access

to the Lago Palena National Nature Reserve, a little explored wildlife area that because

of its beauty and pristine state is representative of how the landscape was in all of

these inland valleys in the recent past. Without a doubt, those who visit this interesting

route will have reason to meditate about our role throughout history concerning

our exploitation of natural resources and its effect on the landscape.

==Location==

The Patagonian Andes

Lake Palena Heritage Trail runs

through a large part of the valleys

of the El Tigre and El Azul Rivers

until reaching little-known Lake

Palena located to the south. The

trail stars at only 7.8 kilometers

south of the town plaza of the

town of Palena in the Municipal

District of Palena, situated at the

southwestern end of Chile Region

10 (the Los Lagos Region). On the

east, the area covered by the trail

bounds with the mountains of the

rich California valley, and on the

west with an exuberant cordillera

of snowcapped mountains that

separates this area from the El

Tranquilo River.

==Season==

Best visited during the months of december to march. The shortness of the season is due to the ammount of snow in the hight parts of the treks (third segment).

==Access==

~~===By car===~~Accessing the trail from the northis made by taking the way out ofthe town to the south fromPalena, starting from the townplaza and traveling over Hurtadode Mendoza and Luis MarchantStreets, then continuing onwardalong the motor vehicle road ingood condition that runs towardthe town of El Tigre. At kilometer3 on this road, take the road to thesouth that runs parallel to the ElTigre River, turning off at aninformation sign that has generalinformation on the route. Go onanother 3 kilometers until youreach the end of the motor roadat a point next to a stream where[[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_1,2,3|Guidepost 1]] is located to mark thestart of this heritage trail.

===Public transport===

(PENDANT)

==Trail markings==

The trail, which is divided into

three separate sections, has 35

georeferenced guideposts to facilitate

the orientation and understanding of

visitors. The guidepost signs are placed

on posts of coihue, ñire and lenga

wood 1.5 meters high posted alongside

the trail.

The distance between guideposts

is variable, depending on the thematic

characteristics featured at each point

of interest, the necessary directions to

be given along the way, and fords to

cross over the river. In any event,

distances between any two guideposts

are never more than 2 kilometers.

Additionally, 26 trail markers are used

as an aid to indicate the path to take

from [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_29,30,31|Guidepost 30]] onward in forested

areas that have restricted line-of-sight

visibility.

==Route description==

[[File:Lago Palena, Rutas Patrimoniales 2.jpg|thumb|right]]

This heritage route starts just

south of the town of Palena, located at

the south end of the Province of Palena.

The north-south trending

landforms of the area traveled by this

route feature the valleys of the El Tigre

and El Azul Rivers. The route is divided

into three sections:

Section 1 starts at the existing end

of the motor vehicle road that is to link

Palena with the settled locality of El

Azul in the future and is to end at that

locality.

This section covers a distance of

approximately 10 kilometers on a

clearly distinct and marked trail with

10 guidepost of interest located along

the way.These guideposts are primarily

located at sites that feature exceptional

views of the landscape, observations

of native flora (such as notro and radal

trees and regrowth stands of coihue

trees) and views of the typical buildings

inhabited by those who make these

isolated valleys their permanent home.

Also provided is a chance to have a

sobering look at the effects caused by

wildfires set in the past.

This is an ideal trail section to be

traveled on foot on a one-day

excursion or a half-days journey on

horseback.

Section 2 extends onward from

[[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_7,8,9,10|Guidepost 10]], located at the first

crossing over the El Azul River, until

reaching an old campsite formerly

used by drovers of cattle in what was

locally called veranadas, or summer

grazing season, driving their herds

upland from the low lying portions of

the valley every year.

This section is approximately 14

kilometers long and runs over a clearly

distinct and marked trail that has 15

guideposts of interest. The route in this

section travels on and off along the

eastern and western banks of the El

Azul River. This requires crossing the

mainstream six times along the way,

an extraordinary experience that takes

us back to the days of those who

explored these valleys for the very first

time on long treks on horseback in the

middle of the Twentieth Century.

It is to be noted that this second

section of the trail is where you can also

begin to see the snow covered upland

cordilleras of the Andes Mountainsrising up to more than 2000 meters

above sea level (m a.s.l.). You can also

view the first specimens of ñire and

lenga, both species belonging to the

Fagaceae, or beech family of trees,

primary representatives of the

temperate forests of deciduous trees

(trees that shed their leaves each

winter) that are so characteristic of

these far southern latitudes of the

Southern Hemisphere.

This is an ideal section to be

traveled in leisurely fashion on

horseback, giving yourself time to take

the traditional siestada, or midday

rest break and lunch (see below under

Section 3), and numerous photographs

of the surroundings.

Section 3, the final section of this

trail, extends from [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_23,24,25|Guidepost 25]]

onward until you reach the lakeshores

of Lake Palena. It includes 10

guideposts of interest featuring

primarily overlooks that afford

panoramic views and observations of

the native flora that inhabit the

Andean upland forests.

