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GPT06 - Volcán Descabezado

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{{Draft}}#REDIRECT [[File:18 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan GPT06 (Descabezado.PNG|thumb|1100px|center|In the huge ash field)]] {{RutaFormeRutaForm2
|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
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==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.
 
 
 
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[[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
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==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.
==Season Section Log==REPORT *Start Date: December 24GPT06 / Iris, 2019*Section: GPT 5 + 6 Southbound*Duration: 7 days*NameAlexis /Alias: Ian Hikes*Overview: So, I decided to combine GPT sections 5 and 6 in order to avoid a 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 the GPT in between sections GPT 01Mar 21-10. I went the first 25 / 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 hard to see where you would step. There was also an improvised bridge crossing the Colorado River that I used, and thought was safe to use. These two sections are dominated by a volcanic profile with much of the route on ash and volcanic rock. Most of the 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 hills everywhere and then disappearing into the sand.*Difficulties: It was slow going walking thru the sand, especially when hiking vertically. Exposure to the sun. 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.comNOBO / Vilches — Volcan – Parque Ingles
2020-Jan-09 / Bruno & Martin / RR SOBO /Parque Inglés to El Medano5 days Our last section on the GPT for this amazing section. year! We started in Parque Inglés in Radal 7 Tazas National Park. Had to wait for one more day Vilches Alto with the option 06-05 because of limited hiking permits towards El Bolsónwe rented horses with the arriero Jose Lopez. 80 daily permits allowed and delivered at 8:30 The beginning is placed in the morningReserva Nacional Altos de Lircay, which requires a permit to be minded on weekends when go until the park Volcan. The entrance fee is fullalso 7k pp. Followed Regular Route Laguna Las ÁnimasWe finished our first day at Camp, Azufre Hotsprings, Descabezado base camp, Laguna Caracol and then down to Los CipresesCONAF {06-05} [10. Cold section and bad weather towards the end, some rain and freezing wind2/1158]. Had to camp in Laguna Caracol waiting for the storm to pass and hike the last pass. The use of lightweight gaiters is advised for keeping I believe we mostly followed the sand out of your shoesGPS track.
On the second day, we continued with the horses until Hot Spring {06} [45.6/1881] (Banos del Blanquillo) still following the track. We then were disappointed because the arriero left us here whereas our agreement (clearly stated by messages before the rent) was to climb the volcano with the horses (it turns to be not possible, too steep).
Thankfully, we had an excess day of food so we could attempt the climb the next day. We also met Umberto, the guy staying in the refugio, who was extremely friendly. He told us to start the volcano climb early in the night to avoid heavy winds.
2019-Dec-25 / Tom & Maddie / RR SOBO / Parque Ingles to El MedanoOn Day 3 days, we started the ascent at 2am with our headlights. Very beautiful (6h30 later we were on the top, with the morning lights rewarding us and exposed) section. Lots of waterstunning landscape. The track from Los Cipreses to El Medano suffered from a few landslides meaning the route ascent was slower than anticipated. I would consider taking the road next time extremely tiresome (sand material), as there is no loss of scenery. We resupplied in El Medano by basically buying all always with volcanos, and it was very cold but the food crater and the views were very worth it. After a breakfast at the tienda (60000 CP for food for two people top, the descent, mostly running, took us about 2h. We rested for the next section)rest of day at Banos del Blanquillo and even got a sopapilla making class with Umberto. Selection was good enough
2019-Dec-18 / Tyler & America / Regular route from Vilches Alto5 DaysOn Day 4, we followed the RR in the beautiful Descabezado landscape. A Stunning sectionExpect no shade but stunning dunes of white sand. Vilches Alto made for a great optional start; rather than returning to Parque InglesThere is plenty of water during the day because you will cross at least 2 rivers that were not dry this late in the season. The trail is easy to follow (We came from Talca by bus - 2100 CPbecause that is the only one). Entrance fee was 6000 and camping 3000 PPis also part of the Circuit of the Condores. All trails were beautiful and However, after Ford {06} [29.4/2190], you have about a bit more trodden that sections beforedozen of options and the navigation until Hot Spring {06} [27. Arrieros at thermal pools 4/1986] (not hotHot Sping del Azufre) were welcoming and friendly for us to campis more challenging. We took decided to ignore the GPS and follow our sweet time in instinct - just aim for the beautiful sectionfumerolles. We bussed from There you can enjoy a hot bath in one of the first road access three hot natural pools (south of town Los Cipreses/ OH-MR-V@06-E-#001along some weird soft alguees) to Talca for a good re supply before the long next section, 2200 CP. Bus leaves this stop around 11.
2019-Dec-18 / Matus & Anna / Regular route from optional startWe combined sections On Day 5 and 6 via optional , we simply followed the RR until Parque Ingles. The trailis well marked until the end, you just have to enjoy multiple highlights in the landscape. GPT06 took Of note, when reaching El Bolsón, the CONAF ranger forbid us 2 days and bit to bath in the pools because it was too late (first day we did just 4km from 6th section3PM)and told us to leave the park before 5:30.I agree with everything what He was written in previous updates.Nice sandy trails. Mornings were freezing cold. No problems while crossing rivers. After optional start regular trail didn't correspond with any trailnot friendly and also checked the entrance tickets of Livan Ray. We finally took one on the right side got extremely lucky and after while they mergedcaught a bus leaving Parque Ingles when we reached it (it leaves at 5:00). And I don't know who was so commited, but thanks for marking the trail 😊
There is a small tienda with coke and crisps before entering This hike concludes our GPT adventure. We loved to start it riding horses to feel a bit more like the trails main road from Los Cipressuser. If you continue by main road toward El Medano there is restaurant Cordillera where we refueled again. Accomodation in El Medano. I will edit with ressuply options laterThe final day hiking and the volcano ascent were astonishing, truly one of (or even the) best section of our GPT.
2019* 03/02/2023 -Dec-14 08/ Martina & Ivo 02/ Regular Route Southbound (mainly)4 days for this section. As we came from GPT05 and didn't want to go all the way "back" to the Paso Las Animas2023 / RR + Descabezado SOBO / Louis, we tried the Optional Investigation Route which starts at Parque Ingles right at the other side (South) of Rio Claro. It leads through private property, so we went to the guard, showed him the CONAF Permit (we bought one just in case, and of course they said it's not possible to walk on the other side of the river), explained him that we would only hike through and gave him some cerezas. He informed his Colleagues via radio to let us pass. It was a nice and easy hike. Nothing to add to Linda's remarks for the rest of the trail.Rémi & Noé :
Linda // Start = 6 december 2019 at Parque Ingles // Regular Route //4 days Southbound // Finish = Las Termas El Medano // Our first trip on the GPT, plenty of water, we didnt carry more than 1.5L each. Here is our trip :
GENERAL FEELINGDay 1 - Laguna Las Animas - 18km - +1200m/-100mWe entered the parc illegally at 7:30 in the morning as some others hikers have done reading the wiki. We did this because the parc was full for the next 3 days. I can only advise you to book in advance on internet (conaf). We slept at a camping in front of the entrance for 7k CLP per person. Plenty of buses goes up there from Molina in 2 hours. At least a dozen. Same for going back. If you but your ticket online : if you sleep at El Bolson, you can enter the park until 3pm, if you go further with only the El Bolson ticket, you can entered until 11am only!So, we hiked until the Laguna las Animas, a rather long day for the first one.The camp on the beach was quite windy too.
Amazing section !!!! Incredible mineral landscapes as soon as you go beyond Laguna Las AnimasDay 2 - Termas de Azufre - 11km - +400m/-700mA short day, nice to enjoy the hot springs in the afternoon. It was tough because of The pass in the passes (and this morning was also my first hiking days and I carried very windy too much food ... ) and the ground around the volcanoes is sand ! So it makes each step even more difficult. I loved the contrast between the areas around the volcanoes and the Laguna Caracol is just one of the most beautiful place I've ever seen !!!
LOGISTICSDay 3 - Refugio El Blanquillo - 20km - +800m/-900mA long but beautiful day. Leave early the camp to avoid hot temperatures while ascending the pass. Well welcomed by the arrierio Umberto ! Very kind.
Day 4 - Bus from Molina Volcan Descabezado Grande - 16km - +2000m/-2000mWe did the ascent without our bags, we went back to El Radal (off season our camp in the night. It's long and weekdays = only one bus at 5pm hard. According to Umberto, 12h are needed in Molina that stops total, we did in El Radal10h. Weekend : it goes directly Same, Leave early to Parque Ingles and the schedule may also be different)avoid hot temperatures.
Day 5 - Hitchhiked Laguna los Hornitos - 20km - +900m/-900mAnother nice day, passing next to Laguna Caracol. The descent from El Radal 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 bath. Hard to Parque Inglesmaintain the pitch of the tent in the dry dirt.
Day 6 - First night in Los Cipreses - 15km - +100m/-1000mLast short day to end this beautiful section. The gravel road is a camping in Parque Ingles = 5000 bit boring but passing pickup are proposing you to get you down to the main road. Here, only one bus at 7am. And a little shop selling ice cream, chips and drinks. We hitchiked to El Colorado where plenty of buses are going down to Talca for 2 000 CLP (+ 400 CLPper bag)
- The day after, I had to register to CONAF. Office opening at 8:30 am. Entrance fee = 6000 CLP
Some people (5 or 6) were going to El Bolson for the day but after Laguna Las Animas, there was absolutely nobody till the end !
24/01 - Still snow when you go beyond the 2300 meters high30/01 / RR + Descabezado SOBO / Martial :
- Be careful First trip 6 days on GPT being a wonderfully intense experience ! Lunar landscapes, silent and remote, few but great people. No particular difficulty.Started park ingles with a mandatory 7000peso night at quiet camping near the river and bought ticket for Bolsón overnight 8$. Finally did not stay at Bolson a half day walk from entrance and camped in Laguna de las Animas instead. Great spot for Condors watching. After that follow Will’s advice and put on your mandatory gaiters till the end of the section ! + Walking on sand can be tough for the ankle. Don’t resist and don’t do too much !! Learned it the painfull way.. Trail visible but don’t get confused at termas Azufres especially if you try the (very) hot pools ! RR way is up the valley. Camp with water possible before the last pass Las Hornitos. The way down called « la Calle » is beautifull sandy dune remote desert. Exceptional. Aimed for Blanquillo refugio aka best basecamp for Descabezado intent. Meet Umberto the arriero at the hut and ask him where the termal pool and the drinking water are. He may be offended if you don’t show up and is a nice generous guy ! Also had a Chilean horse riding group intended the Descabezado so were a nice bunch by the camp fire. As weather window was fine, I decided to try a lot high camp in order to preserve weak foot from a very long ascent (10h). Took plenty of water as they are only glaciar dirty patches up there and aimed for Descabezado to Cerra Azul osm trail just as Nat and Tomas did (so i could have a chance to summit both also). Finally chose not to cross the nasty glaciar but found a very well sheltered highcamp here (-35.60569, -70.76147). Incredible sunset ! Not advisable in case of rain coming (a storm was growing in Argentina so stayed prepared for an emergency descent). Next day summited Descabezado at 11AM with no wind ideal conditions. Dive your front foot flat in sand just like snow climb when it gets to steep ! Nice ski descent sensations straight to the termas for a well deserved rest at the top and it makes it impossible termas ! Also met Carlos a local climbing half way up so we would share joy later at the camp :).Exit through RR is also nice but regreted haven’t camped here (-35.67102, -70.83649) for there was some playfull trouts to follow catch with my survival fishing kit !Beautiful vew from the GPS track pass to go downsandyland and then landscape changes and recommend OH variant C descending (less overgrown). I found my way on Trail not so visible till laguna los hornos witch i climbed volcano to enjoy the left when you face crater caldera. After that descent to los Cipreses is kind of boring and hot so was definitely happy to find a camping by the valley bridge after the gate with lovely Victorina and then got back her family here (-35.81524, -70.83224). They have been incredibly carring, fed me and brought me to the GPS tracktermas caves (also worth it) in El Medano !
- No problem to go out from the mine. Actually, workers I met on my way down to 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
- Mini market where you can find basic food (eggs, spaghetti, chocolate ...) in Las Termas El Medano
==Summary Table=={| border="1" style="border-collapse:collapse"|+'''GPT06: Volcán Descabezado'''| colspan="4" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| GPT06: Volcán Descabezado| colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Hiking| colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Packrafting|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"|Group| colspan="2" | B: Zona Arrieros|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Total|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|'''86.7 km'''|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|'''30 h'''|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| '''-'''|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"|'''-'''|-| style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"|Region| colspan="2" | Chile: Maule (VII)|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Trails (TL)|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|72.3 km|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|83.4%|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"|-|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Start| colspan="2" | Radal|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Minor Roads (MR)|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|14.4 km|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|*16.6%|style="background/01/23-color:#c2edfc;"| 25/01/23 / Natalie & Tomáš/ OH 06-|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Finish| colspan="2" | La Mina (Termas del Médano)|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Primary Roads (PR)|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Status| colspan="2" | Published 02 & Verified|style="background06-color:#bfbfbf;"| Cross-Country (CC)|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Traversable| colspan="2" | Jan - Mar (Maybe: Dec, Apr)|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Bush-Bashing (BB)|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"|-|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Packraft| colspan="2" | Only Burden|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Ferry (FY)|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"|-|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Connects 03 NOBO / Laguna Maule to| colspan="2" | GPT05, GPT07|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Investigation (I)|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Options| colspan="2" | 356 km (7 Options & Variants)|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Exploration (EXP)|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"|-|-| |style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Hiking|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Packrafting| rowspan="4" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| | colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Total on Water|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| '''-'''|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| '''-'''|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Attraction|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|5 (of 5)|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -| colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| River (RI)|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Difficulty|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|5 (of 5)|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -| colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Lake (LK)|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|-| style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"|Direction|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|Both ↓↑|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"|-| colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Fjord (FJ)|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"|-|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Comment| colspan="7" | Hiking: ↑ Permit required|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Character| colspan="7" | Packrafting: ↑ Permit required|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Challenges| colspan="7" | Forest, Alpine Terrain, Volcanic Terrain, Summit Ascents, Hot Springs, Mountain Pastures, Arrieros, Partly Overrun|}Vilches w/ volcans/ 10days
==Satellite Image Map====Elevation Profile==An extremely long description so my apologies but hopefully it will help someone. We Started in Laguna del Maule and ended in Vilches with inclusion of Descabezado, Azul, Descabezado Chico and Colorado.
==Section Planning Status==All fords super easy or jump-able. Only times water was scarce was Descabezado and Azul (technically there is melt water from glaciers at Azul), the afternoon around Descanezado Chico and also water was scarce around the Laguna des acquas caliente because I would not trust drinking that water (some springs are cold water though). Weather turned bad only once while we were climbing Azul, the change happened rapidly and we went from blue skies to total white out (~10m or less visibility) within an hour. Other than that weather was amazing, a little cold at night and a little warm in the day.
==Recommended Travel Period==Happy we started in Laguna del Maule and finished in Vilches. This traverse is best be hiked between December saved elevation gain and April. After a mild winter with less snow than usual you may already set out let us decide whether or not we had enough food in November but be aware that some rivers may be impassible high during snowmelt (in particular GPT01-WP018 and GPT01-WP019). If you plan the end to get up to the summit of the climb Descabezado Grande without carrying crampons you should have better chances at the end of December or later when most of the snow is gone, Azul, chico and for Tomáš Colorado.
