Activity

El Cerro Del Aripo

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Photo ofEl Cerro Del Aripo Photo ofEl Cerro Del Aripo Photo ofEl Cerro Del Aripo

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Trail stats

Distance
9.4 mi
Elevation gain
2,195 ft
Technical difficulty
Difficult
Elevation loss
2,195 ft
Max elevation
2,907 ft
TrailRank 
38
Min elevation
1,220 ft
Trail type
Loop
Time
9 hours 12 minutes
Coordinates
1077
Uploaded
December 29, 2016
Recorded
December 2016
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near Verdant Vale, Tunapuna/Piarco (Republic of Trinidad and Tobago)

Viewed 1731 times, downloaded 46 times

Trail photos

Photo ofEl Cerro Del Aripo Photo ofEl Cerro Del Aripo Photo ofEl Cerro Del Aripo

Itinerary description

The Track had to be edited before uploading as there was an issue on the trail that resulted in us losing alot of time looking for the trail (its our first time doing it). Apparently the Fusion team put up a caution sign across the Trail heading to the peak and we didnt realize that. Time shows it as 9 hours but thats wrong as we lost time looking for the trail and stopping for lunch and pictures and playing with the dog, and she made it to the top also!!!!!!! This should take you 2.5 to 3 hours to the summit depending on fitness level. My advice is to go with a 4x4 vehicle and drive as far up La Laja Road as possible,

Spcial thanks to Gilbertson for providing the first gps track we used.

From Wikipedia

El Cerro del Aripo, at 940 metres (3,084 ft), is the highest point in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. It is part of the Aripo Massif and is located in the Northern Range on the island of Trinidad, northeast of the town of Arima.

El Cerro del Aripo lies on the border of the St.George and St.Andrew Counties in the biodiverse Northern Range. Elfin woodland and cloud forest is found on the peak's summit, due to high levels of rainfall and winds. Elfin woodland is also found on the summit of the nation's second highest peak, El Tucuche.

El Cerro del Aripo is home to the golden treefrog, only found in the highest peaks in Trinidad and the Paria Peninsula, Venezuela . The constant cloud cover, prevailing winds and Cloud Forest or Elfin Woodland provides a safe habitat for the elusive frog. It inhabits the moist bromeliads found on the summit. Other animals including the elusive ocelot, red brocket deer and howler monkey.

The mountain lies in the Aripo and Guanapo river valleys. It forms the headwaters of the Caroni River's largest tributary. There are biodiverse caves such as the Lopinot Cave and Aripo Cave. The Aripo Cave is home to a large oilbird colony, and features stunning stalactite and stalagmite formations.There are many rivers and gorges such as the Guanapo river gorge and Aripo river. These all contribute to the Caroni River.

El Cerro del Aripo is accessible for hikers, and is located near the world-famous Asa Wright Nature Centre. The centre is a bird-watching hotspot and is one of the most biodiverse areas in the West Indies and over 400 species of birds can be viewed from there.

Waypoints

PictographBridge Altitude 1,600 ft

Bridge

Bridge

PictographInformation point Altitude 1,505 ft
Photo ofSign

Sign

Sign

PictographSummit Altitude 2,834 ft
Photo ofTop

Top

Top

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