This section runs over

approximately 9 kilometers of traces

that are not always sufficiently well

marked or visible because of the few

travelers that take this way. We

recommend you travel this section by

horseback only due to the extenuating

effort required to climb the upgrade in

this section.

This ascent takes you across a

mountain chain at elevations of more

than 1300 m a.s.l. separating Lake

Palena from the upper watershed of

the El Azul River.

===Segment 1===

'''Ascent of the Tigre valley'''

*Distance: 10 km.

*Walking Time: 3 hours.

*Season: Year round

''Horseback ride or walk through meadows on upper river terraces with regrowth stands of radal, coihue and notro trees on the eastern slopes of the El Tigre River valley. Also featured are views of homestead sites occupied in the past, observation opportunities for typical settlers buildings and native flora, and natural overlooks with vistas of the main valley and surrounding mountains.''

''Route traveling over a distinctly visible trail on a traveled way broader than 2 meters on firm, flat, gently sloping ground, interspersed with short upgrades sloping more than 30º. Section 1 is suitable for travel on horseback, or, if walked on foot, by traveling light without carrying any extra load.''

[[File:Lago Palena, Rutas Patrimoniales Dia1.jpg|thumb]]

[[File:Lago Palena, Rutas Patrimoniales Dia1,b.jpg|350px|thumb]]

Section 1 of the trail starts at the

south end of the motor vehicle road

beside the beautiful, torrential

streamflow of the El Tigre River. The

path to follow on this section is

distinctly visible because it is frequently

traveled by persons and livestock,

which leaves no doubt about the path

to follow. In general, the route you are

about to travel runs on a southerly

bearing, with short upgrades here and

there as you make your way upstream

along the steep banks of the El Tigre

River, a factor to be considered for those

who wish to travel this section on foot.

Remember, the typical travel times

are calculated for those who travel on

horseback.

Starting at [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_1,2,3|Guidepost 1]], follow

the broad, clearly distinguishable trail

for around 250 meters south until you

reach a fork in the trail. Take the left

fork. Keep in mind that the next 700

meters of travel are all uphill to climb

up one of the side valleys on the eastern

side of the river valley. In this area you

will be continually surrounded by

growths of radal and notro trees, quila

undergrowth and coihue saplings. The

trail here runs along a gradual ascent

and moves away from the El Tigre River,

but with partial vistas of the river at

certain points. After you reach the top,

you will enter a woods of coihue

(Nothofagus dombeyi) trees

associated with a stream, and thus you

will soon hear the gurgling sound of

flowing water. You are now at the

location of [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_1,2,3|Guidepost 2]], named

Estero de los Coihues (Coihue Stream).

This is an ideal spot to have a good look

at this interesting species of tree,

accompanied by ferns belonging to the

Blechnaceae family, locally called

peinetilla.

The coihue is a tree that is

endemic to sub-Antarctic forests and

requires soil having considerable

moisture content for its development.

This is a tree with dense, stratified

foliage made up of persistent leaves

with serrate edges. It grows as tall as 40

meters high, and its wood is resistant

to rot, making it good for use as

building material.

After [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_1,2,3|Guidepost 2]] you will go

downhill and cross a creek. Continue

onward until you reach a farm gate just

after crossing another small stream. Go

through the gate, and do not forget to

leave the gate in the same position you

found it, either open or closed, before

moving on. It is important for you to do

the same each time you come to a gate

along the way.

Stay on the main trail and skirt

the west side of an old pioneer settler

dwelling site as you continue on. This

is an interesting area of rolling relief

features covered by a beautiful mature

forest.The land features are reminiscent

of lateral moraine deposits left by

glaciers of time past, which shaped

landforms through the action of their

large masses of glacial ice.

In less than 10 minutes travel you

will arrive at an open valley in which

you will see a second farm gate, which

is located nearby [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_1,2,3|Guidepost 3]]. This is

an ideal site to observe one of the most

abundant species in the area: the musk

rose (Rosa moschata - locally known

as rosa mosqueta).

The rosa mosqueta is a denizen

species that can be found on disturbed

land and along the wayside of roads

and paths from Region 5 in central

Chile on down to Region 12 at the

southern tip of the country. It is a

deciduous shrub that grows as tall as

2.5 meters. It has pink flowers and

orange colored rose hips that ripen in

autumn. These rose hips are used to

make jellies and jams and to extract

medicinal oil.

Following the trail onward past

[[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_1,2,3|Guidepost 3]], you will start out on a

long stretch through open meadows

interspersed with abandoned logs of

coihue trees felled by loggers, which

remain as a mute memorial to the time

when this area was covered by dense

forests. At the southern end of this

meadow you will find [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_4,5,6|Guidepost 4]] on

flat ground a short distance away from

the east bank of the El Tigre River. This

is a very good site for those who wish

to go down to the mainstream of the

river and admire the beauty of its

transparent water flowing down the

valley. Having a look at the river will

also provide you a short rest break

before you continue on along the trail.

