Parcacocha
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 10.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 1,778 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Difficult
- Elevation loss
- 1,778 ft
- Max elevation
- 13,471 ft
- TrailRank
- 48
- Min elevation
- 12,221 ft
- Trail type
- Loop
- Time
- 6 hours 25 minutes
- Coordinates
- 1552
- Uploaded
- February 11, 2017
- Recorded
- February 2017
near Papallacta, Napo (Ecuador)
Viewed 3631 times, downloaded 57 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
The first half of the hike was amazing, a good path (muddy in spots) beautiful views of rolling hills with snow capped Antisana appearing in the background. It was a wonderful hike and we made it to scenic Laguna Parcacocha in 2 hours. The weather was perfect, we had plenty of time, so we decided to follow a path around the lake.
Once we crossed the Dam the path disappeared and the next 3 hours were spent bushwhacking through high grass or sinking into the mud at the side of the lake.
Beautiful scenery, especially on a clear day. Lots of small lakes along the way with a couple of waterfalls too. We would suggest turning back at the Dam and retracing your steps, especially if conditions are rainy or wet.
To get to the start point, take the road north from highway 28c through the town of Papallacta. There is a gate at the spa that you may have to push open, continue on the road for 4.9 kilometres to a parking lot and building. Could be driven carefully in a car, SUV recommended if conditions are wet.
Beautiful area, lots to see, give yourself plenty of time and bring a change of clothes if you plan to lap the lake.
Note: The peak elevation is over 4100 meters. Maxini was fine, at times I had a headache and shortness of breath.
Once we crossed the Dam the path disappeared and the next 3 hours were spent bushwhacking through high grass or sinking into the mud at the side of the lake.
Beautiful scenery, especially on a clear day. Lots of small lakes along the way with a couple of waterfalls too. We would suggest turning back at the Dam and retracing your steps, especially if conditions are rainy or wet.
To get to the start point, take the road north from highway 28c through the town of Papallacta. There is a gate at the spa that you may have to push open, continue on the road for 4.9 kilometres to a parking lot and building. Could be driven carefully in a car, SUV recommended if conditions are wet.
Beautiful area, lots to see, give yourself plenty of time and bring a change of clothes if you plan to lap the lake.
Note: The peak elevation is over 4100 meters. Maxini was fine, at times I had a headache and shortness of breath.
Waypoints
Photo
13,176 ft
Vista 4000
Just a spot on the trail with nice views and where I noticed we were over 4000 meters (first time for me).
Lake
Bridge
13,264 ft
Dam
We crossed at the lower section and climbed up the far bank following a trail that quickly disappeared.
Waypoint
13,455 ft
Lost frustrated
Needed to drop a pin on our map to make sure we were making progress. Some discussion here of whether to turn back. Snapped hiking pole, twisted ankle and some altitude sickness didn't help.
Intersection
13,278 ft
Intersection??
Finally completed our lap around the lake. Now we had to make good time to get back to the car.
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