==Benefits of Hiking and Packrafting====Recommended Travel Direction==Day1.The treck can be hiked Starting in either direction Talca, due to a certain someone (me) I accidentally sent Tomáš and I too Molina on a bus instead of "la mina" so our day was very messed up but doing it from South we still managed to take a bus to Colorado and hitchhike to North requires an entrence permit from the hydropower station Cipreses start of this route. Buses from Talca to la Mina go at; 7:00am, 1:00pm (See Permits and Entrance Feesonly to la Suiza), 3:00pm and 7:00pm. Therefore southbound is We took a bus to Colorado due to time and hitched the recommended directionrest of the way. The last hitch was in a snowplow truck and he dropped us off miraculously at the start of the trail and before any customs or checks.
==Section Length and Travel Duration==The OH-TL-V {06-02} (109.1). Straight away the trail can be hiked in 6 days but plan some contingency in case of bad weather or if you suddenly fall in love with one of is hard to see, do not take the amazing places road-looking trail on the route. If side of the climate does not favor youmountain because it ends, than you should not attempt stick to cross the passesgps. In this region bad weather normally does not last long so you are probably better off siting out However soon we were walking on the correct route through the sand and down to a bad daycreek with fun boulders.If you are tempted Easy to get up to the summit of the Descabezado Grande follow. After this first creek we followed option OH-CC-A (GPT0106-WP02802) add two more days{98} For only -5km until making camp in-between a river and and canal with flowing water. The climb can be done Bogs in one long day or split up in two days when camping one night this area slowed us down a bit further uplot.
==Suitable Section Combinations==Day2. OH- {06-02} -[ (93) & (86) ]This day seemed long, we crossed two passes, one small (-35.94909, -70.45347) and one much larger (-35.88855, -70.46776). I liked the entire area south of the second pass, many beautiful camp spots, water was available almost to the top of the pass and there is also a nice waterfall/swimming pool located roughly around (-35.90452, -70.45218). Trail to first pass was easy but trail between first and second was much more cross country, there are many animal tracks, I followed the gps and Tomáš followed a trail closer to the river and we both ended up at the same spot... After the second pass, the GPX goes cross-country right away, but one can follow a trail that goes left and later reconnects with GPx.
==Section Attractiveness====Section Difficulty==The isolation and After the high passes make this second pass there is a rather difficult but rewarding trail. Good orientational skill are required because hardly any signposts are placed small plateau and some parts of the trail are then it follows down a creek with water until you must cross country. ==Resupply==You need an east hill and go towards your first mountain puesto to carry all the food for the entire traileast (noone home). There is no food supply after Parque Ingles. If you meet arrieros at one only a little bit 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 here, better water at the marked river crossings creek you came from and the camps. In between these waypoints your will find only ocasinally some trinking water because water trickles away easily into the volcanic soilor a few creeks ahead.
===Resupply Town=======Shopping: Food========Shopping: Fuel========Shopping: Equipment========Services: Restaurants========Services: Laundry========Services: ATM From the puesto (-35.86707, -70.47589) there is a good trail that trvaerses the slope ahead. We should have camped but we continued. There were a few nice creeks that were passed along the way. We were forced to make a "make-shift" camp before hitting a much nicer plateau because it was dark and Money Exchange========Accommodation: Hostals I was not having a good day 😅. It is about 6 km between the puesto and Hotels========Accommodation: Cabañas========Accommodation: Camping========Transport: Ground Transport========Transport: Ferries========Transport: Shipping Services====the plateau.
===Resupply on the Trail===Day 3====LocationOH {06-02} [78.6] + [75.7] + [63.6]Easy day, Namesonly one small pass. There is an ex-carabiniero puesto at (-35.84277, Available Items -70.40285) and Services====a highlight was two rivers, one at (-35.76317, -70.42051) and one river at (-35.74734, -70.45623). The GPX is marked as trail a bit further than the actual trail goes (the trail continues to a puesto down-river). You need to go down a ridge and ford the river, there were some footsteps that can be followed. We walked near {06-02E} along a river filled with sand and not great for drinking but there is a creek that starts/ends here (-35.72759, -70.44125). We camped near this way point in the sand but it got windy at night, we wished we camped a bit further from the river in the little hills where it was considerably less windy.
==Access to Route and Return==Day4The last settlement on the trail is Parque Ingles about 10 km after RadalOH {06-02} [59. This is also the last opportunity to spoil yourself with a good meal in a restaurant and to buy some goodies6] + [29. On the trail that follows are only two occasionally used puestos; one at the Termas de Azufre (GPT011] + {06-WP020) and a second one at the Base Camp Descabezado Grande (GPT01-WP024).The first 20 km from Radal to El Bolson are a popular hiking destination for national tourists. Some go up to the Laguna las Ánimas but few continue beyond this point.The Base Camp Descabezado Grande is frequently visited by national and international tourists coming from Vilches Alto. Also horseback tours often stop and rest here.Hardly any hikers take the scenic trail from the Base Camp Descabezado Grande via the Laguna Caracol to the hydropower station Cipreses. It’s a hidden gem.02D}
===Access to Start===The trail starts in the tiny village Radal near the cascade "Siete Tazas"This day we passed a large pass (-35. During the main season in January 65200, -70.43356) via {06-02D}. This option was more direct and February several buses go from Molina involved a very short and Curico to Radal and some even go all the way to Parque Ingleseasy scramble onto a windy plateau. Outside Surprisingly lots of water up towards the main season there is only pass, last one daily bus from Molina to Radal leaving in being (-35.66343, -70.42666) , however the afternoon from the rural bus station water available had a lot of sand in Molinait, fyi. From camp we followed a cow trail until a lake like feature (-35.70057, -70.42733) and then went cross country. I hope my cairns marking the turn for {06-02D} survive.
===Return from Finish===Bus Termas El Medano After the pass the true Descabezado environment begins. We both made note of how terrible it would be to be on this plateau in bad weather, very open and CC. Next water source would be a couple of creeks here (- Talca35.61215, -70.42156). From a break at this creek we ended up going straight down the creek bed. Kind of exhausting mentally and would not be possible in early season due to water levels but it shot us out directly in line for making a green camp here (-35.56164, -70.44009).
10:30 Day 05OH {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 18:30then 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 06
OH {06-02} [20] + {06-02C Chico} + [4.5]
Descabozado Chico + Vulcan Colorado (Tomáš)
This Went up and around the crater of Descabozado Chico in the morning which I highly recommend. The crater is easy to walk around and gives an amazing 360 experience. The climb up is tedious but non-dangerous scree that makes for a super fast decent. Make sure you have enough water because water is scarce there. I saw a waterfall on the NE side the lake but did not go to it, Tomáš got water somewhere off trail section finished at around here (-35.51226, -70.65626) and I drank out of the Route 115 next lake -35.52036, -70.65873 (questionable, but nothing happened to Talcame). From the lake the next pass begins and I stupidly made Tomáš and I carry 5L of water up it because I did not think there would be water on the south side (both of us overlooking the river indicated on the map)...I was wrong, no water high up but lots of water down low. For the pass we opted not to follow the route because it was thick steep sand so we instead climbed a more solid ridge here (-35.52506, -70.66854). Tomáš went to continue up Vulcan Colorado and I boringly traversed to the normal pass and enjoyed a very fun sand ski down the south side. The Vulcan is a steep but not technical hike up, the crater can be walked around with a steep but fun descent on the other side in SW direction. This pass would be very tiresome climbing up due to sand. If you are coming from the opposite direction and do not trust the lagoon water then you should aim for (-35.51226, -70.65626) or bring water.
===Escape Options=====Permits, Entry Fees and RightEverything this day was CC. I found it to be the hardest day navigation-of-Way Issues==CONAF does register all trekkers at Parque Ingles (GPT01-WP004) wise but does still not charge an entrance feetroublesome. Camp fires are not permitted within We finished the national park that reaches from Radal (GPT01-WP001) to day in a nice valley before the Laguna las Ánimas next days climb here (GPT01-WP01335.55427, -70.70793). The water around this area is a bit sandy but better further up.
==Regular Route==Day 07 ===Regular Hiking Route===If you want to see the cascades Siete Tazas about 7 km after the start in Radal you are charged a rather high entrance fee depending if you are a national or a foreign tourist. If you don’t want to spend the money Last pass and the time don’t worry; you will see plenty more cascades for free on the Greater Patagonian Trail.{| class="wikitable"! style="text-align: left;" |Stage! style="text-align: left;" |Days! style="text-align: left;" |Stage End Point! style="text-align: left;" |Stage End Waypoint! style="text-align: left;" |Distance! style="text-align: left;" |Ascent ↑! style="text-align: left;" |Descent ↓! style="text-align: left;" |Time|-| A| 1| (Start to) El Boslon| Refuge (GPT01-WP011)| 20 km| 1180 m| 140 m| 06:10|-| B| 1| Laguna Mondaca| Camp (GPT01-WP016)| 16 km| 1000 m| 1210 m| 05:20|-| C| 1| Termas de Azufre| Hot Spring, Camp & Puesto (GPT01-WP020)| 8 km| 690 m| 180 m| 03:00|-| D| 1| Base Camp Descabezado Grande| Camp & Puesto (GPT01-WP024)| 19 km| 920 m| 1010 m| 06:00|-| E| 1-2| Optional: Climb to Summit Descabezado Grande| Camp & Puesto (GPT01-WP024)| 16 km| 2030 m| 2030 m| 08:00|-| F| 1-2| Laguna Hornitos and optional side trip to hidden lakes| Camp (GPT01-WP036)| 16 km| 1010 m| 900 m| 05:40|-| G| 1-2| Finish| Bus Stop (GPT01-WP043) or Bus Stop (GPT01-WP045)| 25 km| 170 m| 1430 m| 06:00|}New route possibly
From camp a trail existed to the pass at -35.55228, -70.73791. There was a little bit of snow at the top but since there were already steps made, it was zero problem. Lots of water on the SE of this pass but only a trickle of water on the NW side at -35.54575, -70.75672. This water trickle point is where we left the trail to make a short cut to Descabezado. To our surprise our route worked and in 4hrs we were making a camp at 2630m next to the approach trail to Descabezado, therefore saving a lot of time, distance and elevation. In our route there was only one difficulty and that was a deep gorge and creek "jump" at -35.57904, -70.77929. Personally I would not recommend this in early season because the consequence of falling in the river might take you down a waterfall and the traverse may otherwise be nasty if there are still snowfields around altitude 2700m. The gorge is fed by the glacier in the crater of Descabezado so in the morning it should be better but the water is very dirty.
'''Stage A: Start to El Bolson'''I drew the route on my photos of the pass if anyone wants them. Otherwise here is my description of our route.
If you leave in From the morning in Radal you can reach small trickle creek at -35.54575, -70.75672 head SW up the creek bed in one day the camp 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 refuge El Bolsonrocks. Parque Ingles After this pass I believe it is easiest to just go straight down and up like a good place half pipe rather than trying to traverse and keep elevation, we aimed for a lunch breakmiddle 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).
Day 8
Descabezado & Azul.
'''Stage B: El Boslon This is turning into a novel so I will keep this short. We left our tent in place and set off early to Laguna Mondaca'''do Descabezado and Azul as a day trip. Descabezado was straightforward, it seems the trail will change slightly every year depending on who makes the tracks (neither the route in oSM or GPT seem to follow the actual trail from about 2600 to 3300). If wanting to make the true summit it looks like you have to go down into the crater, cross the glacier and approach it from the other side. Coming down Descabezado was very fast but we made a huge mistake and left the GPT trail to follow the other osm route that heads east then west called "Descabezado Grande - Quizapu - cerro Azul".
From El Bolson you get 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 one 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 Laguna Mondacaway 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. If you partition this stage differently be aware that There were a foot print here and there are 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 inviting camp sites between difficulties. The base of Azul is beautiful with melt water if needed. We followed the Laguna las Ánimas 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 Laguna Mondacawind and time we had no desire to stretch our limits. This stage should not be attempted Weather moved in bad weatherfast 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 9.
'''Stage C: Laguna Mondaca From our camp in the ravine we headed CC and then onto the trail that lead to Termas de Azufre''the puesto at basecamp Blancquillo and from then on we were on a good trail. While walking down we opted to stay in sandals and just walk in the river, it was refreshing. We didn't have clean water until the valley bottom at the CONAF camp (valley El venado) where there was also lots of pear trees and yellow plum-like trees. Many people there (first people seen). We made camp at the river before the pass (Mirador del valle del venado) but the walk from the CONAF camp until then was slower than expected because it was along a river bed with confusing tracks.
Going from the Laguna Mondaca to the Termas de Azufre makes a short relexing day and gives you pleanty 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 upDay 10.
Good trail up and down from Mirador del valle del venado with lots of water and trees for shade. Took us almost half the time we thought it would take. Note that you cannot actually camp at campsites/restong areas on this trail after the Mirador. The CONAF guards asked us where we were coming from and when we said Laguna del Maule he just sounded impressed and let us go on our way. There was a decent restaurant with empanadas, beer ext near the bus stop . There was a posted schedule of the bus but it clearly did not follow this schedule so if you are there just ask the many locals around what time the bus comes, we caught the 1230 bus.
'''Stage D: Termas de Azufre to Base Camp Descabezado Grande'''Great trip, beautiful views and details and just the right amount of challenge.
The rather long day hike from the hot springs to the base camp Descabezado Grande requires reasonable good weather as you cross a 2700 m pass.
* 2023-Jan-20-23 / SOBO / RR / Ondrej / Parque Inglés - El Medano / 3.5 days
'''Optional Stage EI got to Parque Inglés from Santiago de Chile by taking a train to Curico (advice: Summit Descabezado'''if you want to travel by train, buy a ticket online at least 2 days in advance as it books out quickly). From Curico I took a blue collectivo to Molina and then a bus to Parque Ingles.
The climb can be done in one day or split up in two. The disavantage of doing it in two days is At the leak of park entrance I was turned away by a CONAF officer because I bought a reliable water supply further up towards “day trip” ticket (El bolson - para día) and not the summit once one with overnight camping. For the snow is goneticket I bought they allow entry only by 11:00am. If you do 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 climb in other one day you may desire a rest day either before or after , it was booked out for the climb. An extra day gives you also a buffer if next two days, so the weather advice is not optimal for an ascent.book early and the right ticket type (el bolson - camping)!
I ended up camping at the Rocas Basilicas for the night.
'''Stage FOn the first hike day hopped the gate to the park at 7: Base Camp Descabezado Grande 00. No one was there so no issues. I hiked to Thermas de Azufre. It was a very long day. There is no shade at all after El Bolson. I made a provisional shade using my tent’s footprint during lunchbreaks. Once I arrived to the Azufre hotsprings, a few arrieros were there. I decided to Laguna Hornitos'''camp further up the river.
This stage can be On the second day I hiked in one day. Alternatively you may partition this stage in two if you want to explore the hidden lakes after the Laguna Caracol or Refugio Blanquillo, met a settler who resides there for three months each year (if you simply need a more relaxing day after you got up to I understood correctly). The scenery before the summit refugio was otherwoŕldy and beautiful. Gaiters, good hat, sunscreen and sunglasses were my most loved pieces of gear. I camped at the Descabezado Grandefirst “camp” waypoint after Refugio Blanquillo. There is a suitable Amazing place to camp site about 2 km after the Laguna Caracol in (but no grass), with a wide open treeless valley. The pass between this camp site good stream and even some small shade thanks to the Laguna Hornitos should not be done in poor weatherbushes.
My third day was quite straightforward, I made it almost to Los Cipresses but decided to camp close to the last “water” checkpoint, shortly before the gate with the guard. It was alright but I would recommend walking all the way to the shop and camp there for the night.
'''Stage G: Laguna Hornitos On the fourth day I walked through the gate with the security guard. I also met a number of the power station workers and all were friendly. We waved at each other. The guard at the gate was nice, took my passport number and name. Once at the shop I found it was closed (9am). I needed to Finish'''get to El Medano to join GPT07 and decided to continue hiking through Los Alamos. It might have been to early (10am) as also the almacén in Los Alamos was closed. The road after Los Almacén was uneventful and a bit sketchy at places, so I forded the river at the “bridge” waypoint after Los Alamos to get to the main road and hitchike to El Medáno. Got a ride in approx 20 min. El Medáno is a great base - the thermals are nice and there is an electricity socket next to the toilets. They have shade for the tent too. There is also a restaurant with filling foods and a small shop.
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 Overall a rather long day. If you do not want to arrive in Talca late in fantstic section but I wasn’t expecting the evening you may opt heat to camp near the finish on the banks of the river Maule and take the a bus in morning.be that oppresive!