After [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_4,5,6|Guidepost 4]] you will come

to an upgrade of 250 meters in length

that will take you up to the upper river

terrace. This latter area features open

meadows over a length of 1 kilometer

aligned in a north-south direction that

have abundant felled logs lying about.

This terrace is approximately 40 meters

higher than the present level of the

mainstream of the river. Once you are

on the terrace you will be able to see

the following guidepost in the distance,

off to the left of a large white rock in

front of you.

[[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_4,5,6|Guidepost 5]], emplaced on a

small elevation, is at a representative

location to show how important it is to

practice sustainable soil management

if forests are removed. It is to be noted

that the low amounts of organic matter

and nutrients in these soils of volcanic

origin, combined with the fact that they

have been overgrazed by extensive

livestock raising, now make it necessary

to carry out clearing and upgrading

programs to remediate these soils.

Before continuing on along

your way, take a moment to

locate the following

guidepost, which

can be seen off to the southeast. After

a few minutes travel you will come to

a farm gate. Go through the gate, and

after you are on the other side have a

look at a beautiful settlement on the

banks of the El Tigre River off to the

west.

From this point on you will go

uphill continually through land with

regrowth of radal and notro trees, with

possibilities to see a berry bush locally

called murtilla in the lowest canopy of

the woods. After going uphill by no

more than 50 meters in elevation you

will arrive at [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_4,5,6|Guidepost 6]], at a locality

called Cuesta La Greda (Clay

Upgrade), named for the fine-grained

grayish materials originated from

volcanic ash that make up these soils.

To be seen at this location are

vistas of the El Tigre River and radal

trees, which along with the coihue is

one of the most abundant species in

these valleys.

The radal (Lomatia hirsuta) is a

perennial tree that can grow as tall as

15 meters high. Tree trunks have thin,

grayish bark. The leaves are large and

oval shaped and bear numerous

bunches of cream-colored flowers.

Radal wood is much appreciated for

use in furniture making, and the bark

of the radal is used to obtain brown

dye. Radal leaves are used in medicinal

baths to assuage pains in the joints. At

present, the major fuelwood supplied

in Palena is radal wood due to its high

heating value. Finally, be particularly

careful not to light fires anywhere along

unpopulated portions of the route.

You will need to continue on past

[[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_4,5,6|Guidepost 6]] for approximately

another 10 minutes over open, elevated

ground throughout all of this clearly

apparent stretch of trail until you see

the following guidepost in the distance.

You will cross four small streams along

the way, where you can replenish your

water supply. On your right you can see

what are locally called puestos viejos,

a term used to denote old homestead

sites that today often have nothing

more to show for themselves than a

few lingering fruit trees. Shortly

thereafter you will travel over a small

upgrade until you reach the locality of

Cruce de los Riscos (Cliff Crossing)

where you will find a farm gate and

[[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_7,8,9,10|Guidepost 7]]. It is important in this area

not to stray from the main trail because

the El Tigre runs through a large

canyon, and so areas lying off the

established path can be dangerous.

Once you have resumed your journey

past [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_7,8,9,10|Guidepost 7]], you will continue

climbing uphill on a rocky trail running

between rocky hillsides on either side

and regrowth stands of the same

species of trees as you have seen before

along the way. After traveling around

800 meters from the last guidepost you

will reach the top of the upgrade, where

you will have one of the first panoramic

vistas of the El Azul River valley. In less

than 10 minutes travel you will finally

arrive at one of the most interesting

overlooks on this route, which is the

place where [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_7,8,9,10|Guidepost 8]] is located.

At this overlook you can see the El

Azul River where it meets the El Tigre

River, which has its headwaters in the

valleys that extend eastward to the

Argentinean border.

It is important to note that the El

Azul River valley was not explored until

the 1940s, a time when it was

completely covered with lush mature

forests of coihue, ñire and lenga trees.

Early explorers entered the area by

moving up the banks of the El Tigre

River. A few years later, wildfires were

set to clear land for use for livestock

grazing. The thinking at the time was

that this was good for furthering the

process of bringing in settlers to this

part of Chile.

Complete families moved in

shortly thereafter, and an airstrip was

even built for connection by air. This

was the heyday of livestock raising in

the area, a period which was to last for

no more than 40 years.

After [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_7,8,9,10|Guidepost 8]] you will start

down a downgrade named Cuesta

Caracoles. Take your time and move

carefully when descending this

downgrade because the trail is very

steep and rocky in certain parts. At the

end of this downgrade you will come

to a farm gate on the way to a

footbridge over the El Tigre River, where

you will find [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_7,8,9,10|Guidepost 9]].

