#REDIRECT [[GPT06 (Descabezado)]]
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[[File:18 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.PNG|thumb|1100px|center|In the huge ash field]]
{{Table all GPTs}}
==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, 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.
* 12 Feb Frank RR SouthboundREPORT If you go on the north bank of Rio Maule the route is blocked by a cliff beyond Los Alamos & you need to cross the river to continue. Better to go on the road. After 2KM on the road you pass 2 shops* GPT06 / Iris, better food selection than in El Medano. They have accommodation also. At Bridge 17 you can rejoin RR or continue on road but RR is nicer.Alexis / Mar 21-25 / 5 days / NOBO / Vilches — Volcan – Parque Ingles
==Season Section Log==*Start Date: December 24, 2019*Section: Our last section on the 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 year! We started in Vilches Alto with the hardest section of the GPT in between sections GPT 01option 06-10. I went 05 because we rented horses with the first 5 days without seeing another person which I thought was quite coolarriero Jose Lopez. So, these two sections are quite remote, and you are way out there The beginning is placed in the mountains. There was also some pretty intense river crossing in “GPT Section 5” that I found Reserva Nacional Altos de Lircay, which requires a permit to be manageable (keep in mind I’m 185cm and have lots of thru hiking experience.) but still a little difficultgo until the Volcan. The rivers were entrance fee is also very dark and murky which made it hard to see where you would step7k pp. There was also an improvised bridge crossing the Colorado River that I usedWe finished our first day at Camp, and thought was safe to useCONAF {06-05} [10. 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 ash2/rocks1158]. There was plenty of water with springs coming out of I believe we mostly followed 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@gmailGPS track.com
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.
*2020-Jan-23 Shn0rhelez/ Parque Ingles to El Medano southbound/main route .On Day 3, we started the ascent at 2am with our headlights.6h30 later we were on the top, with the morning lights rewarding us and stunning landscape. 7 days durationThe ascent was extremely tiresome (2 nights spent on laguna Las Animassand material), as always with volcanos, and it was very cold but the crater and the views were very worth it...section passable...Strong sunAfter a breakfast at the top, no shadow after the park... Gaiters strongly recommended..descent, mostly running, took us about 2h.We rested for the SUBsection between termas rest of day at Banos del azufre Blanquillo and second ford Before the pass (2700m) is full even got a sopapilla making class with water... my personal apinion is the backpack weight can be minimized..Umberto. Good luck!
2020-Jan-09 / Bruno & Martin / On Day 4, we followed the RR SOBO /Parque Inglés to El Medano5 days for this amazing section. We started in Parque Inglés in Radal 7 Tazas National Parkthe beautiful Descabezado landscape. Had to wait for one more day because Expect no shade but stunning dunes of limited hiking permits towards El Bolsónwhite sand. 80 daily permits allowed and delivered There is plenty of water during the day because you will cross at 8:30 least 2 rivers that were not dry this late in the morning, season. The trail is easy to be minded on weekends when follow (because that is the park only one) and is fullalso part of the Circuit of the Condores. Followed Regular Route Laguna Las ÁnimasHowever, Azufre Hotsprings, Descabezado base camp, Laguna Caracol and then down to Los Cipresesafter Ford {06} [29. Cold section and bad weather towards the end4/2190], some rain you have about a dozen of options and freezing windthe navigation until Hot Spring {06} [27. Had 4/1986] (Hot Sping del Azufre) is more challenging. We decided to camp in Laguna Caracol waiting for ignore the storm to pass GPS and hike follow our instinct - just aim for the last passfumerolles. The use There you can enjoy a hot bath in one of lightweight gaiters is advised for keeping the sand out of your shoesthree hot natural pools (along some weird soft alguees).
On Day 5, we simply followed the RR until Parque Ingles. The trail is well marked until the end, you just have to enjoy multiple highlights in the landscape. Of note, when reaching El Bolsón, the CONAF ranger forbid us to bath in the pools because it was too late (3PM) and told us to leave the park before 5:30. He was not friendly and also checked the entrance tickets of Livan Ray. We got extremely lucky and caught a bus leaving Parque Ingles when we reached it (it leaves at 5:00).
2019-Dec-25 / Tom & Maddie / RR SOBO / Parque Ingles to El Medano3 daysThis hike concludes our GPT adventure. Very beautiful (and exposed) section. Lots of water. The track from Los Cipreses We loved to start it riding horses to El Medano suffered from feel a few landslides meaning bit more like the route was slower than anticipatedtrails main user. I would consider taking The final day hiking and the road next time as there is no loss volcano ascent were astonishing, truly one of scenery. We resupplied in El Medano by basically buying all the food at the tienda (60000 CP for food for two people for or even the next ) best section)of our GPT. Selection was good enough
2019-Dec-18 * 03/ Tyler & America 02/ Regular route from Vilches Alto5 Days. A Stunning section. Vilches Alto made for a great optional start; rather than returning to Parque Ingles. (We came from Talca by bus 2023 - 2100 CP). Entrance fee was 6000 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 Cipreses08/ OH-MR-V@06-E-#001) to Talca for a good re supply before the long next section02/2023 / RR + Descabezado SOBO / Louis, 2200 CP. Bus leaves this stop around 11.Rémi & Noé :
2019-Dec-18 / Matus & Anna / Regular route from optional startWe combined sections 5 and 6 via optional trail. GPT06 took us 2 days and bit (Our first day trip on the GPT, plenty of water, we did just 4km from 6th section)didnt carry more than 1.I agree with everything what was written in previous updates5L each.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 one on the right side and after while they merged. And I don't know who was so commited, but thanks for marking the trail 😊Here is our trip :
There is Day 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 small tienda with coke and crisps before entering a main road camping in front of the entrance for 7k CLP per person. Plenty of buses goes up there from Los CipressMolina in 2 hours. At least a dozen. Same for going back. If you continue by main road toward but your ticket online : if you sleep at El Medano there is restaurant Cordillera where 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 refueled againhiked until the Laguna las Animas, a rather long day for the first one. Accomodation in El Medano. I will edit with ressuply options laterThe camp on the beach was quite windy too.
2019Day 2 -DecTermas de Azufre -14 11km - +400m/ Martina & Ivo / Regular Route Southbound (mainly)-700m4 days for this section. As we came from GPT05 and didn't want to go all the way "back" to the Paso Las AnimasA short day, 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 nice to enjoy the guard, showed him the CONAF Permit (we bought one just hot springs 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 cerezasafternoon. He informed his Colleagues via radio to let us The pass. It in the morning was a nice and easy hike. Nothing to add to Linda's remarks for the rest of the trailvery windy too.
Linda /Day 3 - Refugio El Blanquillo - 20km - +800m/ -900mStart = 6 december 2019 at Parque Ingles // Regular Route //4 days Southbound // Finish = Las Termas El Medano // A long but beautiful day. Leave early the camp to avoid hot temperatures while ascending the pass. Well welcomed by the arrierio Umberto ! Very kind.
