Alex Mason

Upon arrival in Pucón, Volcán Villarica is an over powering presence, a permanent, snow covered background, showing off the way it reflects the sunset and hiding when the weather is bad.  The first three days that I was in Pucón, it was cloudy and raining and the volcano was covered by low hanging clouds.  The day that the clouds cleared I was full definition shocked to see just how much of the...

In the south of Ecuador, in the culturally rich Andean mountains, lies the generally overlooked city of Loja.  What it lacks in backpacker hostels and museums it makes up for in culture and endless mountain trails.  Just beyond the southern end of the city is Parque Universitario, a Park used by the city's many university students to study and conduct research.  Once inside the park's forest, t...

In the very south of the Ecuadorian Andes lies a mountain that appears in the form of a giant, sleeping, Inca god.  At 1,500 masl, this area is nearly always sunny, with perfect temperatures of around 70-80 F. Information, maps, and access to the Mandango Loop can be obtained at Hostal Izhcayluma.  The Mandango Loop, ascending 500 m, winds up and over the entire face of the sleeping Inca, provi...

In the southern Andes of Ecuador, at an elevation of 2,800 m above sea level, on the road joining Catamayo and Loja, a park containing 12 wind turbines provides amazing views of the city of Loja.  For 30 cents, a local bus will take you from central Loja to Tierras Coloradas, from there you can take a quick taxi ride for about 1 USD, or enjoy a pleasant walk to the park entrance.  Entrance is f...

While 40 kilometers is quite long, this trek is not difficult.  The trail is long, wide, well maintained, well marked, and fairly flat if not downhill.  Beginning in Loja's Parque Lineal, this is a true experience of the mountains and Andean life.  Follow rivers, jump over streams, walk through the cloud forest, and pass by Eucalyptus trees.  And if you decide you're not going to make it the en...

At 970m above sea level in one of the most bio diverse places on earth one entrance to Podocarpus National Park can be reached by way of the small city of Zamora.  This side of the park hosts jungle and cloud forest climate and vegetation.  ARRIVE: Zamora is about 1.5 hours by bus and 3 USD from the city of Loja. You can take a taxi to the park entrance on the Bombuscaro river from anywhere in ...

At the very south of Loja, on the road to Vilcabamba, is Jardín Botánico Reinaldo Espinosa.  "Garden" is too calm of a word to describe this botanical sanctuary.  It is full of native and exotic plant species only generally organized into an Arboretum, Andean Cultivation, Medicinal plants, an Orchid garden, Xerophytic plants, and a picnic area.  While there is a main path that surrounds the ent...

At 1,500 masl a patch of forest sits seemingly dead above the city of El Bolsón in the Patagonia region of Argentina.  A 1 kilometer steep climb starting from "la plataforma" flattens out and transforms into a forest of hidden faces, wooden cats, and gnomes.  A short, easy path, allowing incredible views of the city and its surrounding mountains, passes by once burned trees turned into art by d...

Seven kilometers from Pucon, el Salto del Claro can mostly be reached by car.  From the parking lot, a poorly marked trail drops quickly to the base of the waterfall.  From the entrance of the parking lot, cross directly to the other side and follow the trail until you pass through a small wooden gate.  Continue along the trail until you see a faint red arrow painted on a tree pointing to the r...

This short but dense with adventure loop begins at  Refugio Cajón del Azul in the mountains of El Bolsón in Rio Negro, Patagonia, Argentina.Turning right out of the refuge's wooden gate, follow the path toward Refugio Retamal until you reach a small creek covered by a discreet wooden bridge.  Follow the path on the left towards the sound of water and into the forest.  The path from here appears...

Technically the park does not open until 8:30.  This, however, only means that there is nobody in the office to collect the entrance fee (5,000 CLP for foreigners, 3,000 for Chileans).  Personally, starting after 8:30 is too late for my taste.  The forests of Lenga and Arrayan, with a ground covering of bright yellow flowers are way too beautiful in the early morning light to miss.  Taking adva...

This steep, but not so long hike begins at Refugio Hielo Azul.  The view of the lake at the base of the glacier is hidden from the refuge but the path to it is clearly seen.  Be sure to register your name with whoever is working in the refuge before you begin to hike.  The staff can also provide extra directions, a map, and tips.The 3-4 hour roundtrip path begins at the soccer field next to the...