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ediciones
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Página redirigida a GPT06 (Descabezado)
|Actividad=Trekking
|País=Chile
|CiudadesChile=TalcaCuricó|BellezaEscenica=|Atractivos=Vistas panorámicasImpresionante|Duracion=días1 día
|RequiereHabilidadTrek=No requiere
|Sendero=Siempre Claro
|Señalizacion=Inexistente
|Infraestructura=Inexistente
|ComparteIdayRetorno=Cruce|Distancia=86500|MetrosAscenso=4258|MetrosDescenso=4372|AltitudMedia=|Primer Autor=[[user:Jandudeck|Jan Dudeck]]|Imágen Principal=10 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg|ComentariosImagen=Towards Azufre hot springs|KMLZ=GPT06 - Volcán Descabezado.kmz|m=https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=1ymKMNEgUU8XHznjXq__oEx7hlT0wiOI1Circuito
|TipoDeMap=HYBRID
}}
{{Draft}}
[[File:18 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNG|thumb|1100px|center|In the huge ash field]]
|ComentariosImagen=Towards Azufre hot springs
|KMLZ=GPT06 - Volcán Descabezado.kmz
|m=https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=1ymKMNEgUU8XHznjXq__oEx7hlT0wiOI1
|TipoDeMap=HYBRID
|ComentariosMapa=
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{{Table all GPTs}}
==Season Section Log, Recent Alerts and Suggestions==
Drinking the water of the hot springs is not recommended because it can upset your stomach. Better take fresh water from the river or a cold spring nearby.
When climbing the Descabezado Grande take plenty of water from the base camp in particular if you plan to spend one night higher up. You may refill your supplies with snow near the summit.
Our last section on the GPT for this year! We started in Vilches Alto with the option 06-05 because we rented horses with the arriero Jose Lopez. The beginning is placed in the Reserva Nacional Altos de Lircay, which requires a permit to go until the Volcan. The entrance fee is also 7k pp. We finished our first day at Camp, CONAF {06-05} [10.2/1158]. I believe we mostly followed the GPS track.
Day 3 - Bus from Molina to Refugio El Radal (off season and weekdays = only one bus at 5pm in Molina that stops in El RadalBlanquillo - 20km - +800m/-900mA long but beautiful day. Weekend : it goes directly Leave early the camp to Parque Ingles and avoid hot temperatures while ascending the schedule may also be different)pass. Well welcomed by the arrierio Umberto ! Very kind.
Day 4 - Hitchhiked from El Radal Volcan Descabezado Grande - 16km - +2000m/-2000mWe did the ascent without our bags, we went back to our camp in the night. It's long and hard. According to Umberto, 12h are needed in total, we did in 10h. Same, Leave early to Parque Inglesavoid hot temperatures.
Day 5 - First night in Laguna los Hornitos - 20km - +900m/-900mAnother nice day, passing next to Laguna Caracol. The descent from the pass is a bit annoying if you didnt follow the track (as we did). So, advice : follow the RR and go down on your right. The Laguna is very dry, just enough to have a camping bath. Hard to maintain the pitch of the tent in Parque Ingles = 5000 CLPthe dry dirt.
Day 6 - The Los Cipreses - 15km - +100m/-1000mLast short day after, I had to register end this beautiful section. The gravel road is a bit boring but passing pickup are proposing you to CONAFget you down to the main road. Office opening Here, only one bus at 8:30 am7am. Entrance fee = 6000 CLPSome people (5 or 6) were going And a little shop selling ice cream, chips and drinks. We hitchiked to El Bolson Colorado where plenty of buses are going down to Talca for the day but after Laguna Las Animas, there was absolutely nobody till the end !2 000 CLP (+ 400 CLP per bag)
24/01 - Be careful for the last pass Las Hornitos, a lot of snow at the top and it makes it impossible to follow the GPS track to go down. I found my way on the left when you face the valley and then got back to the GPS track30/01 / RR + Descabezado SOBO / Martial :
Day 05
OH {06-02} [29.1] + [20]
Lagunas de aquas calientes day.
An easy day with a lot of time spent at Aquas Caliente, true to the name.