[[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_7,8,9,10|Guidepost 9]] is an interesting

point to take pictures of the El Tigre

River, the confluence with the El Azul

River and the footbridge over the river.

A pioneer explorer of these parts more

than 50 years ago, José Casanova, axe

in hand, was the first to build a

footbridge on this site. A veritable

historic heritage item along the rivers

of the far south of Chile, footbridges

such as these were the only existing

links to communicate Palena with Lago

Verde Lake (Region 11) through the

rugged country on the Chilean side of

the international border with

Argentina.

After leaving this beautiful footbridge,

resume your journey along the trail on

a descent of another 250 meters until

you reach the lower level of the El Azul

River valley. From there, continue

onward another 600

meters along a clearly

visible trail

until you reach a fork in the trail. Take

the right fork and go on along a less

distinctly visible trail until you pass by

a small stream and a pioneer settler

dwelling and finally reach the El Azul

River, where [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_7,8,9,10|Guidepost 10]] and the

end of Section 1 of the trail are located.

Those who have made the first part of

this trek on foot should keep in mind

that the El Azul River is not safe to cross

on foot at this point. If you want to

continue on any further beyond this

point you will definitely need to have

horses to ride on.

===Segment 2===

'''Fording the Azul river'''

*Distance: 13,64 km.

*Walking Time: 4 hours.

*Season: Oct-Abr

''Horseback ride through meadows on lower river terraces with regrowth stands of radal, coihue, ñire and lenga trees in the background in the valley of the El Azul River. Views of homestead sites occupied in times past, observation opportunities for native flora, and natural overlooks in the upper watershed of the El Azul River.''

''Route follows a distinct, marked trail on flat ground that at certain points is washed over when running over streambeds. Suitable for use only by persons on horseback who have at least a minimum amount of experience in lengthy mounted excursions over land with river crossings.''

[[File:Lago Palena, Rutas Patrimoniales Dia2.jpg|thumb]]

[[File:Lago Palena, Rutas Patrimoniales Dia2,b.jpg|thumb]]

[[File:Lago Palena, Rutas Patrimoniales Dia2,c.jpg|450px|thumb]]

Starting out from [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_7,8,9,10|Guidepost 10]],

cross the river a few meters

downstream from this guidepost by

moving on a generally southerly

bearing. Face the current (upstream)

and move diagonally against the

current as you ford the river. Seek out

the shallowest parts (locally named

vados de río) as you cross, and keep

your gaze high enough so you can

keep in sight the point on opposite

bank where you want to arrive. Fording

like this is locally called vadear el río.

This technique is generally applicable

for fording rivers such as these, which

sometimes have currents that can even

take experienced scouts or gauchos

by surprise. If you are not traveling with

local guides, enquire beforehand with

well informed persons about the

streamflow and water stage conditions

on the river because at times of heavy

rainfall or thaws that generate large

amounts of meltwater runoff, the El

Azul River can turn hazardous and

impossible to cross, even on horseback.

This can be particularly so in the

afternoon.

After you arrive on the south bank

of the El Azul River, follow the edge of

the river upstream using the main trail

all along the way until you reach the

community center building (sede

comunitaria) of the village of El Azul,

where [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_11,12,13|Guidepost 11]] is located. At this

point, radio communications with

Palena are available on radio

equipment operated by the

inhabitants of the village themselves

for use in case of emergency.

After passing [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_11,12,13|Guidepost 11]],

continue onward along the main trail

running parallel to the El Azul River.

After a short way you will see on your

right one of the first houses built in this

valley. You will note that the old-time

pioneers always wound up building

their houses on the upper terraces of

valleys to stay high and dry in case of

flooding on these rivers.

Continuing on along the western

bank of the main river you will come

to a fork in the trail. Take the left fork,

and a few meters ahead you will see

[[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_11,12,13|Guidepost 12]], located at the

second ford over the El Azul River.

Observe the same precautions and

recommendations given above for the

first river crossing.

After you have reached the

eastern bank of the river, resume a

southerly bearing along the clearly

distinguishable trail, which runs

between a fence and the mainstream

of the river, until you arrive at

[[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_11,12,13|Guidepost 13]], located at the site of an

alternate river ford where you can cross

over the other side to go to a family

dwelling that offers lodging if you want

to stay the night. For those who want

to go to this family inn, we recommend,

however, that instead of crossing the

river you continue on upstream from

[[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_11,12,13|Guidepost 12]] on that same side of the

river for somewhat less than 1

kilometer from that guidepost until

you run across this picturesque lodging

house.

When you continue your journey

onward from [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_11,12,13|Guidepost 13]], follow the

valley for a short distance along the

river across flat ground of an open

meadow that has stony parts left from

old riverbeds until you finally reach

[[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_14,15,16|Guidepost 14]] near a farm gate. This

location is called Rincón de la Cabaña

(Cabin Corner) due to the existence of

a cabin on the south end of this broad

expanse of flat ground. This is a place

where you will need to take care to

ensure that you stay on the right path.

