Cajas National Park


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July 28th 2010
Published: July 28th 2010
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Cajas National ParkCajas National ParkCajas National Park

Entrance sign to Cajas National Park
Saturday was a free day. We decided some R&R was the right thing to do! So, Jennilynn introduced us to the idea of going to the Baños (thermal pools). It was a good idea… We had planned on only spending the morning there and coming home for lunch with our host families but alas, we had to call and say we weren’t coming home! Kwesi and I got home just before dark… It was wonderful.

It rained most of Saturday but the pool was warm. It was warm enough to sit outside for a bit but once we got in the pool, it was WAY too cold to sit on any lounge chairs.

The place was beautiful. The water comes from underground and is pumped directly into the pools.

On Sunday, we had a guided trip to Cajas a national park in the highlands of Ecuador. It is an hour drive west of Cuenca and at an altitude of between 3100m and 4450m. It is one of South America’s last landscapes with its original vegetation. It was declared a National Park on November 5, 1996.

At Cajas National Park you enter one of the last and most
CNP - StatisticsCNP - StatisticsCNP - Statistics

Here's another sign that shows the altitude and position of the park. Although we are right close to the equator, it's only about 5C outside.
biologically diverse beautiful ecosystems in the world and as part of our guided tour we were able to locate some endemic plant species.

The publication of this blog is been dedicated to the Women and Men who put in endless hours of work to keep Cajas National Park in the pristine state that we found it. Good Job.

There were two guides: one was going on a “long” hike and one on a “short” hike. Kwesi and I opted for the short one because I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the group while taking photos. It worked out beautifully as most of the group went for the “long” hike. Abbi, Myra, Kwesi and I went with our guide and I had enough time to take photos.

It rained and was VERY cold considering the fact that we were only 2 degree off the equator but so wonderful! We could not believe how many species of plants there were at 3,500 meters. It is truly incredible. Once again, our rubber boots came in handy. There was lots of mud. We wore rubber boots, rain pants, and several layers under a rain jacket, toque and
CNP - Kwesi all bundled up!CNP - Kwesi all bundled up!CNP - Kwesi all bundled up!

Yep, it was cold! Notice the rainboots. These cacti bloom after 5 years and then die. It must be a spectacular sceen.
gloves! Thank goodness we are Canadian, occasionally it comes in handy. So many plants…

On Saturday we are headed to the Amazon jungle. I think the gumboots will be useful again but it will probably be a lot warmer…



Additional photos below
Photos: 23, Displayed: 23


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CNP - TrailCNP - Trail
CNP - Trail

We walked around part of this lake. It's one of the larger lakes in the park. You can see beautiful paper bark trees growing.
CNP - Ground covering plantCNP - Ground covering plant
CNP - Ground covering plant

Cajas - National Park
CNP - Ground covering plantCNP - Ground covering plant
CNP - Ground covering plant

Cajas - National Park
CNP - Ground covering plantCNP - Ground covering plant
CNP - Ground covering plant

Cajas - National Park
CNP - Ground covering plantCNP - Ground covering plant
CNP - Ground covering plant

Cajas - National Park
CNP - Ground covering plantCNP - Ground covering plant
CNP - Ground covering plant

Cajas - National Park
CNP - Lichen and Ground coveringCNP - Lichen and Ground covering
CNP - Lichen and Ground covering

So many different species in small places.
CNP - Fairy Tale ForestCNP - Fairy Tale Forest
CNP - Fairy Tale Forest

This forest was made of paper bark trees. It's like a screen out of the Lord of the Rings.
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CNP - Plants

Flowering cactus.
CNP - PlantsCNP - Plants
CNP - Plants

This cactus is from the pineapple family.
CNP - PlantsCNP - Plants
CNP - Plants

This is an ancient fern. It was around during the dinosaurs just much bigger!
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CNP - Moss covering

Cajas - National Park
CNP - Moss coveringCNP - Moss covering
CNP - Moss covering

Cajas - National Park
CNP - Small LakesCNP - Small Lakes
CNP - Small Lakes

There is water everywhere in the park. Cuenca gets it's water from here.
CNP - Small LakesCNP - Small Lakes
CNP - Small Lakes

Beautiful! Lots of aquatic plants too.
CNP - Small LakesCNP - Small Lakes
CNP - Small Lakes

Lots of aquatic plants here... A bit crazy for such high elevation.
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CNP - Small Lakes

Wonderful lanscapes.
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CNP - Waterfall

There were all sorts of mini-waterfalls in the park. We crossed this one! (Gumboots - yeah!)
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CNP - Trail

A photo of the trail and a couple of our fellow hikers.


29th July 2010

Your trip.
Hi again. Wow, the Country you are in right now seems so beautiful. The gumboots came in handy once again. How much longer will your vacation continue? Our weather has been up and down, hot, cold, storms, etc. Only in Alta. it is going to be 29 to-morrow (Thurs) I just don't like the heat that much. Sound like you are all having a wonder- ful time. Take Care. God Bless and keep you safe. Anne Marie
29th July 2010

enjoying your blog
Hi Meghan and Kwesi: Your trip reports are very exciting and educational, sounds like Ecuador is another great place in the world to visit. Be safe, warm and share your love with the people in this part of the world....and keep your posts going, gets me excited about travelling again soon and I'm not talking the "tour bus" way. Bernie
30th July 2010

Cajas
Loved seeing the plant life in the National Park. Kwesi is dressed for the weather I see! Very cute so close to the equator. Thanks for sharing.

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