===Regular Packrafting Route===* 5 days, 75 miles, 15K ft ascent,Not applicableDec. 31-Jan 3, 2023 David and ErikaSOBOGet to TH Parque ingle before 1:00 pm, otherwise they close it for entrance. We did get internet and got the correct CONAF ticket -the one heading to El Bolsón. Once you get out of the park and into the Cuesta Las Anima, the wild parts begin. Hope you got your dirty girl gaiters; cause you’re going to need them. Sand city. Gaiters worked great. Remote and desolately beautiful. Water up at the end of Laguna del Caracol, at the river that comes out of the ground, you have a dry climb ahead. Walk out was straightforward. Got a lift from ENEL employee.
==Optional Routes==
==Investigations and Explorations==
==Links to other Resources==
==Alerts and Logs of Past Seasons==
==Older information for review==
[[File:01 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, El Bolsón.jpg|thumb|El Bolsón]]
[[File:02 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Leaving El Bolsón.jpg|thumb|Leaving El Bolsón]]
[[File:03 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg|thumb|GPT 06]]
[[File:04 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Laguna Las Ánimas.jpg|thumb|Laguna Las Ánimas]]
[[File:05 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Pass 2560 m.PNG|thumb|Pass 2560 m]]
[[File:06 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Approaching Laguna Mondaca.PNG|thumb|Approaching Laguna Mondaca]]
[[File:07 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Laguna Mondaca.jpg|thumb|Laguna Mondaca]]
[[File:08 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, that bypasses Laguna Mondaca.PNG|thumb|Bypasses Laguna Mondaca]]
[[File:09 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg|thumb|GPT 06]]
[[File:11 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Termas de Azufre.jpg|thumb|Termas de Azufre]]
[[File:12 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg|thumb|GPT 06]]
[[File:13 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg|thumb|GPT 06]]
[[File:16 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg|thumb|GPT 06]]
[[File:17 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg|thumb|GPT 06]]
===Waypoints==={| class="wikitable"! style="text* 2022-align: left;" width="268" | Waypoint Name and Waypoint Code! style="textDec-align: left;" |Comment|28-| Start (GPT01-WP001)| Start in Radal at final bus stop. Only in January and February some busses continue to Parque Ingles.|-| Shop (GPT01-WP002)| Small shop with basic supplies in Radal. Good to get a beer and some extra goodies for the night but not to supply you for the trip.|-| Camp $ (GPT01-WP003)| Nice, reasonable priced camp site in Radal. Recommen¬ded place for the first night if arriving in the evening.|-| Shop & Restaurant (GPT01-WP004)| Parque Inglés with kiosk and a cosy restaurant about 10 km after the starting point. Last chance to enjoy the pleasures of civilisation before heading into the wilderness.|-| Diversion, CONAF & Camp $ (GPT01-WP005)| The hiking trail starts left. You should register at the CONAF office. There is a camp site nearby.|-| River Crossing (GPT01-WP006)| Easy river crossing.|-| River Crossing (GPT01-WP007)| Easy river crossing.|-| River Crossing (GPT01-WP008)| Easy river crossing.|-| River Crossing (GPT01-WP009)| Easy river crossing.|-| Camp (GPT01-WP010)| There are some nice camp sites on the meadows of El Bolson. Inside the national park CONAF does not permit camp fires.|-| Refuge (GPT01-WP011)| Basic refuge in El Bolson that can shelter for up to 4 persons.|-| Pass 2260 m (GPT01-WP012)| First pass with nice view back into the Valle del Indio. After this pass comes a 2 km levelled section before ascending to the second pass.|-| Lake (GPT01-WP013)| Laguna Las Ánimas. You may camp at the lake but there is little shelter from wind.|-| Water (GPT01-WP014)| Clear fresh water.|-| Pass 2560 m (GPT01-WP015)| Second pass with nice view towards Laguna Mondaca.|-| Camp (GPT01-WP016)| Probably the best camp spot near Laguna Mondaca with water, fire wood and some wind protection.|-| Lake (GPT01-WP017)| Laguna Mondaca.|-| River Crossing (GPT01-WP018)| Difficult river crossing during snowmelt and after heavy rain. The river often changes it's bed therefore look for the optimal place to cross. Yon need to cross the river to avoid rocky terrain ahead.|-| River Crossing (GPT01-WP019)| Difficult river crossing during snowmelt and after heavy rain. The river often changes it's bed therefore look for the optimal place to cross.|-| Hot Spring, Camp & Puesto (GPT01-WP020)| Termas de Azufre. Excellent hot spring with several small pools. You may need to adjust the temperature by regulating the hot water inlet flow. No fire wood but you may heat water and food at the hot steam vents (follow the noise). Good camp site if you tolerate the sulphur smell. The posteros arrive in January.|-| River Crossing (GPT01-WP021)| Moderate difficult river crossing. Yon need to cross the river to avoid steep loose pumice fields ahead.|-| River Crossing (GPT01-WP022)| Easy river crossing.|-| Pass 2700 m (GPT01-WP023)| The highest point of the entire Greater Patagonian Trail (apart from the summit of the Descabezado Grande).|-| Camp & Puesto (GPT01-WP024)| Base Camp Descabezado Grande. Probably the best camp spot in this area. You best take water from the spring on the right side of the river about 20 to 30 m from this waypoint. Frequently visited area. Base camp for climbing the Volcan Descabezado. Basic stone shelter occasionally used by local posteros and horseback guides.|-| Hot Spring (GPT01-WP025)| One lukewarm pool at the Base Camp Descabezado Grande.|-| Water ? (GPT01-WP026)| Possible access to water on the way to the summit. May be unreliable and depending on snowmelt. Please verify and report to trekking guide author.|-| Cross (GPT01-WP027)| Cross near the summit.|-| Summit 3900 m (GPT01-WP028)| Summit of the Descabezado Grande.|-| River Crossing & Camp (GPT01-WP029)| Astonishing oasis in the middle of a volcanic desert. Good camp site with water, fire wood and wind protection.|-| Lake (GPT01-WP030)| Nearly 3 km long drainless lake Laguna Caracol in the middle of pumice and lava.|-| Lake (GPT01-WP031)| Hidden lake in volcanic crater that can be seen from the next pass.|-| Camp (GPT01-WP032)| Camp site without fire wood and wind protection. Water is probably best taken from the spring 300 m upstream.|-| Water (GPT01-WP033)| Clear fresh water spring.|-| Lake (GPT01-WP034)| Hidden lake that can be seen from the next pass.|-| Pass 2540 m (GPT01-WP035)| Pass with impressive view.|-| Camp (GPT01-WP036)| Probably the best camp site in this area and the only one with a meadow. Sufficient water and fire wood. The lake further down is dusty and without fire wood.|-| River Crossing (GPT01-WP037)| Easy river crossing.|-| Lake (GPT01-WP038)| Laguna Hornitos that is dammed up by the Crater Hornitos. You can easily ascent to the summit of the crater (60 m climb).|-| Trail Head (GPT01-WP039)| Trail head (or end). Turn right onto the hydropower station road.|-| Water ? (GPT01-WP040)| Possible access to water.|-| Gate (GPT01-WP041)| Unmanned gate that may be locked. Pedestrians may pass on the right side of the gate if locked.|-| Gate ? (GPT01-WP042)| Gate of hydropower station that was not used by trekking guide author. Please verify and report to author. You probably can leave anytime but you need a permit from the hydropower station for entering.|-| Bus Stop (GPT01-WP043)| Unmarked bus stop on the Route 115 to Talca.|-| Gate (GPT01-WP044)| Manned main gate of hydropower station Cipreses. You can leave anytime but you need a permit from the hydro¬power station for entering. You may ask the leaving employees for a ride to Talca.|-| Bus Stop (GPT01-WP045)| Unmarked bus stop on the Route 115 to Talca.|}29 / SOBO / RR / Tomáš
===Tracks==={| class="wikitable"! style="text-align: left;" width="105" | Track Name! Comment|-| GPT01-TR001-2| Take the public gravel road from Radal to Parque Ingles. Only few vehicles use this road but traffic increases I connected in January and February.|-| GPT01-TR002-1| The track starts left at the entrance of Parque Ingles. The national park trail Thermas Azufre from Radal to El Bolson is well main-tained and clearly visible with some signposts and marksGPT 05. After El Bolson the trail occasionally splits and peters out so try to follow the GPS trek when in doubt until reaching the 2560 m high pass. At the pass do not descent the well visible trail that keeps right but follow the GPS trek that descents directly towards the Laguna Mondaca. During the descent the trail is partially only vaguely visible.|-| GPT01-TR003-0| From the camp side (GPT01-WP016) you can cross the vast sediment field to the Laguna Mondaca.|-| GPT01-TR004-1| Return 1.4 km on the same trail I recommend it as you arrived.|-| GPT01-TR005-0| Cross the pumice field and look for a suitable location to cross the smaller valley aheadcamping spot. There is not trail clearly visible nor required. Keep going over I have seen the pumice and sediment field until reaching the first challenging river crossing (GPT01-WP018). The river seams to change frequently its bed so look yourself for a suitable location to cross the river and do not trust on the waypoint. Continue on the sediment field until the second crossing (GPT01-WP019). Look again for a suitable location to cross the river yourself. After the second river crossing you need to head up the ridge in front tracks of you. The first few meters of the trail people staying on this ridge were lost during a recent landslide. Therefore you need to find your way up to ridge and trail yourself.|-| GPT01-TR006-1| Follow the generally well visible trail until reaching the hot springs (GPT01-WP020). Continue on this trail until getting to the river crossing (GPT01-WP021). Do not evade the river crossing by continuing on the trail on the same western side. This trail will later disappear in a steep pumice slope. Follow the mostly well visible trail on the other side until crossing the river again (GPT01-WP022). The trail now rises to the 2700 m high pass and slowly descents after the pass. The generally well visible trail will lead you eventually to the base camp of the Descabezado Grande. If you want valley but I think it is better to make a campfire you may collect some firewood in the sediment field starts about 1 km before the camp. There ford, there is little firewood at the camp.|-| GPT01-TR007-0-X| Several trails lead up to the summit of the Descabezado Grande. During the ascent you should generally prefer the the more solid rocky parts. During the descent the loose pumice fields allow you to slide down with less effort.|-| GPT01-TR008-1| A good anoce trail heads into the 4 km wide lava river. You need to leave the main trail at the oasis in the middle of the lava flow after crossing the small river (GPT01-WP029). Get up the hillside towards your left. A vaguer trail continues through the remaining lava field to the Laguna Caracol. Pass the Laguna Caracol there on the right eastern side and follow the meandering river the feed the lake. After the spring of this river turn left and cross the wide open area. Here the trail peters out until the trail forms again at the ascent towards the pass (GPT01-WP035). Just before the pass leave the main trail and follow the GPS track towards the left.|-| GPT01-TR009-0| From the pass (GPT01-WP035) several vague tracks lead down. You may either look for the regular trail or follow the GPS track. The GPS track keeps on the left until it descents in There is a steep pumice slope towards the river. Here the GPS track joints the regular trail.|-| GPT01-TR010-1| The trail continues on the left side of the river until reaching the Laguna Hornitos. The trail crosses the river in a wide sediment field. Pass the lake place with and the crater Hornitos on the right and decent until reaching the hydropower station road in the valley far down.|-| GPT01-TR011-2| Follow the rarely used gravel road towards the hydropower station Cipreses. Once you reach the now unpopulated settlement you have to choose between two options.|-| GPT01-TR012-2| Option 1: You can take the 10 km dirt road to the regular trail section end island where the next part of the Greater Patagonian Trail starts. This gets you I needed to the more distant bus stop remove my shoes just for about three meters (GPT01-WP043).|-| GPT01-TR013-2-X| Option 2: Alternatively you can take the shortest way to the Route 115 if you want to return early. This gets you to the closest bus stop (GPT01-WP045). Alternatively you can wait stream was not strong enough for lift at the power station main gate (GPT01-WP044).|-| GPT01-TR014-4-X| Option 2: If you took the short way me to keep the Route 115 and you still want to complete the entire trail than you need to walk 9 km shoes on the paved Route 115). Not recommended!|}
===Image Gallery===<gallery> File:19 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan DescabezadoI took a detour to the lake at the pass - nice.PNGFile:20 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan DescabezadoNo snow anymore.PNGFile:21 Greater Patagonian TrailReached the Refugio Blanquillo (which is a puesto, Volcan Descabezado.jpgFile:23 Greater Patagonian Trailan arriero had two dogs and a thousand shep there), Volcan Descabezado.PNGFile:24 Greater Patagonian Trailmet a group of tourists oj horses and two Chilean hikers there, Volcan Descabezadoso crowded all of a sudden.jpgFile:25 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan DescabezadoThe pool there is indeed lukewarm.jpgFile:26 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Leaving The water from the stream is said not to be good - I filtered it (for the Base Camp Descabezado Grandefirst time on GPT) and was fine.jpg|Leaving But if not climbing the Base Camp Descabezado GrandeFile:27 Greater Patagonian Trailvolcano, Volcan Descabezado, Hot springs I would recommend to camp 2 km further at Base Camp Descabezado Grandethe next water source.jpg|Hot springs at Base Camp Descabezado GrandeFile:28 Greater Patagonian TrailI no longer carry water with me and just drink a lot when I find a source, Volcan Descabezado.jpgFile:29 Greater Patagonian Trailthere is a lot of them, Volcan Descabezadoeven in the semidesert (the sand is actually white pumice from the volcanoes).jpgFile:31 Greater Patagonian TrailIt is quite dusty, Volcan Descabezadomy hands got dry and that normally does not happen to me.jpgFile:32 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGFile:33 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgFile:34 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGFile:35 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGFile:37 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgFile:38 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGFile:39 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgFile:40 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGFile:41 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGFile:43 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Camp near Laguna Los Hornitos.jpg|Camp near Laguna Los HornitosFile:44 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Laguna Los Hornitos.PNG|Laguna Los HornitosFile:45 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Laguna Los Hornitos.PNG|Laguna Los HornitosFile:46 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgFile:47 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgFile:48 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg</gallery>I agree with the recommendation to apply sunscreen at least three times a day!
==Related Routes The second day I walked all the way to the main road. Stthe pass, there is still a bit of snow but white manageable. Going down from the lake, ghere is no water until around half or one third of the minor road in the valley, beware. Walking-wise, this was the easiest section on Wikiexplora====Related Blogs GPT for me. At the mainroad, the camping at the shop after the bridge was closed. I hitched somebody in he truck who knew the owners, called them and Online Publications==[[category:Greater Patagonian Trail]]they came to open it for me. 5000 pesos but I gave the lady 10000 as she had to drive here tonopen the aging for me. There is electricity and cold shower and shadow. Almost nothing at the shop. The bus is said to leave at seven. I slept and now will try hitchhiking.
{{Draft}}[[File:18 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado*20.PNG|thumb|1100px|center|In the huge ash field]]{{RutaForme|Actividad=Trekking|País=Chile|CiudadesChile=Talca|BellezaEscenica=|Atractivos=Vistas panorámicas|Duracion=días|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- 24. Dec 2022 / Will / SOBO, Volcan Descabezado.jpg|ComentariosImagen=Towards Azufre hot springs|KMLZ=GPT06 Parque Inglés - Volcán Descabezado.kmz|TipoDeMap=HYBRID|ComentariosMapa={{GPT KMZ}}}}{{Table all GPTs}}Los Cipreses
==Recent Alerts and Suggestions==Drinking the water of Amazing trail! It's quite desolate but the hot springs is not recommended because it can upset your stomachlandscape varies enough to always keep things interesting. Better take fresh water from Trudging up 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 sandy hills could be demoralizing, but getting to spend one night higher run down the other side more than made upfor it. You may refill your supplies with Water was still plentiful though not much snow near was left, I only had to cross a few small patches. Thankfully heat wasn't a problem at all for me, I even felt cold a few times with the summitaltitude and wind.
==Season Section Log==2019-Dec-18 / Tyler & America / Regular route Caught the 5pm bus from Vilches Alto5 Days. A Stunning section. Vilches Alto made Molina to Radal for 3000 pesos, then a great optional start; rather than returning to Parque Ingles. (We van came from Talca by bus - 2100 CP). Entrance fee was 6000 and camping a few minutes later to take us to parque inglés for another 3000 PP. All trails were beautiful and Was nice to meet a bit more trodden that sections before. Arrieros at thermal pools (not hot) bunch of Chilean hikers, who were welcoming all going to El Bolson and friendly for us to campback. We took our sweet time in camped at the beautiful section. We bussed from the first road access (south of town Los Cipreses/ OH-MR-V@06-E-#001) Rocas Basílicas campsite right at parque inglés, 7000 pesos next to Talca for a good re supply before the long next section, 2200 CP. Bus leaves this stop around 11beautiful river.
2019-Dec-18 / Matus & Anna / Regular route from optional startWe combined sections 5 and 6 via optional trailI had phone signal at parque inglés, so I bought the pass online for 8 USD. GPT06 took us 2 days and bit (first day we did just 4km from 6th section).I agree with everything what There was written in previous updates.Nice sandy trails. Mornings were freezing cold. No problems while crossing rivers. After optional start regular trail didn't correspond with any trail. We finally took no one on at the right side Conaf office at 7 30 the next morning, so I just hopped the gate and after while they mergedwalked through. And I don't know who was so commited, but thanks for marking the trail 😊
There is I ran into a small tienda with coke and crisps before entering a main road from Los Cipressfew arrieros relaxing at the Azufre hot springs, the only people I saw along the trail. If you continue by main road toward El Medano there is restaurant Cordillera where we refueled again. Accomodation in El MedanoThey were friendly but it was tough to understand their heavy Chilean Spanish. They said I will edit could camp with ressuply options laterthem but there wasn't a ton of room so I walked on.
