The trek to Los Nevados started here. Each day was unique, but this kick-started the adventure. Details below, including GPS data + summary video at the bottom!
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Starting the Trek from El Cedral to La Pastora
A storm started to brew upon our arrival. Dark clouds were swarming towards an epicenter and the distinct sweet smell of rain flooded my nostrils. This was quite an ominous beginning for what would become my favorite trek.
Unsure and full of doubt, we geared up and pressed forward on foot. Each drizzle foreshadowed the onslaught that would rain upon us the next several days. The trailhead was not too far from here, and luckily, this foreboding quickly faded as we set foot and ventured deeper into the jungle.
Falling in Love With the Scenic Jungle
The jungle green surrounding all fields of vision contrasted starkly with the trails I was accustomed to at sea level in North America. I expected swaths of mosquitos and other bloodsucking or otherwise annoying creatures. I expected humidity and discomfort. Usually, expectations breed reality, but not here.
Much to my surprise, I was delighted with the level of humidity blanketing my skin. The sounds of raindrops bouncing off the natural umbrellas above me, as well as roar of the gushing waterfalling rivers, were the only sounds I could comprehend.
I felt like Dr. Grant in Jurassic Park, in the scene where he is climbing trees to save the boy stuck in the tree – the sound effects in the movie match what the beginning of my trek sounded like – and although I’m no doctor Grant, I was venturing into an isolated area with no personal wellbeing safety net.
Solitude
The solitary nature of this trek heightened the entire experience for me and cemented it as my top hike of all time. Aside from the landowners who operated the various farms we passed (about one every 3-5 miles), I saw no one, and certainly no hiking tourists. The folks operating the farms only spoke their native tongue; this sealed the authenticity of the excursion.
Promoting Conservation and Preserving Ecology
Fencing was created by the government to promote conservation of the historical park; by providing a clear path and restricting off-trail excursions, erosion can be controlled. Neglecting to instantiate these measures would endanger the existence of already endangered/protected species in the park, increase erosion, and lead to significant damage to the waterways. As an added bonus, these measures provide personal safety to unfamiliar hikers.
A Clear Path
As a result of this conservation measure, the trek was relatively straightforward to follow. There were certain parts during which I felt like I could potentially get lost, but this was mostly a non-issue.
At one point, we approached a marsh with a fork in the trail. Somehow, this event brought feelings of excitement, not anxiety. Navigating deep and slippery mud created a fun obstacle course, and this compounded the adrenaline rush of “am I going the right way?” by bringing a jovial element to the trip; a feeling that I sometimes forget is not entirely lost to childhood.
Before long, a guidepost to La Pastora, which appears every few kilometers, put my mind at ease just in the nick of time.
Arriving at La Pastora
Arriving at La Pastora was magical: green grass, horses, and colorful flowers all around. The family-owned establishment had a canteen (that was closed for the day) and rooms that could be rented, but the cheaper and more exciting option of pitching a tent outside near the horses was more desirable. I encountered my first “stranger” on the trail here, after 6 hours of hiking.
The trek up to this point was not necessarily grueling, but the scenery was very inviting and I was happy to call this place my home for the night; I whipped out my journal to stop and reflect on the journey thus far, and pondered on what was to come the following days…
Video Summary + Journal Entries
Trek Stats: Elevation Gain and Distance
Total climbing: 1503 ft
Total time: 03:17:47
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