GENERAL FEELINGDay 4 - Volcan Descabezado Grande - 16km - +2000m/-2000mWe did the ascent without our bags, we went back to our camp in the night. It's long and hard. According to Umberto, 12h are needed in total, we did in 10h. Same, Leave early to avoid hot temperatures.
Amazing section !!!! Incredible mineral landscapes as soon as you go beyond Day 5 - Laguna Las Animaslos Hornitos - 20km - +900m/-900mAnother nice day, passing next to Laguna Caracol. It was tough because of The descent from the passes pass is a bit annoying if you didnt follow the track (and this was also my first hiking days and I carried too much food as we did)... ) and the ground around the volcanoes is sand ! So it makes each step even more difficult. I loved , advice : follow the contrast between the areas around the volcanoes RR and the go down on your right. The Laguna Caracol is very dry, just one enough to have a bath. Hard to maintain the pitch of the most beautiful place I've ever seen !!! tent in the dry dirt.
LOGISTICSDay 6 - Los Cipreses - 15km - +100m/-1000mLast short day to end this beautiful section. The gravel road is a 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 CLP per bag)
- 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)
24/01 - Hitchhiked from El Radal to Parque Ingles30/01 / RR + Descabezado SOBO / Martial :
- 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 pass. 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 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 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 catch with my survival fishing kit !Beautiful vew from the pass to sandyland and then landscape changes and recommend OH variant C descending (less overgrown). Trail not so visible till laguna los hornos witch i climbed volcano to enjoy the crater caldera. After that descent to los Cipreses is kind of boring and hot so was definitely happy to find a camping by the bridge after the gate with lovely Victorina and her family here (-35.81524, -70.83224). They have been incredibly carring, fed me and brought me to the termas caves (also worth it) in Parque Ingles = 5000 CLPEl Medano !
- 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 !
- Still snow when you go beyond the 2300 meters high
*16/01/23- Be careful for the last pass Las Hornitos, a lot of 25/01/23 / Natalie & Tomáš/ OH 06-02 & 06-03 NOBO / 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 Laguna Maule to the GPS trackVilches w/ volcans/ 10days
- No problem to go out from the mine. Actually, workers I met on An extremely long description so my way down to Los Cipreses suggestedto drop me by car to the main roadapologies but hopefully it will help someone. The guard was just smiling when he saw me We Started in the car Laguna del Maule and when I told him I was hikingended in Vilches with inclusion of Descabezado, Azul, Descabezado Chico and Colorado.
All fords super easy or jump- Mini market where you can find basic food able. Only times water was scarce was Descabezado and Azul (eggstechnically there is melt water from glaciers at Azul), spaghetti, chocolate ..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 Las Termas El Medanothe day.
07/02/20- Arnaud- Gpt section 64 days - North to SouthAmazing but hard section with a lot of denivelation. As Happy 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)started in Laguna del Maule and finished in Vilches. We registered to the Conaf Office This saved elevation gain and paid the entrance fee 6000 clp for foreigners. They gave let us a mail adress so that decide whether or not we can announce our exit of had enough food in the parque, end 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 climb Descabezado, it is possible to freecamp only after el BolsonAzul, before, it is prohibited.The Laguna Las Animas is very very beautiful chico 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 thereTomáš Colorado.
* 12 Feb 2020 Frank 2Day1.5 days SouthboundStarting in 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 we still managed to take a bus to Colorado and hitchhike to the start of this route. Buses from Talca to la Mina go at; 7:00am, 1:00pm (only to la Suiza), 3:00pm and 7:00pm. We took a bus to Colorado due to time and hitched the rest 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.
At Parque Ingles I registered with Conaf, they record your route & where you will campOH-TL-V {06-02} (109. Deregistered by email later1). Easy 3 hour walk Straight away the trail is hard to El Bolsonsee, lots do not take the road-looking trail on the side of people camping there but they don't go any further. Took optional route to Laguna Manantial. At 2160M there is a small meadow & streamthe mountain because it ends, this is last water & last camp before the lake. You go over a pass @ 2560M then drop 80M stick to the lakegps. Termas Blanquillo However soon we were only tepid. Camped walking on the correct route through the sand and down to a small beach @ S end of Laguna de Los Hornoscreek with fun boulders. The lake is nearly dried out, Easy to follow. After this first creek we followed option OH-CC-A (06-02) {98} For only -5km until making camp in-between a little semi stagnant river and and canal with flowing water left. Best to carry water Bogs in from one of the streams this area slowed us down 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 minslot.
==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;"|'''86Day2.7 km'''|style="backgroundOH-color:#ffbfbf;"|'''30 h'''|style="background{06-color:#c2edfc;"| '''02} -'''|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"|'''-'''|-| style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"|Region| colspan="2" | Chile: Maule [ (VII93)|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Trails & (TL86)]|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 This day seemed long, we crossed two passes, one small (MR)|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|1435.4 km|style="background94909, -color:#ffbfbf;"|1670.6%|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -|-|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Finish| colspan="2" | La Mina (Termas del Médano45347)|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Primary Roads and one much larger (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: Dec35.88855, Apr)|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Bush-Bashing (BB70.46776)|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 (liked the entire area south 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 (the second pass, many beautiful camp spots, water was available almost to the top of 5)|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| -| colspan="2" style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Lake the pass and there is also a nice waterfall/swimming pool located roughly around (LK)|style="background-color:#c2edfc;"| 35.90452, -|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 (FJ70.45218)|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. Trail to first pass was easy but trail between first and second was much more cross country, Alpine Terrainthere are many animal tracks, Volcanic TerrainI 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, Summit Ascentsthe GPX goes cross-country right away, Hot Springs, Mountain Pastures, Arrieros, Partly Overrun|}but one can follow a trail that goes left and later reconnects with GPx.
==Satellite Image Map====Elevation Profile==After the second pass there is a small plateau and then it follows down a creek with water until you must cross an east hill and go towards your first mountain puesto to the east (noone home). There is only a little bit of water here, better water at the creek you came from and or a few creeks ahead.
==Section Planning Status==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 I was not having a good day 😅. It is about 6 km between the puesto and the plateau.
==Recommended Travel Period==Day 3This traverse OH {06-02} [78.6] + [75.7] + [63.6]Easy day, only one small pass. There is best be hiked between December and Aprilan ex-carabiniero puesto at (-35. After 84277, -70.40285) and a mild winter with less snow than usual you may already set out in November but be aware that some highlight was two rivers may be impassible high during snowmelt , one at (in particular GPT01-WP018 35.76317, -70.42051) and GPT01one river at (-WP01935.74734, -70.45623). If you plan The GPX is marked as trail a bit further than the actual trail goes (the trail continues to get up a puesto down-river). You need to go down a ridge and ford the summit of 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 Descabezado Grande without carrying crampons you should have better chances sand but it got windy at night, we wished we camped a bit further from the end of December or later when most of river in the snow is gonelittle hills where it was considerably less windy.