2019-Dec-14 / Martina & Ivo / Regular Route Southbound (mainly)4 days for this sectionThere were some geysers shooting up from the muddy riverbank near the gpx track so I took a wider route around. As we came from GPT05 and didn't want An arriero also told me to go all take a trail higher up along the way "back" dunes so I followed that to the Paso Las Animas, we tried the Optional Investigation Route which starts at Parque Ingles right at the other side (South) of Rio Claroford. It leads through private property, The ford looked tough so we went to the guard, showed him the CONAF Permit (we bought one just in case, and of course they said it's not possible to walk on I kept walking 2ish km along the other side of the river), explained him that we would only hike through and gave him some cerezasuntil I could easily hop across. He informed his Colleagues via radio to let us pass. It But it was a nice and easy hike. Nothing to add to Linda's remarks for the rest of the trailslow going, probably not worth it.
Linda // Start = 6 december 2019 at Parque Ingles // Regular Route //4 days Southbound // Finish = Las Termas El Medano // I ended up having to camp on a random sand dune. I had some trouble getting my tent to stay up tied to rocks, since I couldn't get stakes in. I'd definitely recommend using tieouts you can really secure to rocks, or even a freestanding tent.
GENERAL FEELINGThe rest of the hike went smoothly. I easily made it to los cipreses in three days of hiking from parque inglés. The guard was super friendly, inviting me in and giving me a bunch of water. I camped across the street from the shop near the bus stop, ask at the shop if you want to camp there. The guy running the camping was also super nice, he messaged the bus driver and told me it would be at 9 or 9 30 the next morning, because it was a Saturday (it was also Christmas eve). The bus ended up showing up at 9 45, and costed 3200 pesos to Talca.
Amazing section !!!! Incredible mineral landscapes as soon as you go beyond Laguna Las Animas. It The side trip up Volcan Los Hornitos was tough because of the passes (and this was also my first hiking days and I carried too much food ... ) and the ground around the volcanoes is sand ! So very worth it makes each step even more difficult. I loved the contrast between the areas around the volcanoes , there's a fairly gradual trail up and the Laguna Caracol is you can just one of the most beautiful place sprint straight down. Ididn've ever seen !!! t even need to bring any water (just some gummy bears).
LOGISTICSI got by without gaiters, but bring them if you can. I should have used more sunscreen, the reflection off the sand is strong.
- Bus from Molina to El Radal (off season and weekdays = only one bus at 5pm in Molina that stops in El Radal. Weekend : it goes directly to Parque Ingles and the schedule may also be different)
* 2022- Hitchhiked from El Radal to Parque InglesDec-20 / SOBO / RR / 2 days / Martin & Helena
- First night Joining section 6 directly from the previous one with a little challenging connection trail (see our comment from section 5), we continued to the Hot Spring del Azufre. On the way there is one steep traverse. We used hot spring to cook our rice which really saved us as we run out of gas. The landscape on the whole section is amazing, we really enjoyed it! Ascent to the pass is nice and gradual, hiking in the sand is a camping little slower, but the opposite when going down. We camped at the El Estadio, almost no wind that day, great place to sleep . In the morning we continued on a nice and easy trail, great views around the volcanos… short break by the laguna thats great for swimming. We camped a little before the camp marked in Parque Ingles = the gps, there is one place, probably used by arrieros, with a fireplace and a few rocks around it. Being out of the gas we set a fire using wood that was already in there and some others we gather during the day. The view to the volcanos must be one of the best we have seen here so far! The next day we continued to the last Hornitos pass and through the valley, again really nice hiking on a clear trail. Last few kms on the road and since we missed the only bus to Talca that is leaving early in the morning (7:00) and did not have luck with hitchhiking, we stayed in a camp right next to the road. Its just a few meters before it, in the same direction we came from. On the left side is a house with some old advertisment sign (coca-cola or similir) on its fence, and the lady there has a small shop. The camp is on the other side - cold shower, toilets, electricity and access to the river, all for 5000 CLPfor 2 people. We even got sandwiches for dinner as there was no other place around to eat. Overall, when combining both sections we recommend to plan carefully, but its definitely worth the effort, especially this section 6.
- The day after, I had to register to CONAF. Office opening at 8Contact:30 am. Entrance fee = 6000 CLPSome people (5 or 6) were going to El Bolson for the day but after Laguna Las Animas, there was absolutely nobody till the end !@martin_hanzelka @helenneka
- Still snow when you go beyond the 2300 meters high
*14. - 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 down16. I found my way on the left when you face the valley and then got back to the GPS trackDec 2022 / Anna&Christopher / SOBO, Parque Inglés - Los Cipreses
- No problem to go out from the mine. ActuallyThe section is pretty tough, workers I met on my way down to Los Cipreses suggestedto drop me by car to the main roadbut beautiful with a quite unique landscape. We definetly would do it again. The guard was just smiling when he saw me in the car and when I told him I was hiking
- Mini market where you can find basic food (eggsRecomendations: bring lots of suncreme, spaghettia good hat, chocolate gaiters...) in Las Termas El Medano
==Summary Table=={| border="1" style="border-collapseHow to get there:collapse"|+'''GPT06: Volcán Descabezado'''| colspan="4" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| GPT06: Volcán Descabezado| colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Hiking| colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Packrafting|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"|Group| colspan="2" | B: Zona Arrieros|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Total|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|'''86.7 km'''|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|'''30 h'''|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| '''-'''|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"|'''-'''|-| style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"|Region| colspan="2" | Chile: Maule We took a bus from Santiago (VIIterminal at the metro station Universidad de Santiago)|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Trails (TL)|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|72to Curico.3 km|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|83Across the street from the bus terminal in Curico leaves a blue bus to Molina for 1k CLP.4%|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"|-|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Start| colspan="2" | Radal|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Minor Roads (MR)|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|14From Molina we hitchhiked to Parque Inglés.4 km|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|16You have to be there before 3 pm to be allowed to hike up to El Bolson. To camp they charge 8k CLP p.p and the park entry is also 8k CLP p.p.6%|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Finish| colspan="2" | La Mina (Termas del Médano)|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Primary Roads (PR)|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Status| colspan="2" | Published & Verified|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Cross-Country (CC)|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Traversable| colspan="2" | Jan - Mar (Maybe: Dec, Apr)|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Bush-Bashing (BB)|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"|-|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Packraft| colspan="2" | Only Burden|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Ferry (FY)|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"|-|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Connects to| colspan="2" | GPT05, GPT07|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Investigation (I)|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Options| colspan="2" | 356 km (7 Options & Variants)|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Exploration (EXP)|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"|-|-| |style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Hiking|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Packrafting| rowspan="4" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| | colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Total on Water|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| '''-'''|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| '''-'''|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Attraction|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|5 (of 5)|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -| colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| River (RI)|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Difficulty|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|5 (of 5)|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -| colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Lake (LK)|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|-| style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"|Direction|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|Both ↓↑|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"|-| colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Fjord (FJ)|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"|-|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Comment| colspan="7" | Hiking: ↑ Permit required|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Character| colspan="7" | Packrafting: ↑ Permit required|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Challenges| colspan="7" | Forest, Alpine Terrain, Volcanic Terrain, Summit Ascents, Hot Springs, Mountain Pastures, Arrieros, Partly Overrun|}
==Satellite Image Map==The first day we started early from El Bolson. From midday on it was super tough due to the white sand which makes walking really tiring and reflects the sun which makes it super hot without shade. The next day was pretty similar.==Elevation Profile==The whole section there was plenty of water. There was no much snow left at the passes, so we had no trouble without spikes.On the last day, after arriving to the dirtroad (8 km from los Cipreses), we got offered a ride after a while and the guy brought us directly to El Médano.The shop there has pasta, rice, bread, tomato salsa, mayo, chips, biscuits/chocolate and suncreme (but quite pricey).In El Médano we camped for 6k CLP p.p.
==Section Planning Status==
==Recommended Travel Period==
This traverse is best be hiked between December and April. After a mild winter with less snow than usual you may already set out in November but be aware that some rivers may be impassible high during snowmelt (in particular GPT01-WP018 and GPT01-WP019). If you plan to get up to the summit of the Descabezado Grande without carrying crampons you should have better chances at the end of December or later when most of the snow is gone.
==Benefits *3 to 6 of Hiking and Packrafting====Recommended Travel Direction==The treck can be hiked in either direction but doing it from South to North requires an entrence permit from the hydropower station Cipreses (See Permits and Entrance Fees). Therefore southbound is the recommended directionDecember 2022 / Véronica / GTP06 RR SOBO / 3.5 days
==Section Length and Travel Duration==The trail can be hiked in 6 days but plan some contingency in case of bad weather or if you suddenly fall in love with one of the amazing places on the route. If the climate does not favor you, than you should not attempt to cross the passes. In this region bad weather normally does not last long so you are probably better off siting out a bad day.If you are tempted to get up to the summit of the Descabezado Grande (GPT01Route: Parque Inglés -WP028) add two more days. The climb can be done in one long day or split up in two days when camping one night a bit further up.Laguna Ánimas - Termas del Azufre - Termas del Blanquillo - Laguna del Caracol - Laguna de los Hornos - Los Cipreses
==Suitable Section Combinations==A beautiful, remote section of true mountain wilderness. It took me 4 days, but only 2 hours hiking the dirt road to Los Cipreses on the last day (so very doable in 3 days). The only people I saw were a couple of arrieros at Termas del Blanquillo who told me they hadn't had a winter as snowy as this one in over 10 years. I was glad to have my microspikes for the vast snow fields near/on the passes. A couple places would have felt quite unsafe without them.
==Section Attractiveness====Section Difficulty==The isolation and the high passes make this a rather difficult but rewarding trail. Good orientational skill are required because hardly any signposts are placed and some parts of the trail are cross country. ==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 water because water trickles away easily into the volcanic soil.Notable tidbits:
===Resupply Town=======Shopping: Food========Shopping: Fuel========Shopping: Equipment========Services: Restaurants========Services: Laundry========Services: ATM Took a bus from Molina at 5pm (on a Friday) to El Radal, then hitchhiked to Parque Inglés. I camped there the first night for 7000 pesos. Pricey, but at least I had a beautiful and Money Exchange========Accommodation: Hostals and Hotels========Accommodation: Cabañas========Accommodation: Camping========Transport: Ground Transport========Transport: Ferries========Transport: Shipping Services====secluded spot by Rio Claro.
===Resupply on The stretch between Las Ánimas Pass and Termas de Azufre had some sketchy traverses across disintegrating scree slopes that were downright nerve-wracking. I suppose if you go down to Laguna Mondaca, then back up to the Trail=======LocationTermas, Namesyou may not encounter this hazard. But I did get to observe a condor soar above my head on thermals for an hour as he surveilled his domain, Available Items and Services====that was super cool.
==Access to Route and Return==The last settlement on For the trail is Parque Ingles about 10 km first ford after Radal. This is also the last opportunity to spoil yourself with a good meal in a restaurant and to buy some goodies. On the trail that follows are only two occasionally used puestos; one at the Termas de Azufre (GPT01-WP020) and a second one at , I crossed further upstream than indicated on the Base Camp Descabezado Grande GPS track (GPT01-WP024see Carlos's comment below).The first 20 km from Radal to El Bolson are It looked a popular hiking destination lot safer there than downstream. There's continuous snow for national tourists. Some go up about 3 km going over the pass after Thermas de Azufre, best to cross in the Laguna las Ánimas but few continue beyond this point.The Base Camp Descabezado Grande is frequently visited by national and international tourists coming from Vilches Alto. Also horseback tours often stop and rest here.Hardly any hikers take the scenic trail from the Base Camp Descabezado Grande via the Laguna Caracol morning to avoid postholing when the hydropower station Cipreses. It’s a hidden gemsnow gets too soft.
===Access Los Hornitos pass has a large, very steep lip of snow (leftover cornice) on its south side. It's possible 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 around it by heading north for 50-100 meters and Curico to Radal and some even go all the then making your way to Parque Ingles. Outside of the main season there is only one daily bus from Molina to Radal leaving in the afternoon from down on the rural bus station in Molinavolcanic sand.
===Return from Finish===Bus The spring between Termas El Medano - Talcadel Blanquillo and Laguna del Caracol is a beautiful little desert oasis in an orherwise hot and dry stretch. It was a splendid spot to camp.
10:30 There is LOTS of water. Laguna del Caracol and 18:30Laguna 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.
No issues with the guards at Los Cipreses, they were friendly and let me pass no problem. From the first bus stop on the road, I hitched easily to Talca to resupply.
This trail section finished at the Route 115 to Talca.
===Escape Options=====Permits*20 Feb 2022 / Molly / RR southbound, 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).4 days
==Regular Route=====Regular Hiking Route===If you want Amazing section! I found the landscape to see be very varied despite the cascades Siete Tazas about 7 km after lack of vegetation - and even with many pretty flowers near the start in Radal you are charged streams. I personally found it to be a rather high entrance fee depending if you are great ending to my GPT journey, a national or big contrast to the landscapes further south. Would make for a foreign touristtough start though. If you don’t want to spend the money Plenty of water. Met one hiker doing Circuito el Cóndor and the time don’t worry; you will see plenty more cascades for free three Chilean tourists on the Greater Patagonian Trailhorseback. No arrieros, but plenty of cows and horses.{| class="wikitable"! style="textThe weather was cold and windy, sometimes veritable sandstorms which meant I almost couldn't open my eyes -align: left;" |Stage! style="textmaybe sunglasses could have helped. I wore my long pants over my boots instead of gaiters -align: left;" |Days! style="text-align: left;" |Stage End Point! style="text-align: left;" |Stage End Waypoint! style="text-align: left;" |Distance! style="text-align: left;" |Ascent ↑! style="text-align: left;" |Descent ↓! style="text-align: left;" |Time|-| A| 1| (Start should have listened to) El Boslon| Refuge (GPT01-WP011)| 20 km| 1180 m| 140 m| 06:10|-| B| 1| Laguna Mondaca| Camp (GPT01-WP016)| 16 km| 1000 m| 1210 m| 05:20|-| C| 1| Termas de Azufre| Hot Springthe advice, Camp & Puesto (GPT01-WP020)| 8 km| 690 m| 180 m| 03:00|-| D| 1| Base Camp Descabezado Grande| Camp & Puesto (GPT01-WP024)| 19 km| 920 m| 1010 m| 06:00|-| E| 1-2| Optional: Climb to Summit Descabezado Grande| Camp & Puesto (GPT01-WP024)| 16 km| 2030 m| 2030 m| 08:00|-| F| 1-2| Laguna Hornitos and optional side trip to hidden lakes| Camp (GPT01-WP036)| 16 km| 1010 m| 900 m| 05:40|-| G| 1-2| Finish| Bus Stop (GPT01-WP043) or Bus Stop (GPT01-WP045)| 25 km| 170 m| 1430 m| 06:00|}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're allowed to camp 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
'''Stage A: Start * 20 to 25th January 2022 / Carlos / GPT06 RR SOBORoute: Parque Inglés - El Bolson'''Bolsón (Colmillo del Diablo summit) - Termas del Azufre - Termas del Blanquillo - Laguna Caracol - First bus stop on CH115 road.
If you leave in the morning in Radal you can reach in one day the camp and refuge El Bolson. Parque Ingles is a good place for I hiked this route only a lunch breakcouple of days after Verónica & Jo.Not much to add except:
First day just hiked to El Bolsón (easy 4 hours), pitched my tent on the gorgeous campsite, left the heavy load and climbed the imposing "Colmillo del Diablo" (easy hike on a trail that goes around the back of the mountain).
'''Stage B: El Boslon From Termas del Azufre climbing to Laguna Mondaca''the pass I followed a faint track on the steep loose slope instead of crossing at the first river ford. After a few hundred meters the track takes you to a flat wide rocky area (just before the slope becomes impossibly steep), where you can very easily ford the river (I didn't even get my feet wet).
