Cotopaxi national park

first glimpse of Cotopaxi

Late September 2012, Emily - Kain, Judy - Tim, Sherry - Ole made sure to visit this majestic mountain, which is also an active volcano in the line of fire or corridor of Volcanoes..............

lunch in shelter behind road sign



oh the colours

Cotopaxi is only 28 km from Quito, as the crow flies. By car it takes about an hour and a half. First stretch on the Pan American highway, which is mostly a four lane road leading south. So the going was easy until turnoff towards east and the park. From there on it is a cobblestone road, very, very rough, loose screws on the cars and teeth in humans are shaken out. It was so bad that the days first beer break had to take place just before 10am. We had left our suburb site of Quito at 8am, and after then break arrived at the hacienda shortly before 11.


low rainbow over hacienda
 

llamas are curious
 



the mighty Cotopaxi




We had decided to make the trip to the park now, because the rainy season is fast approaching the highlands we live in. The weather was fantastic, rolling clouds over deep blue skies. Brisk wind though and temp close to freezing at night at the hacienda. Hot water bottles in the beds at night was a nice touch by the staff. 

clouds moving in fast

the smaller the "curious'er"

a real "cowboy"

We were at 3,600 meter at the hacienda. This is cattle and horse country, with a few llamas and alpacas thrown in. The fellow above was a true gaucho, virtuous in the handling of the horse and in full gallop after a cow shortly after.
The hacienda was situated 5 km from the entrance to the national park and built only about 35 years ago, but did truly look like a Danish "firlænget bondegård" a few hundred years old. Very romantic setting. Well worth a visit again and then again.

 

The signpost shows the many, many volcanoes and mountains with direction and heights.
Great country for endless trekking with un-forget & believable vistas. We drove up a gravel road towards the glacier on the top of Cotopaxi until the baby SUV we drive here dug its hind wheels in and refused to go further. A kingdom for a 4x4.
We were now at 4,600 meters and climbed/walked up a sort of gravel path to about 4,800. Oxygen is in short supply up there.
Sherry and Emily on the way, 15 steps gasp-gasp, and on it goes.
We turned around (with sort of relief) when the clouds rolled in and snow pellets in the air both blocked the view and stung the face.

 

Unforgettable beautiful skies, landscapes, mountains. Friends, family who do not sit at the edge of the sofas and lazy boys to come visit the centre of the world and us of course.
Well no more said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!