==Benefits of Hiking and Packrafting==Day4==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)OH {06-02} [59. Therefore southbound is the recommended direction6] + [29.1] + {06-02D}
==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 routeThis day we passed a large pass (-35. If the climate does not favor you65200, than you should not attempt to cross the passes-70. In this region bad weather normally does not last long so you are probably better off siting out 43356) via {06-02D}. This option was more direct and involved a bad dayvery short and easy scramble onto a windy plateau.If you are tempted to get up to the summit Surprisingly lots of water up towards the Descabezado Grande pass, last one being (GPT01-WP028) add two more days35. The climb can be done 66343, -70.42666) , however the water available had a lot of sand in one long day or split up in two days when camping one night it, fyi. From camp we followed a bit further upcow 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.
==Suitable Section Combinations==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 (-35.61215, -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).
==Section Attractiveness==Day 05==Section Difficulty==OH {06-02} [29.1] + [20]The isolation and the high passes make this a rather difficult but rewarding trailLagunas de aquas calientes day. Good orientational skill are required because hardly any signposts are placed and some parts An easy day with a lot of time spent at Aquas Caliente, true to the trail are cross countryname. ==Resupply==You need Trail from camp was easy to follow until (-35.53519, -70.46551) and then it went CC to carry all the food for the entire trailLaguna. There If shelter is no food supply after Parque Inglesneeded in this open landscape we found a rock shelter here (-35. If you meet arrieros 51276, -70.51035). The creek feeding the Laguna was fabulously warm in places - either at one the source of the Puestos you may ask for some goat or lamb meet but if you are not ready to take an entire creek or at least half an animal they may be reluctant 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 sellget sunburn why bathing mid-day though.Refill your water supply at There are some camping spots near the marked river crossings 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 campssand but detoured on more solid ground to the east (-35. In between these waypoints your will find only ocasinally some trinking 48839, -70.56200) and was glad I did. Later on we found snow melt here (-35.48544, -70.59940) and loaded all the water because water trickles away easily into we would need for night/morning and exploring Descabozado Chico the volcanic soilnext day.
===Resupply Town===Day 06====Shopping: Food====OH {06-02} [20] + {06-02C Chico} + [4.5]====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====Descabozado Chico + Vulcan Colorado (Tomáš)
===Resupply 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 Trail===NE side the lake but did not go to it, Tomáš got water somewhere off trail around here (-35.51226, -70.65626) and I drank out of the next lake -35.52036, -70.65873 (questionable, but nothing happened to me). ====LocationFrom 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, Namesno 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, Available Items -70.66854). Tomáš went to continue up Vulcan Colorado and Services====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.
==Access Everything this day was CC. I found it to Route and Return==The last settlement on be the trail is Parque Ingles about 10 km after Radalhardest day navigation-wise but still not troublesome. This is also We finished the last opportunity to spoil yourself with a good meal day in a restaurant and to buy some goodies. On nice valley before the trail that follows are only two occasionally used puestos; one at the Termas de Azufre next days climb here (GPT01-WP020) and a second one at the Base Camp Descabezado Grande (GPT0135.55427, -WP02470.70793).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 water around this point.The Base Camp Descabezado Grande area 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 gembit sandy but better further up.
===Access to Start===Day 07 The trail starts in the tiny village Radal near the cascade "Siete Tazas". During the main season in January Last pass 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.New route possibly
Update 12 Feb 2020 Frank: 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 summer our route there are 6 buses was only one difficulty and that was a day Molinadeep gorge and creek "jump" at -Parque Ingles35.57904, -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.
Mon-Sat they leave Molina @ 10:20, 11:30, 12:40, 3PM, 6:15PM, 8:15 PMSunday Molina- Parque Ingles 7:45, 9:30, 2PM, 7:30PM, 10PM2 hours to Parque Ingles, buses leave from terminal near main plaza in MolinaI drew the route on my photos of the pass if anyone wants them.Parque Ingles-Molina 7:10, 11, 1PM, 3:45PM, 4:45PM, 6:30PM Mon-SatSunOtherwise here is my description of our route. 10:30, 1:30PM, 3:30PM, 5:45PM, 6:45PM
===Return from Finish===Bus Termas El Medano From the small trickle creek at - Talca35.54575, -70.75672 head SW up the creek bed in the direction of this easy pass ***-35.55513, -70.76977. Nearby spots would work too except for the pass directly above the creek bed, the other side of that one had snow and rocks. After this pass I believe it is easiest to just go straight down and up like a half pipe rather than trying to traverse and keep elevation, we aimed for a middle looking plateau on the other side, this middle plateau took us to the proper crossing of the gorge here, -35.57923, -70.77864 (más o menos). We jumped the gorge and climbed easily up the other side although the other side looks like a scramble it was actually just walking. We travesed this altitude for a little longer (although I would suggest easier walking a little lower) until we made camp in a ravine very close to the Descabezado approach route. Our camp even had a small amount of flowong snow melt so it was heaven in my mind! (Camp with water; -35.59280, -70.78723).
10:30, 3:40 and 18:30Day 8Descabezado & Azul.
This is turning into a novel so I will keep this short. We left our tent in place and set off early to 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".
This trail section finished at route should be avoided for many reasons apart from the Route 115 fact that the other route is easier despite elevation gain (we took the other route back). This osm route took us here -35.61301, -70.75604 which was actually a glacier covered in sand with a small hanging glacier above causing a lot of rockfall, it was a very ugly place and we carefully got out of there and made or way to the proper route to Azul. Despite loosing almost 2hours on an already tight day we continued (although I wasted an extra 30min due to making up my mind🙄). Once again on the way up to Azul we did not follow the normal way but went to the east side of the crater of Azul where the bad osm route is. There were a foot print here and there but it was CC. The crater was amazing but too windy to enjoy much, we saw a few fumaroles. We continued CC to the base of Azul, a tiny bit of snow (or glacier remnants?) but posed no difficulties. The base of Azul is beautiful with melt water if needed. We followed the ridge to Azul, it was more involved than Descabezado but no more than a low 3rd class (it is a bit exposed and steep but almost exclusively hiking). There is a interesting summit tower on Azul but because of the wind and time we had no desire to stretch our limits. Weather moved in fast and before we were off the ridge of Azul we were completely covered in a white out, maybe maximum 10m of visibility. Navigation was incredibly hard but we took our chances and took the other ("valle") OSM route down and luckily it was a very easy route and we were down below the clouds and able to see again. The rest of the night was CC back to Talcaour camp ~1030pm. It as a good day.
===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)Day 9.
==Regular Route=====Regular Hiking Route===If you want From our camp in the ravine we headed CC and then onto the trail that lead to see the cascades Siete Tazas about 7 km after the start in Radal you are charged puesto at basecamp Blancquillo and from then on we were on a rather high entrance fee depending if you are a national or a foreign touristgood trail. If you don’t want While walking down we opted to spend the money stay in sandals and just walk in the time don’t worry; you will see plenty more cascades for free on river, it was refreshing. We didn't have clean water until 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| valley bottom at the CONAF camp (Start to) valley El Boslon| Refuge (GPT01-WP011venado)| 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 where there was also lots of pear trees and optional side trip to hidden lakes| Camp (GPT01yellow plum-WP036)| 16 km| 1010 m| 900 m| 05:40|-| G| 1-2| Finish| Bus Stop like trees. Many people there (GPT01-WP043first people seen) or Bus Stop . We made camp at the river before the pass (GPT01-WP045Mirador del valle del venado)| 25 km| 170 m| 1430 m| 06:00|}but the walk from the CONAF camp until then was slower than expected because it was along a river bed with confusing tracks.