From El Bolson you get in Plenty of buses Molina - Parque Inglés. But only one day bus from el Médano - Los Cipreses to the Laguna MondacaTalca, at around 7 am, which returns at 15:00. If you partition this stage differently be aware that there are no inviting camp sites between the Laguna las Ánimas and the Laguna MondacaOnly week days. This stage should not be attempted Basic camping just in bad weatherfront of Los Cipreses shop (only ice cream, drinks, choco bars, biscuits): $4.000 pp.
* 2022-01-10 to 2022-01-15 | Veronika & Jo | GPT06 (only) RR SOBO
Route: Parque Inglès -> Laguna de las Animas -> Termas de Azufre -> Descabezado base camp -> Laguna del Caracol -> Laguna Hornitos -> First bus stop on 115-CH
'''Stage C: The five nights we just spent in a tent was the longest stretch we have ever gone without a decent bed on a hike. We skipped Radal, Laguna Mondaca to and Termas de Azufre''Medano, but still hiked in 6 days what others did in 3-4. We're basically easing into the GPT, gaining some fitness and experience before taking on the harder challenges.
Going from the Laguna Mondaca to As others have said: the Termas de Azufre makes a short relexing day views are otherworldly and gives you pleanty of time stunning. We felt like Touaregs traveling from oasis to enjoy Laguna Mondaca oasis in the morning before leaving Saharan desert. Except that there actually are plenty of springs and the hot springs little rivers flowing 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 upmost valleys.
Useful tidbits:
'''Stage D: Termas de Azufre - There really is no shade after El Bolsòn. Either you make your own (e.g., adapting your tent to Base Camp Descabezado Grande'''not trap heat) or you dress like a Touareg (loose clothing fully blocking the sun). For us, this was the hardest to deal with. We got up early but often stopped hiking at 13:00, enjoying the lakes or even just sitting down doing nothing that takes energy.
The rather - High-heeled boots and long day hike from the hot springs trousers work well to keep the base camp Descabezado Grande requires reasonable good weather as you cross a 2700 m passsand out.
- Confirming Shn0rhelez: going up from Termas de Azufre until the second ford indeed passes plenty of water, no need to carry any.
- Laguna Hornitos is drying up and hence less beautiful than the other lakes. Maybe it'''Optional Stage E: Summit Descabezado'''s better to camp at the start of the Hornitos plateau (SOBO, so north entry) as the area is flat and there is reasonably clean running water there.
The climb can be done in one day - There is no bus to Talca from Los Cipreses on saturdays or split up in twosundays. The disavantage of doing it in two days is We asked at the leak of shop and got a reliable water supply further up towards ride to Colorado from the summit once the snow is gone. If you do the climb brother-in one day you may desire a rest day either before or after -law of the climb. An extra day gives you also a buffer if the weather is not optimal shopkeeper for an ascent15000 CLP.
- In supermarkets, you can buy alcohol desnaturalizado cheaply in the nail polish section, or alternatively, use alcohol de quemar from the combustibles section.
* 26/12 2021 to 04/01 2022 Section 6 and 7 (option) Sobo 9 days From Parque Inglés to the entrance of Reserva AchibuenoBuy your ticket online for “El Bolsón” on the CONAF website and get to the trailhead before 3pm4hrs hike to El Bolsón, a great place with waterfall, great views, nice camping spots, hikersTO CHECK: Bus from Molina to Parque Ingles leaves at 9 am (not positive) on week-ends and holidays Easy hitch from Radal to Parque Ingles coz lots of campers going there on week-endsBe careful a ranger told me the park closes on Mondays It took me around 4 days from Parque Siete Tazas Park entrance to the road Q115 (Central Cipreses)From Road 115 I hitched to a village by Colbún lake where I resupplied : good supermarkets (a little on the expensive side), food truck , pastry shop I didn'''Stage Ft like Altos de Lircay NP : Base Camp Descabezado Grande after El Bolson (4 hrs in) no fucking shade for 3 days and an half except that of a shelter a little off trail, blazing sun all day, sand sand sand, I found the place so inhospitable, monotonous sights : sand dunes for ever, quite some struggling pedalling in the soft sand, plus I had no gaiters (stupid me) and low heels shoes so that was a bummer. However the place is super special, feels like on the moon (beautiful pictures) and I can understand why many love itSome “hot springs” are actually just luke and others just a hole or boiling hot (I added these informations to Laguna Hornitos'the track and waypoints I sent to Jan Dudek) so don't be like me fantasizing all day on that fantastic bath you will get or wait for Jan's update (thanks so so much for all you do mate).After resupplying I hitched on option 7 XXX all the way the Mellado cañon (really nice, by the river all the time), communities. After hiking South from Carizales (which has a very limited “store”) I was short on time and food and realized bare landscapes over the tree line were not my cup of tea (I prefer hiking below 1700 m in this part of Patagonia) so I left RR and took another option all the way to the West to Reserva Achibueno which I really enjoyed : great landscapes, lakes, rivers and met some cool hikers and fishermen
This stage can be hiked in one day. Alternatively you may partition this stage in two * 12 Feb Frank RR SouthboundAt the end of GPT06 if you want to explore go on the hidden lakes after north bank of Rio Maule the Laguna Caracol or if route is blocked by a cliff beyond Los Alamos & you simply need a more relaxing day after you got up to cross the summit of river to continue. Better to go on the Descabezado Granderoad. There is a suitable camp site about After 2KM on the road you pass 2 km after the Laguna Caracol shops, better food selection than in a wide open treeless valleyEl Medano. The pass between this camp site and the Laguna Hornitos should not be done in poor weatherThey have accommodation also. At Bridge 17 you can rejoin RR or continue on road but RR is nicer.
'''Stage G: Laguna Hornitos to Finish'''* 09 - 12 December 2021, SOBO, Vera & James
From We arrived the Laguna Hornitos you can walk in one short day to the hydropower station Cipreses before at Parque Ingles and camped the first night there. From Molina there is a bus stop to Radal at 5pm wed-fri, and direct to Parque Ingles on the Route 115weekends. To the regular finish The only way to pay for park entry is online at the second bus stop on the Route 115 it’s a rather long daywww. 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 morningaspticket.cl.
===Regular Packrafting Route===Not applicableAs an aside, we really liked Molina. It has plenty for resupply whilst being nice and small. There is a fishing shop opposite the Santa Isabel supermarket that sells gas.
==Optional Routes====Investigations and Explorations====Links to other Resources====Alerts and Logs of Past Seasons====Older information for review==[[File:01 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, El Bolsón.jpg|thumb|El Bolsón]][[File:02 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Leaving El Bolsón.jpg|thumb|Leaving El Bolsón]][[File:03 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg|thumb|GPT 06]][[File:04 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Day 1 we headed up the RR as far as just above Laguna Las Ánimas.jpg|thumb|Laguna Las Ánimas]][[File:05 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Pass 2560 m.PNG|thumb|Pass 2560 m]][[File:06 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Approaching Laguna Mondaca.PNG|thumb|Approaching Laguna Mondaca]][[File:07 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Laguna Mondaca.jpg|thumb|Laguna Mondaca]][[File:08 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, that bypasses Laguna Mondaca.PNG|thumb|Bypasses Laguna Mondaca]][[File:09 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg|thumb|GPT 06]][[File:11 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Termas de Azufre.jpg|thumb|Termas de Azufre]][[File:12 Greater Patagonian Traillas Animas by 2pm, Volcan Descabezado.jpg|thumb|GPT 06]][[File:13 Greater Patagonian Traila brutal climb in the midday sun! At this point the sun disappeared and clouds quickly rolled in, Volcan Descabezadowithin 10 minutes lightning was hitting the peaks directly around us.jpg|thumb|GPT 06]][[File:16 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg|thumb|GPT 06]][[File:17 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan DescabezadoWe beat a hasty retreat back to El Bolsen and camped there.jpg|thumb|GPT 06]]
===Waypoints==={| class="wikitable"! style="text-align: left;" width="268" | Waypoint Name and Waypoint Code! style="text-align: left;" |Comment|-| Start (GPT01-WP001)| Start in Radal at final bus stop. Only in January and February some busses continue We decided to Parque Ingles.|-| Shop (GPT01-WP002)| Small shop with basic supplies in Radal. Good to get a beer and some extra goodies for take the night but not to supply you for the tripalternate route past Laguna Manatial Pelado.|-| Camp $ (GPT01-WP003)| Nice, reasonable priced camp site in Radal. Recommen¬ded place for the first night A beautiful route if arriving in the evening.|-| Shop & Restaurant (GPT01-WP004)| Parque Inglés with kiosk hot and a cosy restaurant about 10 km after the starting point. Last chance to enjoy the pleasures of civilisation before heading into the wilderness.|-| Diversion, CONAF & Camp $ (GPT01-WP005)| The hiking trail starts left. You should register at the CONAF office. There is a camp site nearby.|-| River Crossing (GPT01-WP006)| Easy river crossing.|-| River Crossing (GPT01-WP007)| Easy river crossing.|-| River Crossing (GPT01-WP008)| Easy river crossing.|-| River Crossing (GPT01-WP009)| Easy river crossing.|-| Camp (GPT01-WP010)| There are some nice camp sites on the meadows of El Bolson. Inside the national park CONAF does not permit camp fires.|-| Refuge (GPT01-WP011)| Basic refuge in El Bolson that can shelter for up to 4 persons.|-| Pass 2260 m (GPT01-WP012)| First pass with nice view back into the Valle del Indio. After this pass comes a 2 km levelled section before ascending to the second pass.|-| Lake (GPT01-WP013)| Laguna Las Ánimas. You may camp at the lake but there is little shelter from wind.|-| Water (GPT01-WP014)| Clear fresh water.|-| Pass 2560 m (GPT01-WP015)| Second pass with nice view towards Laguna Mondacasandy.|-| Camp (GPT01-WP016)| Probably We have realised the best camp spot near Laguna Mondaca with water, fire wood and some wind protection.|-| Lake (GPT01-WP017)| Laguna Mondaca.|-| River Crossing (GPT01-WP018)| Difficult river crossing during snowmelt and after heavy rain. The river often changes it's bed therefore look for the optimal place time time to cross. Yon need to cross the river to avoid rocky terrain ahead.|-| River Crossing (GPT01-WP019)| Difficult river crossing during snowmelt and after heavy rain. The river often changes it's bed therefore look for the optimal place to cross.|-| Hot Spring, Camp & Puesto (GPT01-WP020)| Termas de Azufre. Excellent hot spring with several small pools. You may need to adjust the temperature by regulating the hot water inlet flow. No fire wood but you may heat water and food at the hot steam vents (follow the noise). Good camp site if you tolerate the sulphur smell. The posteros arrive in January.|-| River Crossing (GPT01-WP021)| Moderate difficult river crossing. Yon need to cross the river to avoid steep loose pumice fields ahead.|-| River Crossing (GPT01-WP022)| Easy river crossing.|-| Pass 2700 m (GPT01-WP023)| The highest point of the entire Greater Patagonian Trail (apart from the summit of the Descabezado Grande).|-| Camp & Puesto (GPT01-WP024)| Base Camp Descabezado Grande. Probably the best camp spot in this area. You best take water from the spring on the right side of the river about 20 to 30 m from this waypoint. Frequently visited area. Base camp for climbing the Volcan Descabezado. Basic stone shelter occasionally used by local posteros and horseback guides.|-| Hot Spring (GPT01-WP025)| One lukewarm pool at the Base Camp Descabezado Grande.|-| Water ? (GPT01-WP026)| Possible access to water on the way to the summit. May be unreliable and depending on snowmelt. Please verify and report to trekking guide author.|-| Cross (GPT01-WP027)| Cross near the summit.|-| Summit 3900 m (GPT01-WP028)| Summit of the Descabezado Grande.|-| River Crossing & Camp (GPT01-WP029)| Astonishing oasis in the middle of a volcanic desert. Good camp site with waterlong, fire wood and wind protection.|-| Lake (GPT01-WP030)| Nearly 3 km long drainless lake Laguna Caracol sandy ascent in the middle of pumice and lava.|-| Lake (GPT01-WP031)| Hidden lake in volcanic crater that can be seen from the next pass.|-| Camp (GPT01-WP032)| Camp site without fire wood and wind protection. Water sunny weather is probably best taken from the spring 300 m upstream.|-| Water (GPT01-WP033)| Clear fresh water spring.|-| Lake (GPT01-WP034)| Hidden lake that can be seen from the next pass.|-| Pass 2540 m (GPT01-WP035)| Pass with impressive view.|-| Camp (GPT01-WP036)| Probably the best camp site very early in this area and the only one with a meadow. Sufficient water and fire wood. The lake further down is dusty and without fire wood.|-| River Crossing (GPT01-WP037)| Easy river crossing.|-| Lake (GPT01-WP038)| Laguna Hornitos that is dammed up by the Crater Hornitos. You can easily ascent to the summit of the crater (60 m climb).|-| Trail Head (GPT01-WP039)| Trail head (or end). Turn right onto the hydropower station road.|-| Water ? (GPT01-WP040)| Possible access to water.|-| Gate (GPT01-WP041)| Unmanned gate that may be locked. Pedestrians may pass on the right side of the gate if locked.|-| Gate ? (GPT01-WP042)| Gate of hydropower station that morning, after 9am it was not used by trekking guide author. Please verify and report to author. You probably can leave anytime but you need a permit from the hydropower station for entering.|-| Bus Stop (GPT01-WP043)| Unmarked bus stop on the Route 115 to Talca.|-| Gate (GPT01-WP044)| Manned main gate of hydropower station Cipreses. You can leave anytime but you need a permit from the hydro¬power station for entering. You may ask the leaving employees for a ride to Talca.|-| Bus Stop (GPT01-WP045)| Unmarked bus stop on the Route 115 to Talcabrutally hot.|}
===Tracks==={| class="wikitable"! style="text-align: left;" width="105" | Track Name! Comment|-| GPT01-TR001-2| Take We then continued on the public gravel road from Radal to Parque Inglesregular route. Only few vehicles use this road but traffic increases in January As has been said before, it's remote and Februarystunning.|-| GPT01-TR002-1| The track starts left at the entrance of Parque Ingles. The national park trail from Radal to El Bolson is well main-tained and clearly visible with We had some signposts and marks. After El Bolson the trail occasionally splits and peters out so try to follow the GPS trek when in doubt until reaching the 2560 m high pass. At the pass do not descent the well visible trail that keeps right but follow the GPS trek that descents directly towards the Laguna Mondaca. During the descent the trail is partially only vaguely visible.|-| GPT01-TR003-0| From the camp side (GPT01-WP016) you can cross the vast sediment field to the Laguna Mondaca.|-| GPT01-TR004-1| Return 1.4 km on the same trail as you arrived.|-| GPT01-TR005-0| Cross the pumice field and look for a suitable location to cross the smaller valley ahead. There is not trail clearly visible nor required. Keep going strong winds coming over the pumice and sediment field until reaching the first challenging river crossing (GPT01-WP018). The river seams to change frequently its bed so look yourself for a suitable location to cross the river and do not trust on the waypoint. Continue on the sediment field until the second crossing (GPT01-WP019). Look again for a suitable location to cross the river yourself. After the second river crossing you need to head up the ridge in front of you. The first few meters of the trail on this ridge were lost during a recent landslide. Therefore you need to find your way up to ridge and trail yourself.|-| GPT01-TR006-1| Follow the generally well visible trail until reaching the hot springs (GPT01-WP020). Continue on this trail until getting to the river crossing (GPT01-WP021). Do not evade the river crossing by continuing on the trail on the same side. This trail will later disappear in a steep pumice slope. Follow the mostly well visible trail on the other side until crossing the river again (GPT01-WP022). The trail now rises to the 2700 m high pass and slowly descents after the pass. The generally well visible trail will lead you eventually to the base camp of the Descabezado Grande. If you want to make a campfire you may collect some firewood in the sediment field starts about 1 km before the camp. There is little firewood at the camp.|-| GPT01-TR007-0-X| Several trails lead up to the summit of the Descabezado Grande. During the ascent you should generally prefer the the more solid rocky parts. During the descent the loose pumice fields allow you to slide down with less effort.|-| GPT01-TR008-1| A good trail heads into the 4 km wide lava river. You need to leave the main trail at the oasis in the middle of the lava flow after crossing the small river (GPT01-WP029). Get up the hillside towards your left. A vaguer trail continues through the remaining lava field to the Laguna Caracol. Pass the Laguna Caracol on the right side and follow the meandering river the feed the lake. After the spring of this river turn left and cross the wide open area. Here the trail peters out until the trail forms again at the ascent towards the pass (GPT01-WP035). Just before the pass leave the main trail and follow the GPS track towards the left.|-| GPT01-TR009-0| From the pass (GPT01-WP035) several vague tracks lead down. You may either look for the regular trail or follow the GPS track. The GPS track keeps on the left until it descents in a steep pumice slope towards the river. Here the GPS track joints the regular trail.|-| GPT01-TR010-1| The trail continues on the left side of the river until reaching the Laguna de Hornitos. The trail crosses the river in a wide sediment field. Pass the lake , and the crater Hornitos even some sleet on the right and decent until reaching the hydropower station road in the valley far down.|-| GPT01-TR011-2| Follow the rarely used gravel road towards the hydropower station Cipreses. Once you reach the now unpopulated settlement you have to choose between two options.|-| GPT01-TR012-2| Option 1: You can take the 10 km dirt road to the regular trail section end where the next part of the Greater Patagonian Trail starts. This gets you to the more distant bus stop (GPT01-WP043).|-| GPT01-TR013-2-X| Option 2: Alternatively you can take the shortest way to the Route 115 if you want to return early. This gets you to the closest bus stop (GPT01-WP045). Alternatively you can wait for lift at the power station main gate (GPT01-WP044).|-| GPT01-TR014-4-X| Option 2: If you took the short way to the Route 115 and you still want to complete the entire trail than you need to walk 9 km on the paved Route 115. Not recommendedfinal day!|}