Trail from camp was easy to follow until (-35.53519, -70.46551) and then it went CC to the Laguna. If shelter is needed in this open landscape we found a rock shelter here (-35.51276, -70.51035). The creek feeding the Laguna was fabulously warm in places - either at the source of the creek or at a spring on the right side about 100m upriver. Tomáš found the proper source of the spring here (-35.50395, -70.52347). It is easy to get sunburn why bathing mid-day though. There are some camping spots near the creek. After this Laguna there is a nasty and windy sand stretch until a creek located here (-35.48980, -70.57667). On this stretch I chose not to follow the sand but detoured on more solid ground to the east (-35.48839, -70.56200) and was glad I did. Later on we found snow melt here (-35.48544, -70.59940) and loaded all the water we would need for night/morning and exploring Descabozado Chico the next day.
Day 07
Last pass and New route possibly
From the small trickle creek at -35.54575, -70.75672 head SW up the creek bed in the direction of this easy pass ***-35.55513, -70.76977. Nearby spots would work too except for the pass directly above the creek bed, the other side of that one had snow and rocks. After this pass I believe it is easiest to just go straight down and up like a half pipe rather than trying to traverse and keep elevation, we aimed for a middle looking plateau on the other side, this middle plateau took us to the proper crossing of the gorge here, -35.57923, -70.77864 (más o menos). We jumped the gorge and climbed easily up the other side although the other side looks like a scramble it was actually just walking. We travesed this altitude for a little longer (although I would suggest easier walking a little lower) until we made camp in a ravine very close to the Descabezado approach route. Our camp even had a small amount of flowong snow melt so it was heaven in my mind! (Camp with water; -35.59280, -70.78723).
This route should be avoided for many reasons apart from the fact that the other route is easier despite elevation gain (we took the other route back). This osm route took us here -35.61301, -70.75604 which was actually a glacier covered in sand with a small hanging glacier above causing a lot of rockfall, it was a very ugly place and we carefully got out of there and made or way to the proper route to Azul. Despite loosing almost 2hours on an already tight day we continued (although I wasted an extra 30min due to making up my mind🙄). Once again on the way up to Azul we did not follow the normal way but went to the east side of the crater of Azul where the bad osm route is. There were a foot print here and there but it was CC. The crater was amazing but too windy to enjoy much, we saw a few fumaroles. We continued CC to the base of Azul, a tiny bit of snow (or glacier remnants?) but posed no difficulties. The base of Azul is beautiful with melt water if needed. We followed the ridge to Azul, it was more involved than Descabezado but no more than a low 3rd class (it is a bit exposed and steep but almost exclusively hiking). There is a interesting summit tower on Azul but because of the wind and time we had no desire to stretch our limits. Weather moved in fast and before we were off the ridge of Azul we were completely covered in a white out, maybe maximum 10m of visibility. Navigation was incredibly hard but we took our chances and took the other ("valle") OSM route down and luckily it was a very easy route and we were down below the clouds and able to see again. The rest of the night was CC back to our camp ~1030pm. It as a good day.
Day 10.
At the park entrance I was turned away by a CONAF officer because I bought a “day trip” ticket (El bolson - para día) and not the one with overnight camping. For the ticket I bought they allow entry only by 11:00am. I did not explain that I will continue beyond El Bolson - maybe I should have done that but did not want to get myself into more unnecessary discussions. CONAF said they cannot change my ticket to the “camping” type and when I tried to book the other one, it was booked out for the next two days, so the advice is book early and the right ticket type (el bolson - camping)!
On the second day I hiked to Refugio Blanquillo, met a settler who resides there for three months each year (if I understood correctly). The scenery before the refugio was otherwoŕldy and beautiful. Gaiters, good hat, sunscreen and sunglasses were my most loved pieces of gear. I camped at the first “camp” waypoint after Refugio Blanquillo. Amazing place to camp (but no grass), with a good stream and even some small shade thanks to the bushes.
* 2022- First night in a camping in Parque Ingles = 5000 CLPDec-20 / SOBO / RR / 2 days / Martin & Helena
*14. - No problem to go out from the mine16. ActuallyDec 2022 / Anna&Christopher / SOBO, workers I met on my way down to Parque Inglés - Los Cipreses suggestedto drop me by car to the main road. The guard was just smiling when he saw me in the car and when I told him I was hiking
There is LOTS of water. Laguna del Caracol and Laguna de los Hornos are both full of clear, refreshing water. A lot of the "water" GPS waypoints are actually fords this time of year (easy ones), and there's a lot of other water sources not listed on the tracks. But the section is very exposed, no shade, and very hot in the midday sun unless a breeze is blowing.
Amazing section! I found the landscape to be very varied despite the lack of vegetation - and even with many pretty flowers near the streams. I personally found it to be a great ending to my GPT journey, a big contrast to the landscapes further south. Would make for a tough start though.
