It’s been a good day in Cuenca! The first order of business was to get a covid test for re entry into the US. There’s not a lot of information where they are available online, sort of crazy considering the number of people who need to get them to travel. I found a clinic near the bus station that did rapid tests for $30. Success!
Then caught a bus for Cajas National Park about 25k out of town. And at a little under 13,000 feet elevation. I planned on doing the Ruta 1, rated moderate and about 4.5 miles long. Dang! I immediately felt the elevation stepping off the bus… light headed and easily out of breath. The trail was very muddy in places (tennis shoes), rocky and the trail markers virtually nonexistent! The good part was about every 10 steps I wanted to take a picture. Truly an unbelievably scenic area! I ended up hiking out about 2 miles and taking a wrong turn. Ended up in a boggy area feeling lost and aware of my energy reserves, and decided to backtrack to the start. Smart move since I was by myself and did not want to spend the night there! And it was getting a bit chilly!
So, since I have good internet here I am doing a photo dump of the park. I especially liked the Polylepis or paper tree forest. Enjoy!
2 Wheeled Wanderer 