Path from Lahuen Co to Huechulafquen Lake

Gustavo Santos, Sendas y Bosques

Path from Lahuen Co to Huechulafquen Lake

    Lasts: Two days
    Difficulty: Average
    Season: November to March
    Forest Ranger: In Lahuen-co and in Puerto Canoa.
    Signaling and maintenance: There are some inner signals and the path is well kept.
    Equipment : traditional hiking
    Start: The path starts one hour away from Lahuen-Co Hotsprings ( 64 km away from Junín de los Andes ) going along Nº 62 route leading to Carirriñe International Pass.

    FIRST STAGE
    From the starting point to the locomobile : 2 hours.
    The wood is thick from the departing point. There is only an opening further ahead where you can observe some Pehuenes spread. The relief is plain for a while and then, there are some up slopes and the wood becomes thick again. It is a peculiar wood with features of the Valdivian forest.

Forty five minutes ahead, we will cross a quite mighty stream. There is almost always a fallen trunk that helps us cross the stream. From there onwards, the relief goes on very uneven until we get to a plain where there is a dense formation of colihue cane . The majority of these plants are dry as a consequence of its blooming that took place in 2000.

    This ecologic event takes place in a massive way every 60 years. The canes close up above the path giving us the feeling of being through a tunnel. Immediatly after crossing a palisade, we enter into a mistaking area where there are many paths crossing each other.
    We are at the end of Paimún lake.
    In some places, there are trunks acting as sleepers - they belonged to old timber paths which are currently covered by vegetation and mud. A long time ago , there used to be a sawmill in this place. There is still an old rusty locomobile surrounded by mint. To the northeast, there is an ineludible presence - Lanín Volcano.

    SECOND STAGE:
    From the locomobile to Don Aila's . Estimated time : 2 hours.
    It is forbidden to go camping or light a fire at the end of Paimún lake. In oder to return to the main path , we start from the locomobile. There is an indicating signal.
    The way to Don Aila's house is clearly marked, quite plain and with no difficulties. We cross a palisade and enter the land of this old inhabitant. His house is further ahead.
    The area is quite open - green hills vanishing into the lake cut by some trees. The breeding of cattle made a prairie out of this landscape.
    This is the ideal place to camp. We suggest that you ask Don Aila for permission beforehand since he is always around looking after his livestock.
    On the opposite side, you will see Lanín Volcano again. At night, if there is a shining moon, the landscape is un unforgettable view.

    THIRD STAGE :
    From Don Aila's house to La Unión raft. Estimated time: 3-4 hours.
    Due to the presence of cattle, there are different tracks that may mislead you.

The clear track starts up further the house. We cross a last palisade and enter the thick area of canes again. The shadows of Huemules Hill make this place a humid and muddy area. We go around the hill which hiddes the lake for two hours. The hiking is constantly up the hill and exhausting.

We finally arrive at a climax which is 1200 meters above sea level and get to an abrupt down slope ending in a plain where there are other inhabitants. A few meters ahead , we will find the raft on the narrowing between Paimún and Huechulafquen lakes. Those who get to this place too tired to go on , can camp in a wild camping site located before the narrowing.