|
LAGO PUELO
NATIONAL PARK
Province of Chubut
Though
originally annexed to Los Alerces NP in 1937, this park was given its
own status as such in 1971. It covers an area of 23,700 ha and is found
in the extreme NW corner of the province of Chubut, against the border
with Chile.
NATURAL ASPECTS
The southern Andes were shaped
by glacial action; lakes of such origin lie in the bottoms of most of
the valleys there.. Lago Puelo is no exception; it drains along the Puelo
river to the Pacific.
Because the valley runs westwards into Chile it has a particular microclimate,
being but 200m above sea level, which makes it unique among the south
andean parks. In it grow species which are from the western slopes in
Chile, peculiar to the cool Valdivian rainforests, and in Argentina are
only found here. When added to the more dominant species found in the
woods of the patagonian andes this makes for a particularly interesting
aggregation of species. The briar rose, an invasive exotic species, has
established itself in various localities within the park.
Several species of fauna are found in the park such as the pudu - the
world's smallest deer - and the huemul or andean deer which here has an
important population above the tree-line. Here too are pumas, the "red"
fox and grisons. The birds species include the great grebe, the flying
steamer-duck, black-faced ibis, the Chilean flicker and the black-necked
swan.
The waters of the park are home to some surviving native species of fish
as well as the introduced trout.
CULTURAL ASPECTS
In the southern reaches of the park in
the area of the Turbio river, are several sites where one can find rock
paintings consisting of geometrical designs executed in red on erratic
boulders left by the ice-sheets or on rock-faces. These are all along
the valley and no distance from the river. The figures, concentric circles,
lines, zigzags, are characteristic of the style of the region of NW Patagonia
as are also found at El Bolson, El Maiten and Cholila.
HOW TO GET THERE
From Bariloche in the north one heads
along route 258 for 120 km to El Bolson. From this locality a lesser road
leads to the park arriving at the north shore of Puelo lake, within the
park.
OF INTEREST TO THE
VISITOR
In El Bolson, the town some
19 km from the park, all manner of services and lodging can be had. At
the reception area on the north shore of the lake there are two camping
areas, one organised, the other free. Here too are offered excursions
on the lake and there are horses for hire.
A bathing area is located no distance from the reception area, known as
"La Playita". The waters are warmer here and gentle shelving
makes it shallow and safe.
From here also a series of trails lead to places of interest:
* Los Hitos trail. Some 9 hours long
and with a little difficulty, this trail parallels the north shore as
far as the Border Guards' station where one may pitch a tent to overnight.
* Trail to Mt. Currumahuida, a seven hour hike there and back, no overnighting.
* Trail to Rio Turbio along the slopes of Cerro Derrumbe; starting from
El Desemboque, seven hours out. One may overnight and cook on a fire at
the ranger station at the end of the trail.
* Trail to Lago Huemul (outside the park). Six hours there and back -
no camping and no fires.
* Trail to Cerro Plataforma - a three hour hike from the ranger station
at Río Turbio.
* Trail to Mirador del Lago, a look-out over the lake; 800m to a point
150m above the lake.
Thanks to APN - Administración
de Parques Nacionales
|