===Image Gallery===<gallery> File:19 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGFile:20 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGFile:21 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgFile:23 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGFile:24 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgFile:25 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgFile:26 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Leaving Arrived in Los Cipreses on a Sunday and we didn't see a single person except the Base Camp Descabezado Grandesecurity guard.jpg|Leaving We got mixed messages from him and then the Base Camp Descabezado GrandeFile:27 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Hot springs at Base Camp Descabezado Grande.jpg|Hot springs at Base Camp Descabezado GrandeFile:28 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgFile:29 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgFile:31 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgFile:32 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGFile:33 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgFile:34 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGFile:35 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGFile:37 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgFile:38 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGFile:39 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgFile:40 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGFile:41 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNGFile:43 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Camp near Laguna Los Hornitos.jpg|Camp near Laguna Los HornitosFile:44 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Laguna Los Hornitos.PNG|Laguna Los HornitosFile:45 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Laguna Los Hornitos.PNG|Laguna Los HornitosFile:46 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezadomini shop owner about buses to Talca.jpgFile:47 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan DescabezadoI would assume there isn't one on a Sunday.jpgFile:48 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan DescabezadoWe hitched to El Colorado then got a bus from there to Talca.jpg</gallery>
==Related Routes on Wikiexplora====Related Blogs and Online Publications==[[category* 2021 Dec:Greater Patagonian Trail]]03-09, SOBO, RR, Kris&Stiina
{{Draft}}[[File:18 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan DescabezadoWe also decided to combine sections 5 and 6 to avoid in’n’out to and from Parque Inglés.PNG|thumb|1100px|center|In It took us 6 and a half days and some of it was bloody hard. I have never before experienced my ass being handed over to me by a trail. We got beaten to the huge ash field]]{{RutaForme|Actividad=Trekking|País=Chile|CiudadesChile=Talca|BellezaEscenica=|Atractivos=Vistas panorámicas|Duracion=días|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 Descabezadopoint where first signs of weakness started to show and I have to admit we kind of even started discussing a plan B and bailing this ditch trail.jpg|ComentariosImagen=Towards Azufre hot springs|KMLZ=GPT06 But only for a moment, once you hit the rock bottom there is only one way to go - Volcán Descabezadoup! It was literally and figuratively, and as terrain improved so did our mood and we laughed off the silly thoughts we had had earlier.kmz|TipoDeMap=HYBRID|ComentariosMapa={{GPT KMZ}}}}{{Table all GPTs}}
==Recent Alerts The first 45km of the section 5 were great, awesome hiking and Suggestions==Drinking then shit hit the water of fan real quick. Ascent up from the hot springs is not recommended because ford at km 45 was hard but alright. And then came the descent down to Rio Negro (51km), very steep and very loose scree slope. We wanted to make it can upset your stomachto Rio Colorado for the night to cross it early in the morning in case there is no bridge. Better take fresh water from But because the river trail or a cold spring nearby.When climbing I must rather say the Descabezado Grande take plenty lack of water from it was really taking more time than we expected, by the base camp in particular if you plan time we got to spend one night higher upRio Negro it was already getting dark. You may refill your supplies with snow near The river was very rapid and murky so you couldn’t gauge the summitdepth of it and couldn’t see where to step, we had to really concentrate to cross it, luckily it was only balls deep.
==Season Section Log==2019-Dec-14 / Lea Geibel & Kevin Moe / Regular Route from Parque Ingles / Southbound / 4 days plus 1 day Summiting Descabezado GrandeThe section is incredibly beautifulIt was dark as we got across it and we continued the fun, albeit type 2 fun, illuminated by our headlamps. No problems finding water despite rather hot temperaturesThen came the insanely steep gully that allowed you to enter the valley of Rio Colorado. The ground (loose pumice) makes walking a bit slower Something was off with the elevation lines on Gaia and turned out to really dry out our skin (especially feetit showed that we will be descending right over the cliff, which could cause painful cracks and blisters). Summiting Descabezado Grande is it was luckily only a beautiful and straightforward (and glitch. As we couldn’t see much ahead we kept descending ever so carefully on this very rewarding) day trip (5-7 hours up very challenging terrain, I would even go as far as to say that it was stupid and 2 hours down)outright dangerous. The route But there was completely snow-free when we went, howeverno other way, you just had to stay focused. There were also some bad weather rolled in during rocks falling off the day and caused quite cliff under which we were descending. In a bit sense night was a good time to do it because you couldn’t see all the dangers - only what lie within the beam of fresh snow fall on the upper ~500m (which didn't seem to melt for a few days either)headlamp.
2019-Dec-18 / Tyler & America / Regular route from Vilches Alto5 Days. A Stunning section. Vilches Alto made for a great optional start; rather than returning Then came an extremely slow going, pretty much crawling speed traverse down to Parque Ingles. (We came from Talca by bus - 2100 CP). Entrance fee Rio Colorado, which we fully improvised as there was 6000 no trail anyway and camping 3000 PP. All trails were beautiful and a bit more trodden that sections before. Arrieros at thermal pools (not hot) were welcoming and friendly for us to camp. We took our sweet time in the beautiful section. We bussed from the first road access (south of town Los Cipreses/ OH-MR-V@06-E-#001) got down to Talca for Rio colorado about a good re supply kilometer before the long next sectionbridge, 2200 CP. Bus leaves this stop around 11where we set up camp abit past midnight.
2019So yes, the bridge was there -Dec-18 / Matus & Anna / Regular route from optional startWe combined sections 5 a decent one, seemed permanent and 6 via optional trail. GPT06 took us 2 days and bit (first day it was a relief that we did just 4km from 6th section)at least don’t have to start the day by risking our lives fording Rio Colorado.I agree with everything what The river was written pretty wide and the current seemed pretty fast, it wasn’t murky though but you couldn’t see how deep it really was. But we think it could have been forded in previous updates.Nice sandy trailscase there would be no bridge. Mornings There were freezing cold. No problems while crossing rivers. After optional start regular trail didn't correspond a few places that looked doable with any trailsomewhat laminar flow. We finally took one on The excitement of the right side and after while they merged. And I don't know who was so commitedexistence of the bridge didn’t last too long as we were slapped back into reality by the difficult terrain, it wasn’t as dangerous anymore as the previous night but thanks for marking difficult nevertheless. Once we got closer to the pass the trail 😊appeared and it was actually pleasant hiking once again.
There To sum it up the descent down to the Rio Colorado valley, then traversing it and the first part of crawling out of the valley sucks big time, but the rest of the section is a small tienda with coke really nice and crisps before entering a main road from Los Cipressnot too challenging terrain-wise. If I wouldn’t want to skip this section because it had some breathingtaking views. Just that on the hard part of it you continue by main road toward El Medano there can’t really enjoy any of it as all your effort is restaurant Cordillera where we refueled again. Accomodation in El Medano. I will edit with ressuply options laterelsewhere.
2019-Dec-14 / Martina & Ivo / Regular Route Southbound (mainly)4 days for this sectionThe guards at Laguna Mondaca were the nicest people we have met in Chile so far. As we came from GPT05 and didn't want They invited us to go all stay at the way "back" to the Paso Las Animasproperty, gave us food and drinks. They insisted we tried the Optional Investigation Route which starts at Parque Ingles right at the other side (South) don’t use any of Rio Claroour supplies or gear. It leads through private property, so They even provided us with a room with a bed and we went got to the guard, showed him the CONAF Permit (we bought one just in case, and recharge all of course they said it's not possible to walk on the other side of the river), explained him that we would only hike through our electronics and gave him some cerezas. He informed his Colleagues via radio to let us passgot a hot shower aswell. It was perfect! And just to make it clear there are no fancy villas there just a nice and easy hike. Nothing to add to Linda's remarks for few small simple houses where the rest owner of the trailproperty comes for fishing once in a while. And guards weren’t armed either.
Linda // Start = 6 december 2019 at Parque Ingles // Regular Route //It took us 4 days Southbound // Finish = Las Termas El Medano // to get to Laguna Mondaca and not far after it we joined the section 6 which took 2 and a half more days.
GENERAL FEELINGSection 6 was really something, we haven’t had such a strong otherworldly experience anywhere else. It was really like being on another planet at times. The blue sky was the only thing that gave it away that we were still on Earth. Really bizarre landscape and definitely the most beautiful breathtaking section of the six that we have done so far.
Amazing Regarding the difficulty, compared to section !!!! Incredible mineral landscapes as soon as you go beyond Laguna Las Animas5 it didn’t feel that difficult at all. It was tough because of Walking on sand is challenging, yes, especially going uphill. But on the passes (and this was also my first hiking days and I carried too other side going down is much food ... ) and easier on the ground around soft sand - you can just run/jog without much impact on your body as the volcanoes is sand ! So absorbs it makes each step even more difficultall. I loved the contrast between the areas around the volcanoes Shoes got completely wrecked and the Laguna Caracol is we took many “shoe-emptying” breaks because they were just one of the most beautiful place I've ever seen !!! filled with rocks and coarse sand.
LOGISTICSWe even took a dip in one of the lakes close to Descabezado and seeing how water is just coming out of the sand and turning into a river was really really cool, just as the whole landscape around there.
- Bus We camped at the lake about 5km from Molina Los Cipreses. When we arrived to El Radal (off season and weekdays = only one the road to take bus at 5pm in Molina that stops in El Radal. Weekend : it goes directly to Parque Ingles Talca the bus stop didn’t have any schedule and the shop close by was closed. So we couldn’t find out about the bus schedule may also be different)and the traffic on the road seemed pretty dead. But luckily after 15 min of waiting a car that was going to Talca picked us up, perfecto!
- Hitchhiked from El Radal Overall plenty of water on both sections, a lot of exposure to Parque Inglesthe sun, and some challenging terrain. It all together made for a great experience, just what we were looking for. It humbled us and we definitely had to adjust our expectations and recalibrate our way of hiking, it is GPT - not more and not less.
- First night For more stories of the trail, pictures, videos and in a camping in Parque Ingles = 5000 CLPcase you want to ask us anything you can find us on Instagram: @smallfootprint_bigadventures
- The day after, I had to register to CONAF. Office opening at 8:30 am. Entrance fee = 6000 CLP
Some people (5 or 6) were going to El Bolson for the day but after Laguna Las Animas, there was absolutely nobody till the end !
[[Archivo:Greater Patagonian Trail (9).jpg|thumb|GPT06 - Still snow when Volcán 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 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 the 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 go beyond 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 hard to see where you would step. There was also an improvised bridge crossing the Colorado River that I used, and thought was safe to use. These two sections are dominated by a volcanic profile with much of the route on ash and volcanic rock. Most of the 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 hills everywhere and then disappearing into the sand.*Difficulties: It was slow going walking thru the sand, especially when hiking vertically. Exposure to the sun. 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 2300 meters highlandscape. * Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions at ultratrailca@gmail.com
- 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 track
*2020- No problem Jan-23 Shn0rhelez/ Parque Ingles to go out from the mineEl Medano southbound/main route . Actually, workers I met .. 7 days duration(2 nights spent on my way down to Los Cipreses suggestedto drop me by car to laguna Las Animas)...section passable...Strong sun, no shadow after the main roadpark... Gaiters strongly recommended... The guard was just smiling when he saw me in the car SUBsection between termas del azufre and when I told him I was hikingsecond ford Before the pass (2700m) is full with water... my personal apinion is the backpack weight can be minimized... Good luck!
2020- Mini market where you can find basic food (eggs, spaghetti, chocolate Jan-09 / Bruno & Martin / RR SOBO /Parque Inglés to El Medano5 days for this amazing section.We started in Parque Inglés in Radal 7 Tazas National Park.Had to wait for one more day because of limited hiking permits towards El Bolsón.) 80 daily permits allowed and delivered at 8:30 in the morning, to be minded on weekends when the park is full. Followed Regular Route Laguna Las Termas El MedanoÁnimas, Azufre Hotsprings, Descabezado base camp, Laguna Caracol and then down to Los Cipreses. Cold section and bad weather towards the end, some rain and freezing wind. Had to camp in Laguna Caracol waiting for the storm to pass and hike the last pass. The use of lightweight gaiters is advised for keeping the sand out of your shoes.
==Summary Table==
{| border="1" style="border-collapse:collapse"
|+'''GPT06: Volcán Descabezado'''
| colspan="4" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| GPT06: Volcán Descabezado
| colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Hiking
| colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Packrafting
|-
|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"|Group
| colspan="2" | B: Zona Arrieros
|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Total
|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|'''86.7 km'''
|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|'''30 h'''
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| '''-'''
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"|'''-'''
|-
| style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"|Region
| colspan="2" | Chile: Maule (VII)
|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Trails (TL)
|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|72.3 km
|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|83.4%
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"|-
|-
|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Start
| colspan="2" | Radal
|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Minor Roads (MR)
|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|14.4 km
|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|16.6%
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -
|-
|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Finish
| colspan="2" | La Mina (Termas del Médano)
|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Primary Roads (PR)
|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-
|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -
|-
|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Status
| colspan="2" | Published & Verified
|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Cross-Country (CC)
|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-
|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -
|-
|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Traversable
| colspan="2" | Jan - Mar (Maybe: Dec, Apr)
|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Bush-Bashing (BB)
|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-
|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"|-
|-
|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Packraft
| colspan="2" | Only Burden
|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Ferry (FY)
|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-
|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"|-
|-
|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Connects to
| colspan="2" | GPT05, GPT07
|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Investigation (I)
|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-
|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -
|-
|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Options
| colspan="2" | 356 km (7 Options & Variants)
|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Exploration (EXP)
|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-
|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|-
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"|-
|-
|
|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Hiking
|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Packrafting
| rowspan="4" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"|
| colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Total on Water
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| '''-'''
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| '''-'''
|-
|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Attraction
|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|5 (of 5)
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -
| colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| River (RI)
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -
|-
|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Difficulty
|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|5 (of 5)
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -
| colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Lake (LK)
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -
|-
| style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"|Direction
|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|Both ↓↑
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"|-
| colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Fjord (FJ)
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -
|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"|-
|-
|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Comment
| colspan="7" | Hiking: ↑ Permit required
|-
|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Character
| colspan="7" | Packrafting: ↑ Permit required
|-
|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Challenges
| colspan="7" | Forest, Alpine Terrain, Volcanic Terrain, Summit Ascents, Hot Springs, Mountain Pastures, Arrieros, Partly Overrun
|}
 