After you go through the farm

gate, travel onward by taking the path

that leads to the right and runs parallel

to the fence, where you will soon find

a small woods of tall coihue trees a few

meters west of this cabin at a place

where you will once again be facing

the main river. There you will find

[[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_14,15,16|Guidepost 15]], which is the start of a

part of the trail that runs along the

eastern bank of the El Azul River

without having to cross the river. A

noteworthy point to be mentioned

about this location is the large poplar

trees and fruit trees standing on the

opposite side of the river, signs of it

being the site of a family homestead

in the past. This is the reason why this

place is locally called Puesto Viejo (Old

Homestead Site).

After [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_14,15,16|Guidepost 15]], follow

alongside the river and pass by a

wooden fence inside a beautiful

woods. On the other side you will find

a meadow with felled tree logs until

you reach [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_14,15,16|Guidepost 16]] shortly

thereafter. Looking south from this

guidepost you can see a large house

of local settlers. At this point you can

see how the regrowth stands of coihue

trees on the opposite hillsides have

reestablished themselves vigorously in

the period after the large forest fires

that raged in the past.

At [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_14,15,16|Guidepost 16]] the trail forks.

Take the right fork and follow the trace

that runs between the fence and the

river over land dominated by growths

of shrubs such as chaura, murtilla and

michay, with dispersed stands of young

notro, radal and coihue trees. On the

far south side of the end of the valley

you will find [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_17,18,19|Guidepost 17]], where you

can see the first specimens of lenga

(Nothofagus pumilio) trees along the

way.

The lenga is a symbolic tree of

sub-Antarctic forests, growing from

Andean cordillera portions of the

Maule region (Chile Region 7) until the

seashores of Tierra del Fuego Island. It

is a deciduous tree that grows to as tall

as 30 meters with a trunk measuring

more than 1 meter in diameter at

breast height. This tree can withstand

snowstorms, heavy winds and

extremely cold frosting, which makes

it the unique representative tree at

locations near the timberline in the

Andes at these far southern latitudes.

Lenga wood is of very good quality,

especially for use in building and

furniture making.

After you leave [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_17,18,19|Guidepost 17]]

behind you will start out on a gentle

upgrade for around 100 meters and

enter an area of abundant regrowth

stands of radal trees. You will need to

be careful about staying on the right

path in this area because at certain

points you could lose your way if you

are not careful: you will need to travel

on a generally southeast bearing until

you reach a fork in the trail. Take the

left fork, which will lead you over a new

trail running uphill that was made to

skirt around rocky areas. Once you

reach the highest part of the trail you

will see the following guidepost, with

only 400 meters remaining at that

point to reach it. [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_17,18,19|Guidepost 18]] is

named Bardas Blancas (White Bluffs)

for the numerous grayish rock cliffs

located on both sides of the valley. This

is an ideal spot to gaze at the beautiful

virgin forests of coihue and lenga trees

in the southwestern sub-basins of the

El Azul River.

After you pass [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_17,18,19|Guidepost 18]],

continue onward for somewhat more

than 100 meters until you reach a new

fork in the trail. Take the left fork, which

will shortly lead you along the edge of

a small lake. Continuing onward on

the main trail you will have a few vistas

of the river as you go downslope until

you once again reach the banks of the

main river after a few minutes. Keep

traveling on a southerly bearing

through a broad expanse of flat

ground with a dense cover of notro

trees until you reach the north bank of

the river. This is the location of

[[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_17,18,19|Guidepost 19]], which marks the way

for the third crossing over the El Azul

River.

If you look closely at the opposite

bank of the river directly south of where

you are standing you may be able to

spot [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_20,21,22|Guidepost 20]], located at a place

called Puesto El Manzano, the site of

an old cabin that has fallen in with the

passage of time at a place beside a

willow tree and woods of lenga trees.

After leaving [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_20,21,22|Guidepost 20]] you

will need to continue following the

edge of the river upstream for

somewhat more than 100 meters and

then ascend to the high part of the

hillside. After you continue onward on

the main trail for a few minutes more

you will soon start out on a gently

descending portion that will take you

to a small valley by skirting around the

rocky hillsides that you will see on your

right side. Continue onward until you

reach [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_20,21,22|Guidepost 21]], located at the

start of the fourth crossing of the El

Azul River.

To ford across the river at this

point, take a bearing on some lenga

trees located on the opposite bank as

you work your way diagonally

upstream across the river.

Once you reach the opposite

bank, go on for 150 meters in a

southeasterly direction until you cross

a creek. At that point you will be able

to see a small cabin located a few

meters to the east. This place is called

Puesto Esperanza.

After crossing the creek, continue

onward up the valley on a trail running

parallel to the river over open ground

covered with low stands of weed

growth until you soon come to a fence.

At the fence, turn to the east for a few

meters and you will find a farm gate,

which is the location of [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_20,21,22|Guidepost 22]].