Day 10.
'''Stage A: Start to El Bolson'''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.
If you leave in the morning in Radal you can reach in one day the camp Great trip, beautiful views and refuge El Bolson. Parque Ingles is a good place for a lunch breakdetails and just the right amount of challenge.
'''Stage B: * 2023-Jan-20-23 / SOBO / RR / Ondrej / Parque Inglés - El Boslon to Laguna Mondaca'''Medano / 3.5 days
From El Bolson I got to Parque Inglés from Santiago de Chile by taking a train to Curico (advice: if you get in one day want to the Laguna Mondacatravel by train, buy a ticket online at least 2 days in advance as it books out quickly). If you partition this stage differently be aware that there are no inviting camp sites between the Laguna las Ánimas From Curico I took a blue collectivo to Molina and the Laguna Mondaca. This stage should not be attempted in bad weatherthen a bus to Parque Ingles.
At the park entrance I was turned away by a CONAF officer because I bought a “day trip” ticket (El bolson - para día) and not the one with overnight camping. For the ticket I bought they allow entry only by 11:00am. I did not explain that I will continue beyond El Bolson - maybe I should have done that but did not want to get myself into more unnecessary discussions. CONAF said they cannot change my ticket to the “camping” type and when I tried to book the other one, it was booked out for the next two days, so the advice is book early and the right ticket type (el bolson - camping)!
'''Stage C: Laguna Mondaca to Termas de Azufre'''I ended up camping at the Rocas Basilicas for the night.
Going from On the Laguna Mondaca first hike day hopped the gate to the Termas park at 7:00. No one was there so no issues. I hiked to Thermas de Azufre makes . It was a short relexing very long 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 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 hot spring bothers youAzufre hotsprings, than you can camp on one of the meadows a bit few arrieros were there. I decided to camp further upthe river.
On the second day I hiked to Refugio Blanquillo, met a settler who resides there for three months each year (if I understood correctly). The scenery before the refugio was otherwoŕldy and beautiful. Gaiters, good hat, sunscreen and sunglasses were my most loved pieces of gear. I camped at the first “camp” waypoint after Refugio Blanquillo. Amazing place to camp (but no grass), with a good stream and even some small shade thanks to the bushes.
'''Stage D: Termas de Azufre My third day was quite straightforward, I made it almost to Base Camp Descabezado Grande'''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.
The rather long On the fourth day hike from I walked through the hot springs 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 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 camp Descabezado Grande requires reasonable good weather as you cross - 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 2700 m passsmall shop.
Overall a fantstic section but I wasn’t expecting the heat to be that oppresive!
'''Optional Stage E* 5 days, 75 miles, 15K ft ascent,Dec. 31-Jan 3, 2023 David and ErikaSOBOGet to TH Parque ingle before 1: Summit Descabezado'''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.
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.
* 2022-Dec-28-29 / SOBO / RR / Tomáš
'''Stage F: Base Camp Descabezado Grande I connected in Thermas Azufre from GPT 05. I recommend it as a camping spot. I have seen the tracks of people staying on the western side of the valley but I think it is better to Laguna Hornitos'''ford, there is anoce trail there on the eastern side. There is a place with and island where I needed to remove my shoes just for about three meters (the stream was not strong enough for me to keep the shoes on).
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 I took a more relaxing day after you got up detour to the summit of lake at the Descabezado Grandepass - nice. There No snow anymore. Reached the Refugio Blanquillo (which is a suitable puesto, an arriero had two dogs and a thousand shep there), met a group of tourists oj horses and two Chilean hikers there, so crowded all of a sudden. The pool there is indeed lukewarm. The water from the stream is said not to be good - I filtered it (for the first time on GPT) and was fine. But if not climbing the volcano, I would recommend to camp site about 2 km after further at the Laguna Caracol in a wide open treeless valleynext water source. The pass between this camp site I no longer carry water with me and just drink a lot when I find a source, there is a lot of them, even in the Laguna Hornitos should semidesert (the sand is actually white pumice from the volcanoes). It is quite dusty, my hands got dry and that normally does not be done in poor weatherhappen to me.I agree with the recommendation to apply sunscreen at least three times a day!
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 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 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.
'''Stage G: Laguna Hornitos to Finish'''*20. - 24. Dec 2022 / Will / SOBO, Parque Inglés - Los Cipreses
From Amazing trail! It's quite desolate but the Laguna Hornitos you can walk in one short day landscape varies enough to the hydropower station Cipreses and the first bus stop on the Route 115always keep things interesting. To Trudging up the regular finish at sandy hills could be demoralizing, but getting to run down the second bus stop on the Route 115 it’s a rather long dayother side more than made up for it. If you do Water was still plentiful though not want much snow was left, I only had to arrive in Talca late in cross a few small patches. Thankfully heat wasn't a problem at all for me, I even felt cold a few times with the evening you may opt to camp near the finish on the banks of the river Maule altitude and take the a bus in morningwind.
===Regular Packrafting Route===Not applicableCaught the 5pm bus from Molina to Radal for 3000 pesos, then a van came by a few minutes later to take us to parque inglés for another 3000. Was nice to meet a bunch of Chilean hikers, who were all going to El Bolson and back. We camped at the Rocas Basílicas campsite right at parque inglés, 7000 pesos next to a beautiful river.
==Optional Routes====Investigations and Explorations====Links to other Resources====Alerts and Logs of Past Seasons====Older information I had phone signal at parque inglés, so I bought the pass online for review==[[File:01 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, El Bolsón8 USD.jpg|thumb|El Bolsón]][[File:02 Greater Patagonian TrailThere was no one at the Conaf office at 7 30 the next morning, 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 Descabezadoso I just hopped the gate and walked through.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 I ran into a few arrieros relaxing 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)| NiceAzufre hot springs, reasonable priced camp site in Radal. Recommen¬ded place for the first night if arriving in only people I saw along 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 They were friendly 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 was tough to cross. Yon need to cross the river to avoid rocky terrain ahead.|-| River Crossing (GPT01-WP019)| Difficult river crossing during snowmelt and after understand their heavy rainChilean Spanish. 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 They said I could 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 them but you need there wasn't 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 ton 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 room so I walked 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 There were some geysers shooting up 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 muddy riverbank near the trail occasionally splits and peters out gpx track 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 I took a suitable location to cross the smaller valley aheadwider route around. 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 An arriero also told me to change frequently its bed so look yourself for take 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 higher up to ridge and trail yourself.|-| GPT01-TR006-1| Follow along the generally well visible trail until reaching the hot springs (GPT01-WP020). Continue on this trail until getting dunes so I followed that 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)ford. 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 ford looked tough so I kept walking 2ish km before along 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 other 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)I could easily hop across. 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 But it was slow going, probably not worth 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.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 the Base Camp Descabezado Grande.jpg|Leaving 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 DescabezadoI ended up having to camp on a random sand dune.jpgFile:47 Greater Patagonian TrailI had some trouble getting my tent to stay up tied to rocks, Volcan Descabezadosince I couldn't get stakes in.jpgFile:48 Greater Patagonian TrailI'd definitely recommend using tieouts you can really secure to rocks, Volcan Descabezadoor even a freestanding tent.jpg</gallery>
==Related Routes on Wikiexplora====Related Blogs The 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 Online Publications==[[category:Greater Patagonian Trail]]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.