Plenty of water. Met one hiker doing Circuito el Cóndor and three Chilean tourists on horseback. No arrieros, but plenty of cows and horses. The weather was cold and windy, sometimes veritable sandstorms which meant I almost couldn't open my eyes - maybe sunglasses could have helped. I wore my long pants over my boots instead of gaiters - should have listened to the advice, so much sand!
Signs on the way to parque inglés say that you can only buy tickets online - don't know how strict they are, but no cell phone coverage at parque inglés and long before in case they insist. You have to be there before 15 to be let through to El Bolsón.Easy 11 km to El Bolsón through a young forest. No water at the first "ford" waypoint. Campground has toilets and showers, it's the only place you'Stage A: Start re allowed to El Bolsoncamp until after Valle del Indio. Nice enough place next to the impressive Colmillo del Diablo. In hot weather it might be nice to camp here to take the long ascent in the morning.Laguna de las Animas would be a good campsite plus a nice place to swim. The first "water" waypoint afterwards is also great for camping - there is a nice little meadow.Las Animas pass is gorgeous!After Termas Azufre there are many confusing paths. They mostly seem to lead to the same place, but keep an eye on the GPS. When descending from the 2700 m pass towards Termas Blanquillo, you don't have to cross the stream to your right even though many paths do it. As noted by others, the hot springs Baños del Blanquillo are luke warm - but fine if you want to wash yourself a little and the stream is too cold. The refuge is locked.The next camp waypoint is in a cute valley with many streams, bushes and flowers. No grass, though. Laguna Caracol is beautiful as well, but very bare, surrounded by sand. I really liked the campsite afterwards, with views of both Volcán Descabezado and Cerro Azul. From there, a small CC section to the ascent where the path picks up again towards the Hornitos pass. Even more gorgeous with great and very different views to each site. Volcán Hornitos and the other little craters look really funny and special. Some hail was coming in, though, so I quickly slided down to the next camp waypoint, again a nice flat meadow. No water on the ascent. The first streams at the top of the pass were dry, but the path crosses a stream in 2100 m altitude. If you fill up at the water waypoint before the pass I agree you wouldn't have to carry extra water, the time between these two water points is around 2-3 hours.I climbed to the rim of Volcán Hornitos, there's nothing in there, but if you walk to the highest point the view is nice enough. It took me 20 minutes in total, and it was about worth that.The gravel road is nice the first kilometres, but then it gets pretty boring. The security guard at the end was very nice and welcoming.I camped at the shop just before the road - nice place by the river, 3000 per person with toilets and a cold shower, or 50,000 for a cabaña. From there I hitched the 3 km down the road to Restaurant Cordillera, nice enough, great with a beer, meat and fries. Bus left from the bus shed at 7:20 next morning - think it depends whether it goes to El Médano or not
I hiked this route only a couple of days after Verónica & Jo. Not much to add except:
From El Bolson you get in one day Termas del Azufre climbing to the Laguna Mondacapass I followed a faint track on the steep loose slope instead of crossing at the first river ford. If After a few hundred meters the track takes you partition this stage differently be aware that there are no inviting camp sites between to a flat wide rocky area (just before the Laguna las Ánimas and slope becomes impossibly steep), where you can very easily ford the Laguna Mondaca. This stage should not be attempted in bad weatherriver (I didn't even get my feet wet).
Plenty of buses Molina - Parque Inglés. But only one bus from el Médano - Los Cipreses to Talca, at around 7 am, which returns at 15:00. Only week days. Basic camping just in front of Los Cipreses shop (only ice cream, drinks, choco bars, biscuits): $4.000 pp.
As others have said: the views are otherworldly and stunning. We felt like Touaregs traveling from oasis to oasis in the Saharan desert. Except that there actually are plenty of springs and little rivers flowing in most valleys.
- High-heeled boots and long trousers work well to keep the sand out.
- There is no bus to Talca from Los Cipreses on saturdays or sundays. We asked at the shop and got a ride to Colorado from the brother-in-law of the shopkeeper for 15000 CLP.
* 12 Feb Frank RR Southbound
At the end of GPT06 if you go on the north bank of Rio Maule the route is blocked by a cliff beyond Los Alamos & you need to cross the river to continue. Better to go on the road. After 2KM on the road you pass 2 shops, better food selection than in El Medano. They have accommodation also. At Bridge 17 you can rejoin RR or continue on road but RR is nicer.
