Hiking to "Cañadón de los
Fósiles":
Duration: 5 hours and a half (including stops at places of interest, and lunch).
Difficuly: medium-high
The ascent to the lookout point above the Upsala glacier is done in 4WDs as far as the
Upsala Refuge, and from there on foot across an area of glacier-polished rocks. In a few
minutes, we are on the ridge looking down at the Upsala glacier, the southern ice fields,
and the surrounding mountains. Here we take time to admire Lake Guillermo and the imposing
east face of the glacier.
The Upsala glacier has two fronts of some 4 km each — the main one on Lake Argentino
and the other that is receding, leaving its melted water in Lake Guillermo. From this
privileged lookout point, we appreciate the splendor of one of the biggest glaciers in the
national park.
On a clear day we can see the entire glacier flanked by mounts Murallón and Don Bosco,
which mark the border between Argentina and Chile.
We return on foot along a trail that leads through Fossils Canyon, whose thousands of
petrified creatures were laid bare by a glacier that gouged its way through a fossil bed,
forming a valley that is unique in the park. When the 100-metre-high rock walls are left
behind, the trail continues down to the Fishing Lagoon and the ranch house.
Lunch: During the excursion, the guide will find a good place for having our midday meal,
which will consist of a delicatessen board, fried steaks, fresh fruit, Patagonian wines,
mineral water, cupcakes and coffee.
Recommendations: This hike is for people 12 to 65 years of age who are accustomed to
walking outdoors and/or carry out physical activity on a regular basis.
Horse riding
to Mirador Upsala:
Duration: 5 hours and a half (including stops at places of interest, and lunch).
Difficulty: medium
We set out from the saddle shed to discover a magical landscape and enjoy panoramic views
of the ranch and the imposing glacier.
The Upsala glacier is named after the Swedish city whose university sponsored the first
glaciological study in the region in 1908. It has two fronts of approximately 4 km each;
the main one gives out on Lake Argentino and the secondary one, which is in the process of
retreating, is forming Lake Guillermo as it melts.
From this privileged vantage point, we admire the splendor of one of the biggest glaciers
in the national park.
Lunch: The guide will find a good place for having our midday meal, which will consist of
a delicatessen board, fried steaks, fresh fruit, Patagonian wines, mineral water, cupcakes
and coffee.
Recommendation: This excursion is for people who know how to ride horses. Children under
six can do it only in the company of an adult.
4x4
Excursion:
Duration: 2 hours and a half.
Difficulty: low-medium
The first stage of the excursion is a 9.5-km drive in 4WDs on a mountain road through
different terrains and landscapes. Setting out from the ranch’s beach, we ford the
Caterina River and cross an area of steppe to begin the first ascent toward the meadow of
the Burned Forest, the Parrots’ Grove, and, higher up, an area that was once covered
by a glacier.
Upon arrival at the Continental Ice Fields Refuge, we begin a walk on glacier-polished
rock to the vantage point from which we will see Lake Guillermo and the east front of the
Upsala glacier.
This glacier owes its name to the Swedish city whose university sponsored the first
glaciological study in the region in 1980. It has two fronts: the main one on Lake
Argentino, and the secondary one, whose retreat and melting has created Lake Guillermo.
From this privileged vantage point, we admire the splendor of one of the biggest glaciers
in the national park. With a surface area of 902 km2, it is 60 km long, and its front
rears 60 meters above lake level. On a clear day we can see from here the entire glacier
flanked by mounts Murallón and Don Bosco, which form the border between Argentina and
Chile.
Lunch: The ranch’s old drying shed has been restored and turned into a comfortable
space with refined details designed to give us a new perspective on life. There, protected
from the winds that whistle across this austral land, we are served lunch in fine style.
Recommendations: The hike is done on rough, rocky terrain that is rather steep. It takes
about 15 minutes to walk the trail over polished rock that is slippery in places. Hikers
must use appropriate footwear (trekking shoes or rubber-soled sports shoes). |
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