==Satellite Image Map==
==Elevation Profile==
 
==Section Planning Status==
 
==Recommended Travel Period==
This traverse is best be hiked between December and April. After a mild winter with less snow than usual you may already set out in November but be aware that some rivers may be impassible high during snowmelt (in particular GPT01-WP018 and GPT01-WP019). If you plan to get up to the summit of the Descabezado Grande without carrying crampons you should have better chances at the end of December or later when most of the snow is gone.
 
==Benefits of Hiking and Packrafting==
==Recommended Travel Direction==
The treck can be hiked in either direction but doing it from South to North requires an entrence permit from the hydropower station Cipreses (See Permits and Entrance Fees). Therefore southbound is the recommended direction.
 
==Section Length and Travel Duration==
The trail can be hiked in 6 days but plan some contingency in case of bad weather or if you suddenly fall in love with one of the amazing places on the route. If the climate does not favor you, than you should not attempt to cross the passes. In this region bad weather normally does not last long so you are probably better off siting out a bad day.
If you are tempted to get up to the summit of the Descabezado Grande (GPT01-WP028) add two more days. The climb can be done in one long day or split up in two days when camping one night a bit further up.
 
==Suitable Section Combinations==
 
==Section Attractiveness==
==Section Difficulty==
The isolation and the high passes make this a rather difficult but rewarding trail. Good orientational skill are required because hardly any signposts are placed and some parts of the trail are cross country.
==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 water because water trickles away easily into the volcanic soil.
 
===Resupply Town===
====Shopping: Food====
====Shopping: Fuel====
====Shopping: Equipment====
====Services: Restaurants====
====Services: Laundry====
====Services: ATM and Money Exchange====
====Accommodation: Hostals and Hotels====
====Accommodation: Cabañas====
====Accommodation: Camping====
====Transport: Ground Transport====
====Transport: Ferries====
====Transport: Shipping Services====
 
===Resupply on the Trail===
====Location, Names, Available Items and Services====
 
==Access to Route and Return==
The last settlement on the trail is Parque Ingles about 10 km after Radal. This is also the last opportunity to spoil yourself with a good meal in a restaurant and to buy some goodies. On the trail that follows are only two occasionally used puestos; one at the Termas de Azufre (GPT01-WP020) and a second one at the Base Camp Descabezado Grande (GPT01-WP024).
The first 20 km from Radal to El Bolson are a popular hiking destination for national tourists. Some go up to the Laguna las Ánimas but few continue beyond this point.
The Base Camp Descabezado Grande is frequently visited by national and international tourists coming from Vilches Alto. Also horseback tours often stop and rest here.
Hardly any hikers take the scenic trail from the Base Camp Descabezado Grande via the Laguna Caracol to the hydropower station Cipreses. It’s a hidden gem.
 
===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.
 
===Return from Finish===
Bus Termas El Medano - Talca
 
10:30 and 18:30
 
 
This trail section finished at the Route 115 to Talca.
 
===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).
 
==Regular Route==
===Regular Hiking Route===
If you want to see the cascades Siete Tazas about 7 km after the start in Radal you are charged a rather high entrance fee depending if you are a national or a foreign tourist. If you don’t want to spend the money and the time don’t worry; you will see plenty more cascades for free on the Greater Patagonian Trail.
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: left;" |Stage
! style="text-align: left;" |Days
! style="text-align: left;" |Stage End Point
! style="text-align: left;" |Stage End Waypoint
! style="text-align: left;" |Distance
! style="text-align: left;" |Ascent ↑
! style="text-align: left;" |Descent ↓
! style="text-align: left;" |Time
|-
| A
| 1
| (Start to) El Boslon
| Refuge (GPT01-WP011)
| 20 km
| 1180 m
| 140 m
| 06:10
|-
| B
| 1
| Laguna Mondaca
| Camp (GPT01-WP016)
| 16 km
| 1000 m
| 1210 m
| 05:20
|-
| C
| 1
| Termas de Azufre
| Hot Spring, Camp & Puesto (GPT01-WP020)
| 8 km
| 690 m
| 180 m
| 03:00
|-
| D
| 1
| Base Camp Descabezado Grande
| Camp & Puesto (GPT01-WP024)
| 19 km
| 920 m
| 1010 m
| 06:00
|-
| E
| 1-2
| Optional: Climb to Summit Descabezado Grande
| Camp & Puesto (GPT01-WP024)
| 16 km
| 2030 m
| 2030 m
| 08:00
|-
| F
| 1-2
| Laguna Hornitos and optional side trip to hidden lakes
| Camp (GPT01-WP036)
| 16 km
| 1010 m
| 900 m
| 05:40
|-
| G
| 1-2
| Finish
| Bus Stop (GPT01-WP043) or Bus Stop (GPT01-WP045)
| 25 km
| 170 m
| 1430 m
| 06:00
|}
 
 
'''Stage A: Start to El Bolson'''
 
If you leave in the morning in Radal you can reach in one day the camp and refuge El Bolson. Parque Ingles is a good place for a lunch break.
 