{{Draft}}[[File:18 Greater Patagonian Trail, The side trip up Volcan Descabezado.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 TrailLos Hornitos was very worth it, Volcan Descabezadothere's a fairly gradual trail up and you can just sprint straight down.jpg|ComentariosImagen=Towards Azufre hot springs|KMLZ=GPT06 - Volcán DescabezadoI didn't even need to bring any water (just some gummy bears).kmz|TipoDeMap=HYBRID|ComentariosMapa={{GPT KMZ}}}}{{Table all GPTs}}
==Recent Alerts and Suggestions==Drinking the water of the hot springs is not recommended because it I got by without gaiters, but bring them if you can upset your stomach. Better take fresh water from I should have used more sunscreen, the river or a cold spring nearby.When climbing reflection off 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 summitsand is strong.
==Season Section Log==
2019-Dec-18 / Tyler & America / Regular route from Vilches Alto
5 Days. A Stunning section. Vilches Alto made for a great optional start; rather than returning to Parque Ingles. (We came from Talca by bus - 2100 CP). Entrance fee was 6000 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) to Talca for a good re supply before the long next section, 2200 CP. Bus leaves this stop around 11.
2019* 2022-Dec-18 20 / Matus & Anna SOBO / RR / Regular route from optional startWe combined sections 5 and 6 via optional trail. GPT06 took us 2 days and bit (first day we did just 4km from 6th section).I agree with everything what 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 one on the right side and after while they merged. And I don't know who was so commited, but thanks for marking the trail 😊/ Martin & Helena
There is a small tienda Joining section 6 directly from the previous one with coke and crisps before entering a main road little challenging connection trail (see our comment from Los Cipresssection 5), we continued to the Hot Spring del Azufre. If you continue by main road toward 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 little slower, but the opposite when going down. We camped at the El Medano 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 the gps, there is restaurant Cordillera where one place, probably used by arrieros, with a fireplace and a few rocks around it. Being out of the gas we refueled 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, againreally nice hiking on a clear trail. Accomodation Last few kms on the road and since we missed the only bus to Talca that is leaving early in El Medanothe morning (7:00) and did not have luck with hitchhiking, we stayed in a camp right next to the road. I will edit Its just a few meters before it, in the same direction we came from. On the left side is a house with ressuply options latersome 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 for 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.
2019-Dec-14 / Martina & Ivo / 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 Animas, 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.Contact: @martin_hanzelka @helenneka
Linda //
Start = 6 december 2019 at Parque Ingles // Regular Route //
4 days Southbound //
Finish = Las Termas El Medano //
GENERAL FEELING*14. - 16. Dec 2022 / Anna&Christopher / SOBO, Parque Inglés - Los Cipreses
Amazing The section !!!! Incredible mineral landscapes as soon as you go beyond Laguna Las Animas. It was is pretty tough because of the passes (and this was also my first hiking days and I carried too much food , but beautiful with a quite unique landscape... ) and the ground around the volcanoes is sand ! So We definetly would do it makes each step even more difficultagain. 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 !!!
LOGISTICSRecomendations: bring lots of suncreme, a good hat, gaiters.
- Bus from Molina How to El Radal (off season and weekdays = only one get there:We took a bus from Santiago (terminal at 5pm the metro station Universidad de Santiago) to Curico. Across the street from the bus terminal in Curico leaves a blue bus to Molina that stops in El Radalfor 1k CLP. Weekend : it goes directly From Molina we hitchhiked to Parque Ingles Inglés.You 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 schedule may park entry is also be different)8k CLP p.p.
- Hitchhiked The first day we started early from El Radal Bolson. From midday on it was super tough due to Parque Inglesthe white sand which makes walking really tiring and reflects the sun which makes it super hot without shade. The next day was pretty similar.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.
- First night in a camping in Parque Ingles = 5000 CLP
- 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 !
- Still snow when you go beyond the 2300 meters high*3 to 6 of December 2022 / Véronica / GTP06 RR SOBO / 3.5 days
Route: Parque Inglés - 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 trackLaguna Ánimas - Termas del Azufre - Termas del Blanquillo - Laguna del Caracol - Laguna de los Hornos - Los Cipreses
- No problem to go out from the mineA beautiful, remote section of true mountain wilderness. ActuallyIt took me 4 days, workers I met on my way down but only 2 hours hiking the dirt road to Los Cipreses suggestedto drop me by car to on the main roadlast day (so very doable in 3 days). The guard was just smiling when he 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 the car and when I told him over 10 years. I was hikingglad to have my microspikes for the vast snow fields near/on the passes. A couple places would have felt quite unsafe without them.
- Mini market where you can find basic food (eggs, spaghetti, chocolate ...) in Las Termas El MedanoNotable tidbits:
==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 Took a bus from Molina at 5pm (VIIon a Friday)|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" | to El Radal|style="background-color:#bfbfbf;"| Minor Roads (MR)|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|14, then hitchhiked to Parque Inglés.4 km|style="background-color:#ffbfbf;"|16I camped there the first night for 7000 pesos.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: DecPricey, 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 (but at least 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|}had a beautiful and secluded spot by Rio Claro.
==Satellite Image Map====Elevation Profile==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 Termas, you 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, that was super cool.
==Section Planning Status==For the first ford after Termas de Azufre, I crossed further upstream than indicated on the GPS track (see Carlos's comment below). It looked a lot safer there than downstream. There's continuous snow for about 3 km going over the pass after Thermas de Azufre, best to cross in the morning to avoid postholing when the snow gets too soft.
==Recommended Travel Period==This traverse is best be hiked between December and April. After Los Hornitos pass has a mild winter with less large, very steep lip of 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-WP019leftover cornice)on its south side. If you plan to get up It's possible to go around it by heading north for 50-100 meters and then making your way down on 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 gonevolcanic sand.
==Benefits of Hiking and Packrafting====Recommended Travel Direction==The treck can be hiked spring between Termas del Blanquillo and Laguna del Caracol is a beautiful little desert oasis in either direction but doing it from South to North requires an entrence permit from the hydropower station Cipreses (See Permits orherwise hot and Entrance Fees)dry stretch. Therefore southbound is the recommended directionIt was a splendid spot to camp.
