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LOS
ALERCES NATIONAL PARK
Province of Chubut
Created
in 1937 to protect the stands of Lahuán (Fitzroya cupressoides)
the giant among patagonian andes trees, the southern equivalent of the
redwoods.
The park covers an area of 263,000 ha in the west of the province of Chubut
and borders neighbouring Chile.
NATURE IN THE
PARK
This park contains beautiful
scenery of lakes and mountains all connected by watercourses of varying
dimensions. The slopes are cloaked in woods of coihue and lenga (Nothofagus
dombeyi and N. pumilio) with cypresses.
In the western reaches the high rainfall gives rise to the dense vegetation
of the cool Valdivian rainforests. The outstanding species is Fitzroya
cupressoides, erroneously called "alerce" and correctly named
"lahuán". Within the park are the largest stands of this
species in the country. On the northern and southern shores of Menéndez
lake are found the best examples of these. This gigantic tree reaches
heights of some 60 metres (200 feet) with trunks of three metres diameter
and dated at some 3000 years of age in some specimens.
Another notable arboreal feature are the stands of Maitén (Maitenus
boaria) which are at the eastern approaches to the park in the transition
zone bordering of the patagonian steppe, as well as scattered as a component
of the woods.
The park is home to species which are threatened such as the huemul andean
deer and the pudu, the smallest species of this family as well as the
güiña wild-cat; the Chilean pigeon is making a come-back.
One of the common species of birds is the chucao tapaculo, unusually tame
in parts of the park; here also is the magellanic woodpecker, the austral
parakeet and the austral thrush.
CULTURAL ASPECTS
Evidence of prehistoric
exploration and settlement in the park is found in the remains at archaeological
sites, of hunter-gatherers at different elevations along the Desaguadero
river: the Alero del Shaman and at an interpretative trail. These two
sites are believed to have been locations of limited activity, not residential.
They are related to the availability of resources and date from the later
period of regional prehistory. Dates are determined between 2200 years
and 1500 years before the present.
Rock paintings on the vertical faces are a recurrent feature. They include
complicated symbols typical of the style of northern patagonia; with concentric
circles, clepsidrae, rectangles and squares, crosses and diagrammatic
human figures.
The visitor can get a look at these on the interpretative trail to that
effect.
HOW TO GET THERE
From Esquel the
nearest town along route 259 and then 71 which crosses the park from north
to south.. This leads to Villa Futalaufquen, the park's HQ. Northwards,
out of the park, this road joins 258 heading towards El Bolsón.
Flights arrive at Esquel airport some 38km from the park, as does the
famous narrow-gauge train "La Trochita" from Ing. Jacobacci
to the north.
OF INTEREST
TO THE VISITOR
At park HQ at Villa
Futalaufquen there is a visitors' centre where information can be obtained
as also fishing permits. There is a gas station, tea-room souvenir shops,
services and a hotel. Lodging is available in other areas of the park
in hostels and cabins. From Puerto Limonao a lake excursion departs, right
up Futalaufquen, up the Arrayanes river to Verde lake where one disembarks,
crosses over to lake Menéndez on foot - a short walk - to another
boat. This sails round Isla Grande and shortly thereafter one gets a view
of the imposing glaciers on mount Torrecillas. Eventually reaching the
north end of Menéndez, disembarkation and foot trails lead one
through the imposing "alerce" forests.
There are more than twenty trails in the park to reach interesting and
beautiful areas on foot or in your car and tracks for cycling and horse
riding. Some are:
* Cinco Saltos trail: leaving from Limonao port it takes 2.5 hours to
climb to a viewing point for the waterfalls on the Puma river.
* Alto El Dedal mountain trail: a 5 to 6-hour climb departing from Bustillo
port and reaching the summit for a spectacular view of part of Futalaufquen,
the Situación range, and the valley of the Desaguadero river. A
stiff climb.
* Trail to Kruger lake: a twelve-hour hike from Puerto Limonao ends at
Kruger lake where camping is permitted. Fairly easy going.
* Trail to Arroyo Cascada: a circular trail taking some 5 or six hours
to walk it; starts from Villa Futalaufquen and traverses the slopes of
the Situación range and several view-points. Fairly easy going,
it brings one back to the point of departure.
* Trail to Laguna Escondida: a 4 hour climb from the Arrayanes river to
Laguna Escondida. Fairly hard going.
* Trail to Cerro Alto el Petiso: a six to seven hour climb leaving from
Puerto Mermoud on Verde lake and reaching the summit. A stiff climb.
Thanks to APN - Administración
de Parques Nacionales
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