 
'''Stage B: El Boslon 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 day and gives you pleanty 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 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 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 F: Base Camp Descabezado Grande to Laguna Hornitos'''
 
This stage can be hiked in one day. Alternatively you may partition this stage in two if you want to explore the hidden lakes after the Laguna Caracol or if you simply need a more relaxing day after you got up to the summit of the Descabezado Grande. There is a suitable camp site about 2 km after the Laguna Caracol in a wide open treeless valley. The pass between this camp site and the Laguna Hornitos should not be done in poor weather.
 
 
'''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===
Not applicable.
 
==Optional Routes==
==Investigations and Explorations==
==Links to other Resources==
==Alerts and Logs of Past Seasons==
==Older information for review==
[[File:01 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, El Bolsón.jpg|thumb|El Bolsón]]
[[File:02 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Leaving El Bolsón.jpg|thumb|Leaving El Bolsón]]
[[File:03 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg|thumb|GPT 06]]
[[File:04 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Laguna Las Ánimas.jpg|thumb|Laguna Las Ánimas]]
[[File:05 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Pass 2560 m.PNG|thumb|Pass 2560 m]]
[[File:06 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Approaching Laguna Mondaca.PNG|thumb|Approaching Laguna Mondaca]]
[[File:07 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Laguna Mondaca.jpg|thumb|Laguna Mondaca]]
[[File:08 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, that bypasses Laguna Mondaca.PNG|thumb|Bypasses Laguna Mondaca]]
[[File:09 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg|thumb|GPT 06]]
[[File:11 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Termas de Azufre.jpg|thumb|Termas de Azufre]]
[[File:12 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg|thumb|GPT 06]]
[[File:13 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg|thumb|GPT 06]]
[[File:16 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg|thumb|GPT 06]]
[[File:17 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg|thumb|GPT 06]]
 
===Waypoints===
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: left;" width="268" | Waypoint Name and Waypoint Code
! style="text-align: left;" |Comment
|-
| Start (GPT01-WP001)
| Start in Radal at final bus stop. Only in January and February some busses continue to Parque Ingles.
|-
| Shop (GPT01-WP002)
| Small shop with basic supplies in Radal. Good to get a beer and some extra goodies for the night but not to supply you for the trip.
|-
| Camp $ (GPT01-WP003)
| Nice, reasonable priced camp site in Radal. Recommen¬ded place for the first night if arriving in the evening.
|-
| Shop & Restaurant (GPT01-WP004)
| Parque Inglés with kiosk and a cosy restaurant about 10 km after the starting point. Last chance to enjoy the pleasures of civilisation before heading into the wilderness.
|-
| Diversion, CONAF & Camp $ (GPT01-WP005)
| The hiking trail starts left. You should register at the CONAF office. There is a camp site nearby.
|-
| River Crossing (GPT01-WP006)
| Easy river crossing.
|-
| River Crossing (GPT01-WP007)
| Easy river crossing.
|-
| River Crossing (GPT01-WP008)
| Easy river crossing.
|-
| River Crossing (GPT01-WP009)
| Easy river crossing.
|-
| Camp (GPT01-WP010)
| There are some nice camp sites on the meadows of El Bolson. Inside the national park CONAF does not permit camp fires.
|-
| Refuge (GPT01-WP011)
| Basic refuge in El Bolson that can shelter for up to 4 persons.
|-
| Pass 2260 m (GPT01-WP012)
| First pass with nice view back into the Valle del Indio. After this pass comes a 2 km levelled section before ascending to the second pass.
|-
| Lake (GPT01-WP013)
| Laguna Las Ánimas. You may camp at the lake but there is little shelter from wind.
|-
| Water (GPT01-WP014)
| Clear fresh water.
|-
| Pass 2560 m (GPT01-WP015)
| Second pass with nice view towards Laguna Mondaca.
|-
| Camp (GPT01-WP016)
| Probably the best camp spot near Laguna Mondaca with water, fire wood and some wind protection.
|-
| Lake (GPT01-WP017)
| Laguna Mondaca.
|-
| River Crossing (GPT01-WP018)
| Difficult river crossing during snowmelt and after heavy rain. The river often changes it's bed therefore look for the optimal place to cross. Yon need to cross the river to avoid rocky terrain ahead.
|-
| River Crossing (GPT01-WP019)
| Difficult river crossing during snowmelt and after heavy rain. The river often changes it's bed therefore look for the optimal place to cross.
|-
| Hot Spring, Camp & Puesto (GPT01-WP020)
| Termas de Azufre. Excellent hot spring with several small pools. You may need to adjust the temperature by regulating the hot water inlet flow. No fire wood but you may heat water and food at the hot steam vents (follow the noise). Good camp site if you tolerate the sulphur smell. The posteros arrive in January.
|-
| River Crossing (GPT01-WP021)
| Moderate difficult river crossing. Yon need to cross the river to avoid steep loose pumice fields ahead.
|-
| River Crossing (GPT01-WP022)
| Easy river crossing.
|-
| Pass 2700 m (GPT01-WP023)
| The highest point of the entire Greater Patagonian Trail (apart from the summit of the Descabezado Grande).
|-
| Camp & Puesto (GPT01-WP024)
| Base Camp Descabezado Grande. Probably the best camp spot in this area. You best take water from the spring on the right side of the river about 20 to 30 m from this waypoint. Frequently visited area. Base camp for climbing the Volcan Descabezado. Basic stone shelter occasionally used by local posteros and horseback guides.
|-
| Hot Spring (GPT01-WP025)
| One lukewarm pool at the Base Camp Descabezado Grande.
|-
| Water ? (GPT01-WP026)
| Possible access to water on the way to the summit. May be unreliable and depending on snowmelt. Please verify and report to trekking guide author.
|-
| Cross (GPT01-WP027)
| Cross near the summit.
|-
| Summit 3900 m (GPT01-WP028)
| Summit of the Descabezado Grande.
|-
| River Crossing & Camp (GPT01-WP029)
| Astonishing oasis in the middle of a volcanic desert. Good camp site with water, fire wood and wind protection.
|-
| Lake (GPT01-WP030)
| Nearly 3 km long drainless lake Laguna Caracol in the middle of pumice and lava.
|-
| Lake (GPT01-WP031)
| Hidden lake in volcanic crater that can be seen from the next pass.
|-
| Camp (GPT01-WP032)
| Camp site without fire wood and wind protection. Water is probably best taken from the spring 300 m upstream.
|-
| Water (GPT01-WP033)
| Clear fresh water spring.
|-
| Lake (GPT01-WP034)
| Hidden lake that can be seen from the next pass.
|-
| Pass 2540 m (GPT01-WP035)
| Pass with impressive view.
|-
| Camp (GPT01-WP036)
| Probably the best camp site in this area and the only one with a meadow. Sufficient water and fire wood. The lake further down is dusty and without fire wood.
|-
| River Crossing (GPT01-WP037)
| Easy river crossing.
|-
| Lake (GPT01-WP038)
| Laguna Hornitos that is dammed up by the Crater Hornitos. You can easily ascent to the summit of the crater (60 m climb).
|-
| Trail Head (GPT01-WP039)
| Trail head (or end). Turn right onto the hydropower station road.
|-
| Water ? (GPT01-WP040)
| Possible access to water.
|-
| Gate (GPT01-WP041)
| Unmanned gate that may be locked. Pedestrians may pass on the right side of the gate if locked.
|-
| Gate ? (GPT01-WP042)
| Gate of hydropower station that was not used by trekking guide author. Please verify and report to author. You probably can leave anytime but you need a permit from the hydropower station for entering.
|-
| Bus Stop (GPT01-WP043)
| Unmarked bus stop on the Route 115 to Talca.
|-
| Gate (GPT01-WP044)
| Manned main gate of hydropower station Cipreses. You can leave anytime but you need a permit from the hydro¬power station for entering. You may ask the leaving employees for a ride to Talca.
|-
| Bus Stop (GPT01-WP045)
| Unmarked bus stop on the Route 115 to Talca.
|}
 
===Tracks===
{| class="wikitable"
! style="text-align: left;" width="105" | Track Name
! Comment
|-
| GPT01-TR001-2
| Take the public gravel road from Radal to Parque Ingles. Only few vehicles use this road but traffic increases in January and February.
|-
| GPT01-TR002-1
| The track starts left at the entrance of Parque Ingles. The national park trail from Radal to El Bolson is well main-tained and clearly visible with some signposts and marks. After El Bolson the trail occasionally splits and peters out so try to follow the GPS trek when in doubt until reaching the 2560 m high pass. At the pass do not descent the well visible trail that keeps right but follow the GPS trek that descents directly towards the Laguna Mondaca. During the descent the trail is partially only vaguely visible.
|-
| GPT01-TR003-0
| From the camp side (GPT01-WP016) you can cross the vast sediment field to the Laguna Mondaca.
|-
| GPT01-TR004-1
| Return 1.4 km on the same trail as you arrived.
|-
| GPT01-TR005-0
| Cross the pumice field and look for a suitable location to cross the smaller valley ahead. There is not trail clearly visible nor required. Keep going over the pumice and sediment field until reaching the first challenging river crossing (GPT01-WP018). The river seams to change frequently its bed so look yourself for a suitable location to cross the river and do not trust on the waypoint. Continue on the sediment field until the second crossing (GPT01-WP019). Look again for a suitable location to cross the river yourself. After the second river crossing you need to head up the ridge in front of you. The first few meters of the trail on this ridge were lost during a recent landslide. Therefore you need to find your way up to ridge and trail yourself.
|-
| GPT01-TR006-1
| Follow the generally well visible trail until reaching the hot springs (GPT01-WP020). Continue on this trail until getting to the river crossing (GPT01-WP021). Do not evade the river crossing by continuing on the trail on the same side. This trail will later disappear in a steep pumice slope. Follow the mostly well visible trail on the other side until crossing the river again (GPT01-WP022). The trail now rises to the 2700 m high pass and slowly descents after the pass. The generally well visible trail will lead you eventually to the base camp of the Descabezado Grande. If you want to make a campfire you may collect some firewood in the sediment field starts about 1 km before the camp. There is little firewood at the camp.
|-
| GPT01-TR007-0-X
| Several trails lead up to the summit of the Descabezado Grande. During the ascent you should generally prefer the the more solid rocky parts. During the descent the loose pumice fields allow you to slide down with less effort.
|-
| GPT01-TR008-1
| A good trail heads into the 4 km wide lava river. You need to leave the main trail at the oasis in the middle of the lava flow after crossing the small river (GPT01-WP029). Get up the hillside towards your left. A vaguer trail continues through the remaining lava field to the Laguna Caracol. Pass the Laguna Caracol on the right side and follow the meandering river the feed the lake. After the spring of this river turn left and cross the wide open area. Here the trail peters out until the trail forms again at the ascent towards the pass (GPT01-WP035). Just before the pass leave the main trail and follow the GPS track towards the left.
|-
| GPT01-TR009-0
| From the pass (GPT01-WP035) several vague tracks lead down. You may either look for the regular trail or follow the GPS track. The GPS track keeps on the left until it descents in a steep pumice slope towards the river. Here the GPS track joints the regular trail.
|-
| GPT01-TR010-1
| The trail continues on the left side of the river until reaching the Laguna Hornitos. The trail crosses the river in a wide sediment field. Pass the lake and the crater Hornitos on the right and decent until reaching the hydropower station road in the valley far down.
|-
| GPT01-TR011-2
| Follow the rarely used gravel road towards the hydropower station Cipreses. Once you reach the now unpopulated settlement you have to choose between two options.
|-
| GPT01-TR012-2
| Option 1: You can take the 10 km dirt road to the regular trail section end where the next part of the Greater Patagonian Trail starts. This gets you to the more distant bus stop (GPT01-WP043).
|-
| GPT01-TR013-2-X
| Option 2: Alternatively you can take the shortest way to the Route 115 if you want to return early. This gets you to the closest bus stop (GPT01-WP045). Alternatively you can wait for lift at the power station main gate (GPT01-WP044).
|-
| GPT01-TR014-4-X
| Option 2: If you took the short way to the Route 115 and you still want to complete the entire trail than you need to walk 9 km on the paved Route 115. Not recommended!
|}
 
===Image Gallery===
<gallery>
File:19 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNG
File:20 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNG
File:21 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg
File:23 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNG
File:24 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg
File:25 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg
File:26 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Leaving the Base Camp Descabezado Grande.jpg|Leaving the Base Camp Descabezado Grande
File:27 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Hot springs at Base Camp Descabezado Grande.jpg|Hot springs at Base Camp Descabezado Grande
File:28 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg
File:29 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg
File:31 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg
File:32 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNG
File:33 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg
File:34 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNG
File:35 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNG
File:37 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg
File:38 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNG
File:39 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg
File:40 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNG
File:41 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNG
File:43 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Camp near Laguna Los Hornitos.jpg|Camp near Laguna Los Hornitos
File:44 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Laguna Los Hornitos.PNG|Laguna Los Hornitos
File:45 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Laguna Los Hornitos.PNG|Laguna Los Hornitos
File:46 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg
File:47 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg
File:48 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpg
</gallery>
 
==Related Routes on Wikiexplora==
==Related Blogs and Online Publications==
[[category:Greater Patagonian Trail]]
 
2019-Dec-25 / Tom & Maddie / RR SOBO / Parque Ingles to El Medano.
3 days. We agree with everything else that was writing. A stunning but exposed section. The track from Los Cipreses to El Medano suffered from landslides. I would consider the road next time as there is no loss of scenery. We restocked at the tienda in El Medano for GPT07 which had an okay selection of food. The store in Los Cipreses also had food (better snacks). There is Entel reception in El Medano.
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
107 am in front of Los Cipreses - someone has to call in advance for the bus to go all the way to el Médano - loads of tourists there, though, so someone might have called. Other connections should be at 9:30 15 and 1817:3020 (one at 1620 l3aves from further downstream). The other way around, the buses leave Talca at 7, 13, 15 and 19, according to the schedule at Talca bus station.
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==
[[category:Greater Patagonian Trail]]
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