==Section Length There is LOTS of water. Laguna del Caracol and Travel Duration==The trail can be hiked in 6 days but plan some contingency in case Laguna de los Hornos are both full of bad weather or if you suddenly fall in love with one clear, refreshing water. A lot of the amazing places "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 routetracks. If But the climate does not favor yousection is very exposed, no shade, than you should not attempt to cross and very hot in 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 midday sun unless a bit further upbreeze is blowing.
==Suitable Section Combinations==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.
==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====*20 Feb 2022 / Molly / RR southbound, 4 days
===Resupply on Amazing section! I found the Trail===landscape to be very varied despite the lack of vegetation - and even with many pretty flowers near the streams. I personally found it to be a great ending to my GPT journey, a big contrast to the landscapes further south. Would make for a tough start though.====LocationPlenty of water. Met one hiker doing Circuito el Cóndor and three Chilean tourists on horseback. No arrieros, Names, Available Items but plenty of cows and Services====horses. The weather was cold and windy, sometimes veritable sandstorms which meant I almost couldn't open my eyes - maybe sunglasses could have helped. I wore my long pants over my boots instead of gaiters - should have listened to the advice, so much sand!
==Access Signs on the way to Route 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 Return==long before in case they insist. You have to be there before 15 to be let through to El Bolsón.The last settlement on the trail is Parque Ingles about 10 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 RadalValle del Indio. This is also Nice enough place next to the last opportunity impressive Colmillo del Diablo. In hot weather it might be nice to spoil yourself with camp here to take the long ascent in the morning.Laguna de las Animas would be a good meal in campsite plus a restaurant and nice place to buy some goodiesswim. On the trail that follows 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 only two occasionally used puestos; one at 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 de Azufre (GPT01Blanquillo, 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 -WP020) 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 second one at 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 Base Camp campsite afterwards, with views of both Volcán Descabezado Grande (GPT01-WP024)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 20 km from Radal to El Bolson are streams at the top of the pass were dry, but the path crosses a popular hiking destination for national touristsstream in 2100 m altitude. Some go If you fill up at the water waypoint before the pass I agree you wouldn't have to carry extra water, the Laguna las Ánimas 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 few continue beyond this if you walk to the highest pointthe view is nice enough. It took me 20 minutes in total, and it was about worth that.The Base Camp Descabezado Grande gravel road is frequently visited by national and international tourists coming from Vilches Altonice the first kilometres, but then it gets pretty boring. Also horseback tours often stop The security guard at the end was very nice and rest herewelcoming.Hardly any hikers take I camped at the scenic trail from shop just before the Base Camp Descabezado Grande via road - nice place by the Laguna Caracol to the hydropower station Cipresesriver, 3000 per person with toilets and a cold shower, or 50,000 for a cabaña. It’s From there I hitched the 3 km down the road to Restaurant Cordillera, nice enough, great with a hidden gembeer, 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
===Access * 20 to Start===25th January 2022 / Carlos / GPT06 RR SOBOThe 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 Route: Parque Ingles. Outside of the main season there is only one daily bus from Molina to Radal leaving in the afternoon from the rural Inglés - El Bolsón (Colmillo del Diablo summit) - Termas del Azufre - Termas del Blanquillo - Laguna Caracol - First bus station in Molinastop on CH115 road.
===Return from Finish===Bus Termas El Medano - TalcaI hiked this route only a couple of days after Verónica & Jo. Not much to add except:
10:30 First day just hiked to El Bolsón (easy 4 hours), pitched my tent on the gorgeous campsite, left the heavy load and 18:30climbed the imposing "Colmillo del Diablo" (easy hike on a trail that goes around the back of the mountain).
From Termas del Azufre climbing to 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).
This trail section finished at the Route 115 Plenty of buses Molina - Parque Inglés. But only one bus from el Médano - Los Cipreses to Talca, at around 7 am, which returns at 15:00. Only week days. Basic camping just in front of Los Cipreses shop (only ice cream, drinks, choco bars, biscuits): $4.000 pp.
===Escape Options=====Permits, Entry Fees and Right* 2022-of01-Way Issues==CONAF does register all trekkers at Parque Ingles (GPT0110 to 2022-WP004) but does not charge an entrance fee. Camp fires are not permitted within the national park that reaches from Radal (GPT0101-WP00115 | Veronika & Jo | GPT06 (only) to the RR SOBORoute: Parque Inglès -> Laguna de las Ánimas (GPT01Animas -WP013).> Termas de Azufre -> Descabezado base camp -> Laguna del Caracol -> Laguna Hornitos -> First bus stop on 115-CH
==Regular Route=====Regular Hiking Route===If you want to see the cascades Siete Tazas about 7 km after the start The five nights we just spent in Radal you are charged a rather high entrance fee depending if you are tent was the longest stretch we have ever gone without a national or decent bed on a foreign touristhike. 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| We skipped Radal, Laguna Mondaca| Camp (GPT01-WP016)| 16 km| 1000 m| 1210 m| 05:20|-| C| 1| and Termas de Azufre| Hot SpringMedano, Camp & Puesto (GPT01but still hiked in 6 days what others did in 3-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 4. We're basically easing into the GPT, gaining some fitness 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|}experience before taking on the harder challenges.
As others have said: the views are otherworldly and stunning. We felt like Touaregs traveling from oasis to oasis in the Saharan desert. Except that there actually are plenty of springs and little rivers flowing in most valleys.
'''Stage AUseful tidbits: Start to El Bolson'''
If - There really is no shade after El Bolsòn. Either you leave in the morning in Radal make your own (e.g., adapting your tent to not trap heat) or you can reach in one day dress like a Touareg (loose clothing fully blocking the camp and refuge El Bolsonsun). Parque Ingles is a good place for a lunch breakFor 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.
- High-heeled boots and long trousers work well to keep the sand out.
'''Stage B- Confirming Shn0rhelez: El Boslon going up from Termas de Azufre until the second ford indeed passes plenty of water, no need to Laguna Mondaca'''carry any.
From El Bolson you get in one day to the - Laguna MondacaHornitos is drying up and hence less beautiful than the other lakes. If you partition this stage differently be aware that there are no inviting Maybe it's better to camp sites between at the Laguna las Ánimas and start of the Laguna Mondaca. This stage should not be attempted in bad weatherHornitos plateau (SOBO, so north entry) as the area is flat and there is reasonably clean running water there.
- There is no bus to Talca from Los Cipreses on saturdays or sundays. We asked at the shop and got a ride to Colorado from the brother-in-law of the shopkeeper for 15000 CLP.
'''Stage C: Laguna Mondaca to Termas - In supermarkets, you can buy alcohol desnaturalizado cheaply in the nail polish section, or alternatively, use alcohol de Azufre'''quemar from the combustibles section.
