CAJAS NATIONAL PARK

Today I went hiking in Cajas National Park with James, Pat and Shabbaz.. Cajas is 45 minutes west of Cuenca. The area is spectacular. The day was brisk, mostly cloudy, but very invigorating. I  had to force myself to hike as there were pictures everywhere I looked. Hiking anywhere in natures environment,  is very much like a spiritual experience. This hike, in these dramatic mountains,  followed by a delicious fresh trout lunch was totally beyond words. Just plain wondrous.

 This structure is a Yurt under construction to 

accommodate overnight  hikers

Chuguiraga jussieui

Flor de Montana

We passed several lakes filled with trout. 

Trout are not native to these mountains but the lakes  have been 

stocked with trout from United States and Canada

Plantago rigida

These plants form a compact mound

Halenia serpyllifolia

Deers Head

Puya clauia-herculis

A yucca plant

The quiet and breathtaking scenery is very moving. 

Gentianella-hirculus

Globito

 Having completed our glorious hike, we await our meal

served in a completed Yurt

Two weeks later a second hike took me way up and I mean up

  to this waterfall.(13500 ft)
We started at 12000ft

Wermeria pumila

Gentianella rapunculoides

Our intrepit leader --- James

Some places were more difficult than others

But we made it!

From Pond

To Bucket

To Cleaning

To Wok

 DEE-licious

Perfect end to a perfect day