At the other side of the gate you

will enter the first mature forests of

lenga trees that you will see in the El

Azul River valley. Go on for around 900

meters on a southerly bearing over a

distinctly visible trail until you reach a

crossing point over a small stream. You

will now start to travel over stony

ground that is a part of the far eastern

side of the El Azul riverbed. Continue

onward over this ground for another

300 meters alongside the river over a

stretch with the first views of the

mountains of the upper watershed.

Continue onward over a lower river

terrace covered by a dense colony of

calafate undergrowth interspersed

with stands of quila brush.

Looking to the east while on this

flatland you will be able to see a large

waterfall, and looking to the south you

will see [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_23,24,25|Guidepost 23]], located at the

fifth and second-to-last crossing of the

El Azul River.

This guidepost, besides pointing

out to you the place to ford the river,

also marks an opportunity to observe

calafate (Berberis microphylla)

growths.

The calafate, a species of shrub

belonging to the Berberidaceae family

of plants, grows from the Maule Region

(Chile Region 7) southward to

Magallanes (Chile Region 12) on wet

soils with poor drainage. It bears single

flowers that are golden yellow, and its

fruit, a round blue-black berry, is edible.

The medicinal uses of this shrub stem

from its laxative properties.

After you cross the river, you will

once again enter the lenga forest on a

narrow, but clearly distinct, trail

running parallel to the river until you

arrive once again at the north bank of

the main river. At this location you can

see [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_23,24,25|Guidepost 24]], which marks the

sixth and last crossing of the El Azul

river, at a location next to large lenga

and ñire trees. It is to be noted that this

is the area of the confluence of the El

Azul River with an unnamed river,

which you will skirt around further

ahead as the upper watershed of the

main river curves to the west.

Numerous individuals of caiquén

(Chloephaga picta), a bird that

inhabits primarily open ground, are

habitués of this part of the river. Their

heads and backs are white with black

bars. The males can be distinguished

by their being lighter in color on their

upper parts and darker on their lower

side.

Once you arrive on the south

bank of the river, continue upstream

along the bank of this river of clear

water to no more than 100 meters from

the last crossing until you reach a farm

gate that is the entrance to a forest of

lenga trees. From this farm gate on,

only 150 meters of trail remain to be

traveled in a southeasterly direction

through the mature forest until you

reach the last settlement located on

this route prior to reaching Lake

Palena. This is [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_23,24,25|Guidepost 25]], the end

of the Section 2 of the trail.

===Segment 3===

'''Mountains of Palena Lake'''

*Distance: 9,04 km.

*Walking Time: 3 hr. 10 min.

*Season: Dec-Mar

''Horseback ride through Andean upland meadows, marshy grasslands and forests of lenga trees in the upper watershed of the El Azul River and northwestern end of Lake Palena. Observation opportunities for native flora and natural overlooks with vistas of the main valley, surrounding mountains and Lake Palena.''

''Travel over firm ground on a trail that follows a distinctly visible trace, although vanishing from sight in certain parts. Slopes are gentle to steeply inclined, with lengthy upgrades that slope more steeply than 30º. Suitable only for persons who have experience with lengthy excursions on horseback through mountains in areas exposed to high winds.''

[[File:Lago Palena, Rutas Patrimoniales Dia3.jpg|left|450px|thumb]]

[[File:Lago Palena, Rutas Patrimoniales Dia3,b.jpg|left|450px|thumb]]

Starting at [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_23,24,25|Guidepost 25]], leave

the forest by traveling southward

through a meadow covered with

calafate growth. Take your bearings on

a farm gate located around 600 meters

to the south. Once you reach the

following creek, a watercourse that

flows down from the high watershed

of the main valley, turn to the east and

continue along the trail. Do not cross

the creek.

Be careful to keep your bearings

upon traveling over the following

stretch of trail as you move upstream

along the creek in a southeasterly

direction because the trail disappears

suddenly along the way. So, go due

south around 100 meters and then start

going uphill along the slope of a hillside.

From there, calculate another 500

meters until you reach [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_26,27,28|Guidepost 26]].

This is the area where the creek from

the waterfall meets the watercourse

coming in from the upper watershed.

It is also the last place before you start

out on the route that takes you across

the mountains that provides good

shelter from the winds and snows that

blow through the valley because it is

associated with sheltering woods of

lenga trees. This is a site where you can

also observe the waterfall and

surrounding mountains.

Continuing onward from

[[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_26,27,28|Guidepost 26]], go uphill along the

fence running up the hillside until the

fence ends. This is the start of an

upgrade running parallel to the creek,

which you can see to your right. In this

area, the trail vanishes from sight once

again. Try to bear gradually to the

southeast by traveling in a zigzag

fashion until you cross above the

waterfall on the north side of it. Move

away from the waterfall a little bit until

you cross a small brook in the high part.