Going from * 26/12 2021 to 04/01 2022 Section 6 and 7 (option) Sobo 9 days From Parque Inglés to the Laguna Mondaca entrance of Reserva AchibuenoBuy your ticket online for “El Bolsón” on the CONAF website and get to the Termas de Azufre makes trailhead before 3pm4hrs hike to El Bolsón, a short relexing day 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 gives you pleanty holidays Easy hitch from Radal to Parque Ingles coz lots of time 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 enjoy Laguna Mondaca in the morning before leaving 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't like Altos de Lircay NP : 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 hot springs place so inhospitable, monotonous sights : sand dunes for ever, quite some struggling pedalling in afternoon the soft sand, plus I had no gaiters (stupid me) and evening when arrivinglow heels shoes so that was a bummer. If However the sulfor smell at 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 spring bothers (I added these informations to the track and waypoints I sent to Jan Dudek) so don't be like me fantasizing all day on that fantastic bath you, than will get or wait for Jan's update (thanks so so much for all you can camp do mate).After resupplying I hitched on one of option 7 XXX all the meadows a bit further upway 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
* 12 Feb Frank RR Southbound
At the end of GPT06 if you go on the north bank of Rio Maule the route is blocked by a cliff beyond Los Alamos & you need to cross the river to continue. Better to go on the road. After 2KM on the road you pass 2 shops, better food selection than in El Medano. They have accommodation also. At Bridge 17 you can rejoin RR or continue on road but RR is nicer.
'''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.* 09 - 12 December 2021, SOBO, Vera & James
We arrived the day before at Parque Ingles and camped the night there. From Molina there is a bus to Radal at 5pm wed-fri, and direct to Parque Ingles on weekends. The only way to pay for park entry is online at www.aspticket.cl.
'''Optional Stage E: Summit Descabezado'''As 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.
The climb can be done in one day or split Day 1 we headed up in two. The disavantage of doing it in two days is the leak of RR as far as just above Laguna de las Animas by 2pm, a reliable water supply further up towards brutal climb in the summit once midday sun! At this point the snow is gone. If you do the climb sun disappeared and clouds quickly rolled in one day you may desire a rest day either before or after , within 10 minutes lightning was hitting the climbpeaks directly around us. An extra day gives you also We beat a buffer if the weather is not optimal for an ascenthasty retreat back to El Bolsen and camped there.
We decided to take the alternate route past Laguna Manatial Pelado. A beautiful route if hot and sandy. We have realised the best time time to take on a long, sandy ascent in sunny weather is very early in the morning, after 9am it was brutally hot.
We then continued on the regular route. As has been said before, it'''Stage F: Base Camp Descabezado Grande to Laguna s remote and stunning. We had some strong winds coming over Pass de Hornitos''', and even some sleet on the final day!
This stage can be hiked Arrived in one dayLos Cipreses on a Sunday and we didn't see a single person except the security guard. Alternatively you may partition this stage in two if you want to explore We got mixed messages from him and then the hidden lakes after the Laguna Caracol or if you simply need a more relaxing day after you got up mini shop owner about buses to the summit of the Descabezado GrandeTalca. There is I would assume there isn't one on a suitable camp site about 2 km after the Laguna Caracol in Sunday. We hitched to El Colorado then got a wide open treeless valley. The pass between this camp site and the Laguna Hornitos should not be done in poor weatherbus from there to Talca.
* 2021 Dec: 03-09, SOBO, RR, Kris&Stiina
'''Stage G: Laguna Hornitos We also decided to Finish'''combine sections 5 and 6 to avoid in’n’out to and from Parque Inglés. 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 point 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. But only for a moment, once you hit the rock bottom there is only one way to go - up! It was literally and figuratively, and as terrain improved so did our mood and we laughed off the silly thoughts we had had earlier.
From The first 45km of the Laguna Hornitos you can walk in one short day to the hydropower station Cipreses section 5 were great, awesome hiking and then shit hit the first bus stop on the Route 115fan real quick. To Ascent up from the regular finish ford at km 45 was hard but alright. And then came the second bus stop on the Route 115 it’s a rather long daydescent down to Rio Negro (51km), very steep and very loose scree slope. If you do not want We wanted to arrive in Talca late in make it to Rio Colorado for the evening you may opt night to camp near cross it early in the finish on morning in case there is no bridge. But because the banks trail or I must rather say the lack of it was really taking more time than we expected, by the time we got to Rio Negro it was already getting dark. The river Maule was very rapid and take murky so you couldn’t gauge the a bus in morningdepth of it and couldn’t see where to step, we had to really concentrate to cross it, luckily it was only balls deep.
===Regular Packrafting Route===Not applicableIt was dark as we got across it and we continued the fun, albeit type 2 fun, illuminated by our headlamps. Then came the insanely steep gully that allowed you to enter the valley of Rio Colorado. Something was off with the elevation lines on Gaia and it showed that we will be descending right over the cliff, it was luckily only a glitch. As we couldn’t see much ahead we kept descending ever so carefully on this very very challenging terrain, I would even go as far as to say that it was stupid and outright dangerous. But there was no other way, you just had to stay focused. There were also some rocks falling off the cliff under which we were descending. In a sense night was a good time to do it because you couldn’t see all the dangers - only what lie within the beam of the headlamp.
==Optional Routes====Investigations Then came an extremely slow going, pretty much crawling speed traverse down to Rio Colorado, which we fully improvised as there was no trail anyway and Explorations====Links got down 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 TrailRio colorado about a kilometer before the bridge, Volcan Descabezadowhere we set up camp abit past midnight.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)| NiceSo yes, reasonable priced camp site in Radal. Recommen¬ded place for the first night if arriving in the evening.|bridge was there -| 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.|-| Diversiondecent one, CONAF & Camp $ (GPT01-WP005)| The hiking trail starts left. You should register at the CONAF office. There is seemed permanent and it was 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 relief that can shelter for up we at least don’t have to 4 persons.|-| Pass 2260 m (GPT01-WP012)| First pass with nice view back into start 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 rainday by risking our lives fording Rio Colorado. 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 was pretty wide and after heavy rain. The river often changes it's bed therefore look for the optimal place to cross.|-| Hot Springcurrent seemed pretty fast, 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 it wasn’t murky though but you may heat water and food at the hot steam vents (follow the noise)couldn’t see how deep it really was. Good camp site if you tolerate the sulphur smell. The posteros arrive But we think it could have been forded 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 case there would be unreliable and depending on snowmeltno bridge. 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 There were 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 few places 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 looked doable 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 woodsomewhat laminar flow. 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 excitement 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 existence of the gate if locked.|-| Gate ? (GPT01-WP042)| Gate of hydropower station that was not used bridge didn’t last too long as we were slapped back into reality 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 difficult terrain, it wasn’t as dangerous anymore as the Route 115 to Talca.|-| Gate (GPT01-WP044)| Manned main gate of hydropower station Cipreses. You can leave anytime previous night but you need a permit from the hydro¬power station for enteringdifficult nevertheless. You may ask the leaving employees for a ride Once we got closer to Talca.|-| Bus Stop (GPT01-WP045)| Unmarked bus stop on the Route 115 to Talcapass the trail appeared and it was actually pleasant hiking once again.|}
===Tracks==={| class="wikitable"! style="text-align: left;" width="105" | Track Name! Comment|-| GPT01-TR001-2| Take To sum it up the public gravel road from Radal descent down to Parque Ingles. Only few vehicles use this road but traffic increases in January the Rio Colorado valley, then traversing it and February.|-| GPT01-TR002-1| The track starts left at the entrance first part 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 crawling out so try to follow of 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 valley sucks big time, but follow the GPS trek that descents directly towards rest of the Laguna Mondaca. During the descent the trail section 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 really nice 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 too challenging river crossing (GPT01terrain-WP018)wise. The river seams I wouldn’t want 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 skip 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 section because it had some firewood in the sediment field starts about 1 km before the campbreathingtaking views. 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 Just that on the right side and follow the meandering river the feed the lake. After the spring hard part 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 can’t really enjoy any 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 115it as all your effort is elsewhere. Not recommended!|}
===Image Gallery===<gallery> File:19 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan DescabezadoThe guards at Laguna Mondaca were the nicest people we have met in Chile so far.PNGFile:20 Greater Patagonian TrailThey invited us to stay at the property, Volcan Descabezadogave us food and drinks.PNGFile:21 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan DescabezadoThey insisted we don’t use any of our supplies or gear.jpgFile:23 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan DescabezadoThey even provided us with a room with a bed and we got to recharge all of our electronics and got a hot shower aswell.PNGFile:24 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgFile:25 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgFile:26 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Leaving It was perfect! And just to make it clear there are no fancy villas there just a few small simple houses where the Base Camp Descabezado Grande.jpg|Leaving owner of the Base Camp Descabezado GrandeFile:27 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado, Hot springs at Base Camp Descabezado Grandeproperty comes for fishing once in a while.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 Descabezado.jpgFile:47 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan Descabezado.jpgFile:48 Greater Patagonian Trail, Volcan DescabezadoAnd guards weren’t armed either.jpg</gallery>
==Related Routes on Wikiexplora====Related Blogs It took us 4 days to get to Laguna Mondaca and Online Publications==[[category:Greater Patagonian Trail]]not far after it we joined the section 6 which took 2 and a half more days.