[[Archivo:Greater Patagonian Trail (9).jpg|thumb|GPT06 - Be careful for the last pass Las HornitosVolcán Descabezado]][[Archivo:Greater Patagonian Trail (5).jpg|miniaturadeimagen|Greater Patagonian Trail]][[Archivo:Greater Patagonian Trail (17).jpg|thumb|[[Cerro Azul]].]][[Archivo:Greater Patagonian Trail (11).jpg|thumb|Greater Patagonian Trail, section 6]]*Start Date: December 24, 2019*Section: GPT 5 + 6 Southbound*Duration: 7 days*Name/Alias: Ian Hikes + Tobias*Overview: So, I decided to combine GPT sections 5 and 6 in order to avoid a lot 30k out and back resupply section into parque ingles. I thought this was a good decision for me and really enjoyed being out there for a week. In my opinion this was the hardest section of snow at the top GPT in between sections GPT 01-10. I went the first 5 days without seeing another person which I thought was quite cool. So, these two sections are quite remote, and you are way out there in the mountains. There was also some pretty intense river crossing in “GPT Section 5” that I found to be manageable (keep in mind I’m 185cm and have lots of thru hiking experience.) but still a little difficult. The rivers were also very dark and murky which made it makes it impossible hard to follow see where you would step. There was also an improvised bridge crossing the GPS track Colorado River that I used, and thought was safe to go downuse. I found my way These two sections are dominated by a volcanic profile with much of the route on ash and volcanic rock. Most of the left when you face route is very exposed and there are not many trees or vegetation that grow in the volcanic ash/rocks. There was plenty of water with springs coming out of the valley hills everywhere and then got back disappearing into the sand.*Difficulties: It was slow going walking thru the sand, especially when hiking vertically. Exposure to the GPS tracksun. River crossings. Isolation and remoteness. Hiking up and down lose rock and scree fields.*Highlights: Hot Springs. Great views of the volcanic region. Mountain Lakes. Sunrise and Sunsets were epic with the landscape. * Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions at ultratrailca@gmail.com
*2020- Mini market where you can find basic food Jan-23 Shn0rhelez/ Parque Ingles to El Medano southbound/main route ... 7 days duration(eggs2 nights spent on laguna Las Animas)...section passable...Strong sun, spaghetti, chocolate no shadow after the park...Gaiters strongly recommended...the SUBsection between termas del azufre and second ford Before the pass (2700m) in Las Termas El Medanois full with water... my personal apinion is the backpack weight can be minimized... Good luck!
2019-Dec-25 / Tom & Maddie / RR SOBO / Parque Ingles to El Medano
3 days. Very beautiful (and exposed) section. Lots of water. The track from Los Cipreses to El Medano suffered from a few landslides meaning the route was slower than anticipated. I would consider taking the road next time as there is no loss of scenery. We resupplied in El Medano by basically buying all the food at the tienda (60000 CP for food for two people for the next section). Selection was good enough
2019-Dec-18 / Tyler & America / Regular route from Vilches Alto
- Mini market where you can find basic food (eggs, spaghetti, chocolate ...) in Las Termas El Medano
07/02/20- Arnaud- Gpt section 6
4 days - North to South
Amazing but hard section with a lot of denivelation.
As we did not walk the section 5, we took the bus from Molina to Parque Ingles-7 Tazas (many buses, 4-5 buses per day). We registered to the Conaf Office and paid the entrance fee 6000 clp for foreigners. They gave us a mail adress so that we can announce our exit of the parque, to check the security.
We walked the first 11km to the campspot El Bolson. It costs 4000 clp per person but has no interest. As the zone is protected, it is possible to freecamp only after el Bolson, before, it is prohibited.
The Laguna Las Animas is very very beautiful and is welcome for a bath with the heat of this season.
Then the paso las animas is easy and ashes are fun for downhills!
We met nobody on the trail after el Bolson. So great! Except at one spot with termas with full of chilenos there.
We lacked a bit of water at the laguna el Caracol but found 3kms further (just before the strong uphill) a source with drinkable water.
No problem then to exit los cypress. We hitchhiked on the road with workers until the road to los Medanos.
We stayed one day in los termas de los Medanos, at the camping and exit quickly (too many noise, people). The water is hot and nice after a hard section like this one.
We resupplied at los termas (with pasta, arros, pancito, manjar). No gas available there.
* 12 Feb 2020 Frank 2.5 days Southbound.
At Parque Ingles I registered with Conaf, they record your route & where you will camp. Deregistered by email later. Easy 3 hour walk to El Bolson, lots of people camping there but they don't go any further. Took optional route to Laguna Manantial. At 2160M there is a small meadow & stream, this is last water & last camp before the lake. You go over a pass @ 2560M then drop 80M to the lake.
