El Chalten
Chorrillo del Salto
Time: 2 hours round-trip (include plenty of rests and stops along the way)
Length: 1.8 miles one-way / 3.6 miles round-trip
Difficulty: Easy the entire walk. You can also reach the waterfall via car
[0.0 mi] Start at the trail head at the end of San Martin Road. A sign that points to the right to Chorrillo Del Salto. You will be walking on gravel road shared with cars. It is very dusty when cars driving by. However, the scenery is gorgeous.
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| The junction pointing right going to Chorrillo Del Salto |
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| Turn your back and you can see the town and mountains behind you |
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| Gorgeous scenery along the trail |
[0.9 mi] Reaching a sign on the left hand side going to Chorrillo del Salto. This takes you away from the gravel road, but still walking in parallel to the road.
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| Turn left to Chorrillo del Salto |
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| Beautiful scenery along the trail |
[1.5 mi] Reach the sign that welcomes you to Chorrillo del Salto. You will see people park their car here too.
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| Welcome to Chorrillo del Salto |
[1.8 mi] Finally get to the waterfall.
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| Chorrillo del Salto |
Same way going back to the trail head.
Laguna de Los Tres Hike (Fitz Roy)
Time: 9.5 hours round-trip (include plenty of stops and rests along the way). 5 hours going up. 30 minutes at the Laguna. 4 hours going down
Length: 8 miles one-way / 16 miles round-trip
Difficulty: Easy during the first 6.5 miles, but the last 1.5 miles are very steep and rocky. Not safe to venture if experiencing strong wind
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| Trail to Laguna de los Tres |
[0.0 mi] Start at the trail head at the end of San Martin Road. You will see a big gate with "Sendero al Fitz Roy" on the top.
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| The gate to Laguna de los Tres (Fitz Roy) |
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| As you hike up, you can see the town |
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| Beautiful scenery along the way |
[0.5 mi] Reach the first outlook - Mirador Rio De Las Vueltas
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| Mirador Rio de Las Vueltas |
[3.5 mi] Reach the junction of Laguna Capri to the left and Mirador Fitz Roy to the right. I recommend taking the right to Mirador Fitz Roy on the way to Laguna de los Tres and go to Laguna Capri on the way back. No distance gain whichever way you take first.
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| Junction of Laguna Capri and Mirador Fitz Roy |
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| Nice and flat trail on the way into woods |
[3.8 mi] Reach Mirador Fitz Roy. The famous Fitz Roy first appearing in a distance on this hike
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| Mirador Fitz Roy |
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| Gorgeous mountains right in front of your face in a distance |
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| Zoom in your camera and you can see glacier in tints of blue |
[4.8 mi] Reach a sign where the trails of Mirador Fitz Roy and Laguna Capri are joining back to one trail
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| Sign |
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| More views of Fitz Roy |
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| Just can't get tired of Fitz Roy |
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| Perfect habitat for wildlife |
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| Fitz Roy in the background |
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| Gorgeous scenery |
[5.5 mi] Reach junction of Laguna de los Tres and Laguna Torre. Make the slight right turn continue on to Laguna de los Tres. If you wish to go to Laguna Torre, it would be another 4 hours of hike from here
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| Make a right continue on to Laguna de los Tres |
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| Trail nicely maintained through a wetland |
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| Passing by an open area with trees blown to the side |
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| Crossing a bridge |
[6.5 mi] Reach a stop at Rio Blanco. Restroom is available at this stop. Take a good rest because the hard work begins from now. You will see a sign pointing uphill to Laguna de los Tres. This last section of the hike is not recommended if experiencing strong wind
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| Rio Blanco |
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| Steep and rocky path. Follow the wooden stick with yellow arrow |
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| Remember to turn around and see the beautiful valley right behind you |
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| Getting closer, but just need to get over that hill at the top. Fitz Roy is just right there |
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| Finally a flat plateau to take a break from going uphill |
[8.0 mi] Finally, at last, welcome to Laguna de los Tres. Enjoy how the mother nature has presented herself to you in the form of Fitz Roy and the Laguna
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| Fitz Roy & Laguna de los Tres |
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| Closer view of Laguna de los Tres and Fitz Roy |
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| Isn't it just amazing?!? |
After a good rest at the Laguna, you may return to the trail head the exact same way you came up
[11.0 mi] You will reach a sign about the junction between Mirador Fitz Roy or Laguna Capri. On the way up, you've already taken the path to Mirador Fitz Roy. You may choose to go to Laguna Capri now on the way back. So make a right to the Laguna.
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| Laguna Capri |
After you enjoy the view of Laguna Capri, continue the path and back to the trail head. And congratulations, you not only visited one of the most beautiful scenery in Southern Argentina, but also completed a 16-mile hike!
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