This is where you will find [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_26,27,28|Guidepost 27]], located beside a fence.

[[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_26,27,28|Guidepost 27]] is perhaps one of

the best vantage points for viewing the

El Azul River and its associated

watershed. Again, the dominant

landform that meets the eye of the

viewer is the cordillera of the Andes

Mountains, covered with a dense virgin

forests that stand in contrast with the

barrenness of the valleys and hillsides

that were leveled by wildfires, making

for one of the most desolate landscapes

one can see in all of Patagonia. Of

interest to note is the glacial origin of

these valleys, where you can identify

characteristic U-shaped landforms,

made with cirques, troughs and

shoulders, in the upper valley of the El

Azul River. We recommend you make a

brief halt here before you resume your

ascent of the mountains.

After you leave [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_26,27,28|Guidepost 27]],

continue climbing up the hillside by

skirting along the north side of the

lenga forests located nearby. Move in

zigzag fashion to follow a general

bearing to the southeast. A short while

after you start out you will arrive at the

lower edge of the forest, where you will

need to continue onward by following

a clearly distinguishable trail that

enters a mature forest of lenga trees.

This is the location of [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_26,27,28|Guidepost 28]].

Noteworthy at [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_26,27,28|Guidepost 28]] is

the opportunity to observe a

characteristic lichen of upper montane

deciduous forests in the far south of

South America locally called barbilla,

barba de viejo, barba del diablo or

barba del monte for its bearded

aspect (Usnea barbata). This

is an epiphyte that makes

use of its host tree for

support only and does not cause any

damage to the host. This lichen has

antibiotic properties and was

traditionally used as a dyestuff.

Moving on from [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_26,27,28|Guidepost 28]],

enter the forest by following a clearly

distinct trail. This will take you along a

beautiful route through an area with

old-growth lenga trees, accompanied

by an extremely rich variety of species

of nature in the lower canopy and

understory. You can keep track of your

progress by counting the small stream

crossings encountered along the way,

which are no more than three in

number, until you reach a small gap in

the forest. You have arrived at a place

locally called Primer Portezuelo, and

area of marshy grasslands of hard

grasses devoid of trees. These wetlands

are the headwaters of the main creeks

running out of the area.

Cross this gap by moving forward

around 100 meters on a bearing to the

south over ground without any trail

until you arrive once again at the forest

edge. Here you will find the traces of a

trail that will take you into the forest.

This is the location of [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_29,30,31|Guidepost 29]].

After you leave [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_29,30,31|Guidepost 29]],

follow the trail around 130 meters to

where you cross the stream that has

the waterfall located on it. As you

continue on along this route, you will

emerge from the forest once again and

move into a large expanse of marshy

grasslands. This is the location for

[[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_29,30,31|Guidepost 30]].

We recommend you take a brief

rest break at this guidepost, where you

can also give the horses a chance to

graze. It is also possible here to enjoy a

tradition locally known as a siestada,

a customary break that people take at

midday in Patagonia to eat roast meat

and bread or cake and sip yerba mate

while sharing pleasant conversation

around the fire.

Before resuming your journey

from [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_29,30,31|Guidepost 30]], have a look at the

lowest part of the mountain chain

located to the south-southwest where

you can spot the following guidepost,

located at the start of the mountain

pass that will take you over the

mountains to Lake Palena.

After leaving [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_29,30,31|Guidepost 30]],

continue onward for around 400

meters through these trackless natural

meadows until you enter the forest of

lenga trees once again. Take your

bearings on [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_29,30,31|Guidepost 31]] to know the

path to follow, aided by a few trail

markers placed on trees along the way.

Once you are in the forest, you will

start out on a steep uphill climb over a

clearly distinct trail for about 300

meters until your reach the upper edge

of the forest, where you can see

[[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_29,30,31|Guidepost 31]]. This point marks the

start of an area with open ground and

moist grassland and rocks, typical of

high-montane environments in

periglacial settings, with limited

growths of vegetation and a continual

interplay with the activity of ice.

When leaving [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_29,30,31|Guidepost 31]]

behind, go on for a few meters to the

southwest, and you will soon see the

next guidepost. Take the utmost care

to stay on course as you pass

[[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_32,33,34|Guidepost 32]] and enter a flatter

section of ground. There is no trace of

the trail in this area, and many people

could make the mistake of traveling to

the west, which leads to nowhere.

Continuing on past [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_32,33,34|Guidepost 32]], take a bearing of 158º using as a

reference the western edge of a small

mountain peak covered with stunted

coihue growth. From this last milestone

continue on for around 400 meters over

flat ground where the trail is not

distinguishable. Pass by a small lake

until you reach a larger lake that you

can see on your right hand side. From

the time you find this last lake, bear

gradually to the southeast by following

the rocky hillside that will be on your

left. After you leave the lake behind, a

few meters ahead you will be able to see

[[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_32,33,34|Guidepost 33]] on a small rocky piece of

elevated ground. This is an exceptional

overlook for viewing a large part of the

main peaks associated with this nature

reserve. It is also the place to finally have

the first panoramic vistas of Lake Palena,

one of the most spectacular lakes in all

of Patagonia, nestled in a dense forest

made up for the most part of lenga trees.