{{Draft}}[[File:18 Greater Patagonian TrailSection 6 was really something, Volcan Descabezadowe haven’t had such a strong otherworldly experience anywhere else.PNG|thumb|1100px|center|In It was really like being on another planet at times. The blue sky was 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 Descabezadoonly thing that gave it away that we were still on Earth.jpg|ComentariosImagen=Towards Azufre hot springs|KMLZ=GPT06 - Volcán DescabezadoReally bizarre landscape and definitely the most beautiful breathtaking section of the six that we have done so far.kmz|TipoDeMap=HYBRID|ComentariosMapa={{GPT KMZ}}}}{{Table all GPTs}}
==Recent Alerts and Suggestions==Drinking the water of Regarding the hot springs is not recommended because difficulty, compared to section 5 it can upset your stomachdidn’t feel that difficult at all. Better take fresh water from the river or a cold spring nearbyWalking on sand is challenging, yes, especially going uphill.When climbing But on the Descabezado Grande take plenty of water from other side going down is much easier on the base camp in particular if soft sand - you plan to spend one night higher up. You may refill can just run/jog without much impact on your supplies with snow near body as the summitsand absorbs it all. Shoes got completely wrecked and we took many “shoe-emptying” breaks because they were just filled with rocks and coarse sand.
==Season Section Log==2019-Dec-14 / Lea Geibel & Kevin Moe / Regular Route from Parque Ingles / Southbound / 4 days plus 1 day Summiting We even took a dip in one of the lakes close to Descabezado GrandeThe section and seeing how water is incredibly beautiful. No problems finding water despite rather hot temperatures. The ground (loose pumice) makes walking a bit slower and turned just coming out to really dry out our skin (especially feet, which could cause painful cracks of the sand and blisters). Summiting Descabezado Grande is turning into a beautiful and straightforward (and very rewarding) day trip (5-7 hours up and 2 hours down). The route river was completely snow-free when we wentreally really cool, however, some bad weather rolled in during just as the day and caused quite a bit of fresh snow fall on the upper ~500m (which didn't seem to melt for a few days either)whole landscape around there.
2019-Dec-18 / Tyler & America / Regular route We camped at the lake about 5km from Vilches Alto5 DaysLos Cipreses. A Stunning section. Vilches Alto made for a great optional start; rather than returning When we arrived to the road to take bus to Parque Ingles. (We came from Talca the bus stop didn’t have any schedule and the shop close by bus - 2100 CP). Entrance fee was 6000 and camping 3000 PPclosed. All trails were beautiful So we couldn’t find out about the bus schedule 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 traffic on the first road access (south seemed pretty dead. But luckily after 15 min of town Los Cipreses/ OH-MR-V@06-E-#001) waiting a car that was going to Talca for a good re supply before the long next sectionpicked us up, 2200 CP. Bus leaves this stop around 11.perfecto!
2019-Dec-18 / Matus & Anna / Regular route from optional startWe combined Overall plenty of water on both sections 5 , a lot of exposure to the sun, and 6 via optional trailsome challenging terrain. GPT06 took us 2 days and bit (first day we did It all together made for a great experience, just 4km from 6th section).I agree with everything what was written in previous updates.Nice sandy trails. Mornings we were freezing coldlooking for. No problems while crossing rivers. After optional start regular trail didn't correspond with any trail. We finally took one on the right side It humbled us and after while they mergedwe definitely had to adjust our expectations and recalibrate our way of hiking, it is GPT - not more and not less. And I don't know who was so commited, but thanks for marking the trail 😊
There is a small tienda with coke For more stories of the trail, pictures, videos and crisps before entering a main road from Los Cipress. 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 later. case you want to ask us anything you can find us on Instagram: @smallfootprint_bigadventures
2019-Dec-14 / Martina & Ivo / 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 Animas, 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.
Linda // [[Archivo:Greater Patagonian Trail (9).jpg|thumb|GPT06 - Volcán Descabezado]]Start = [[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 december ]]*Start Date: December 24, 2019 at Parque Ingles // Regular Route //4 days *Section: GPT 5 + 6 Southbound *Duration: 7 days*Name// Alias: Ian Hikes + TobiasFinish = Las Termas El Medano /*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 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.com
GENERAL FEELING
Amazing section !!!! Incredible mineral landscapes as soon as you go beyond Laguna *2020-Jan-23 Shn0rhelez/ Parque Ingles to El Medano southbound/main route ... 7 days duration(2 nights spent on laguna Las Animas). It was tough because of the passes (and this was also my first hiking days and I carried too much food ..section passable. ) and the ground around ..Strong sun, no shadow after the volcanoes is sand ! So it makes each step even more difficultpark... Gaiters strongly recommended... I loved the contrast SUBsection between the areas around the volcanoes termas del azufre and second ford Before the Laguna Caracol pass (2700m) is full with water... my personal apinion is just one of the most beautiful place I've ever seen !!backpack weight can be minimized... Good luck!
LOGISTICS2020-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 Ánimas, 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.
- 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)
- Hitchhiked from El Radal to Parque Ingles
- First night in a camping in Parque Ingles = 5000 CLP
- 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 !
- Still snow when you go beyond the 2300 meters high
- 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
- 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-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]]