Termas Blanquillo were only tepid. Camped on a small beach @ S end of Laguna de Los Hornos. The lake is nearly dried out, only a little semi stagnant water left. Best to carry water in from one of the streams a little above the lake. Last 11KM are on dirt roads, you could hitch easily if you want. Met 2 security guards, they were both friendly, no access problems if you are Southbound. Small campsite @ shop on way out. Amazing section, some tough uphill on sand but scenery is like Mars. Definitely use small gaiters or you will be emptying sand out of your shoes every 10 mins.
==Summary Table==
==Resupply==
You need to carry all the food for the entire trail. There is no food supply after Parque Ingles. If you meet arrieros at one of the Puestos you may ask for some goat or lamb meet but if you are not ready to take an entire or at least half an animal they may be reluctant to sell.
Refill your water supply at the marked river crossings and the camps. In between these waypoints your will find only ocasinally some trinking trickling water because water trickles away easily into the volcanic soil.
===Resupply Town===
===Access to Start===
The trail starts in the tiny village Radal near the cascade "Siete Tazas". During the main season in January and February several buses go from Molina and Curico to Radal and some even go all the way to Parque Ingles. Outside of the main season there is only one daily bus from Molina to Radal leaving in the afternoon from the rural bus station in Molina.
Update 12 Feb 2020 Frank: In summer there are 6 buses a day Molina-Parque Ingles.
Mon-Sat they leave Molina @ 10:20, 11:30, 12:40, 3PM, 6:15PM, 8:15 PM
Sunday Molina- Parque Ingles 7:45, 9:30, 2PM, 7:30PM, 10PM
2 hours to Parque Ingles, buses leave from terminal near main plaza in Molina.
Parque Ingles-Molina 7:10, 11, 1PM, 3:45PM, 4:45PM, 6:30PM Mon-Sat
Sun. 10:30, 1:30PM, 3:30PM, 5:45PM, 6:45PM
===Return from Finish===
Bus Termas El Medano - Talca
This trail section finished at the Route 115 to Talca. Big road with many cars.
===Escape Options===
==Permits, Entry Fees and Right-of-Way Issues==
* CONAF does register all trekkers at Parque Ingles (GPT01-WP004) but does not charge an entrance fee. Camp fires are not permitted within the national park that reaches from Radal (GPT01-WP001) to the Laguna las Ánimas (GPT01-WP013). * (Mar 2023) When starting from Vilches and going northbound, a permit to access the Volcano (or the Condor Circuit) is required. CONAF won't let you enter in Altos de Lircay without it. Call them to get the correct number. Moreover, you have to pay the entrance fee to the reserve and it is closed on Mondays in March.
==Regular Route==
'''Stage B: El Boslon Bolson to Laguna Mondaca'''
From El Bolson you get in one day to the Laguna Mondaca. If you partition this stage differently be aware that there are no inviting camp sites between the Laguna las Ánimas and the Laguna Mondaca. This stage should not be attempted in bad weather.
'''Stage C: Laguna Mondaca to Termas de Azufre'''
Going from the Laguna Mondaca to the Termas de Azufre makes a short relexing relaxing day and gives you pleanty plenty of time to enjoy Laguna Mondaca in the morning before leaving and the hot springs in afternoon and evening when arriving. If the sulfor smell at the hot spring bothers you, than you can camp on one of the meadows a bit further up.
'''Stage D: Termas de Azufre to Base Camp Descabezado Grande'''
The rather long day hike from the hot springs to the base camp Descabezado Grande requires reasonable reasonably good weather as you cross a 2700 m pass.
'''Optional Stage E: Summit Descabezado'''
The climb can be done in one day or split up in two. The disavantage of doing it in two days is the leak lack of a reliable water supply further up towards the summit once the snow is gone. If you do the climb in one day you may desire a rest day either before or after the climb. An extra day gives you also a buffer if the weather is not optimal for an ascent.
'''Stage G: Laguna Hornitos to Finish'''
From the Laguna Hornitos you can walk in one short day to the hydropower station Cipreses and the first bus stop on the Route 115. To the regular finish at the second bus stop on the Route 115 it’s a rather long day. If you do not want to arrive in Talca late in the evening you may opt to camp near the finish on the banks of the river Maule and take the a bus in morning.
===Regular Packrafting Route===
==Related Routes on Wikiexplora==
==Related Blogs and Online Publications==