In general, this site is considerably

exposed to cold winds blowing down

from the cordillera, and therefore we

recommend that you protect yourself

with windproof, thermal clothing to

prevent symptoms of hypothermia or

freezing.

After you leave [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_32,33,34|Guidepost 33]] you

will start on the downhill trail leading to

Lake Palena.You can keep your bearings

by taking a sighting on the east end of

the lake, which runs parallel to a small

creek that flows in a southeasterly

direction until it finally outfalls to a

broad, open area with marshy

grasslands. You will need to take into

account the fact that in the part of the

trail extending from the last guidepost

onward to this grassland large

snowpacks may accumulate annually

and remain on the ground on account

of this being land that has southerly

exposure. We therefore recommend you

take the utmost of precautions and

move carefully when traveling downhill.

You will need to travel around 250

meters un a south-by-southwesterly

direction over this open expanse of

ground until you find the entrance to

the woods, where a clearly

distinguishable trail is located.This is the

site of [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_32,33,34|Guidepost 34]].

Moving on from [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_32,33,34|Guidepost 34]],

the only part left to travel is the final

descent through an interesting mature

forest of lenga trees in which Lake

Palena will appear to you nearer and

nearer as you approach the end of the

trail. It is to be noted that this is a descent

over hard clayey ground with steep

slopes that in places can be difficult for

pack animal to negotiate. We therefore

recommend that after you travel no

more than one-half kilometer from the

last guidepost you should dismount and

lead your horse by the bridle on foot for

your own safety.

Follow at all times the most

distinctive trail because there are forks

and side trails at certain spots.

Remember that this part of the route is

also used by wandering herds of

livestock and that there are usually

several alternate paths that arrive at the

same place. To ensure that you do not

stray from the right path, you can guide

yourself by the trail markers, which you

should see at no more than 10-minute

intervals as you travel along until you

finally reach the forested lakeshores of

Lake Palena.

You can spot [[Hitos_Lago_Palena#Hitos/Guidepost_35|Guidepost 35]] beside the

trail at a few meters distance from the

lakeshore, where you will have access to

drinking water. This is a small wooded

terrace suitable for camping or to take

a well-deserved rest before you start out

on the return trip.

Doubtlessly, the magic and mystery of

this little-known lake will pervade us and

leave a deep impression on us with its

ripping water that is of a clarity you may

have never seen before. This lake is fed

by water caught by the deciduous forests

with their myriad of colors in autumn in

this nook of the Patagonian Andes

Mountains, which surely you will find

hard to forget.

==Recommendations==

~~==Route~~ *Do not try to do the trail at times of heavy precipitation or major thaws of Andean snow and ice. The streamflow on the El Azul River can rise rapidly and make it impossible to cross over to start Section 2 of the trail. *Keep in ~~Google Earth~~mind that the route is not suitable for travel as far as Lake Palena from mid austral autumn to the end of austral springdue to abundant rainfall and buildup of snowpacks in the mountains. *If you wish to stay overnight at family lodging places or campsites, get in touch with the office of tourist information or directly with inhabitants of the village of El Azul before starting out on the trail. *For additional information, please contactthe following: Provincial Field Office of the ChileanMinistry of National Property, Office of the National Forestry, Corporation (CONAF) at Palena or the Tourist Information Office ===Basics=~~Expected time~~==*~~[[Media:~~Take rainwear and thermal clothing along with you for your safety and comfort.~~kmz|Route~~ *Take UV sunscreen protection.*Carefully read this description ofthe route before starting out on it.*Wear high- or low-top boots that are comfortable and safe for use when put into stirrups.*Take a map of the route along with you and a watch to keep track of the time.*Take along bags to bring back your garbage and trash with you.*Enquire at the town of Palena before you start out regarding the conditions of weather, conditions of streamflow and water stage on the El Azul and snowpack accumulations in the cordilleras, all to better plan your trip.*Do the trail accompanied by at least one other person and go prepared with all the information you will need.*Keep the travel times for each trail section in mind so that nightfall or a change in the weather does not catch you off guard.*Do not stray from the trail for any reason.*Travel along the marked or indicated route only.*Do not ever leave farm gates any other way than the way you found them.*No hunting. Do not disturb native fauna.*Do not pick any plants or parts of plants that are native flora.*No littering. Bring back all of your trash with you.*Always put out your fires with copious amounts of water and stir until cold.*Do not light fires inside a forest for any reason. Taking good care of our forests now is everybodys responsibility![[category:Routes in english]]{{~~Download waypoints~~Trekkings Chile english}}

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