Trekking in the Andes Vallecitos

We set the compass to the West and take route Nº 7, towards the mountains. The first Andean
mountain range we will come across is called the Pre Mountain Range, and the snowy peaks to the
west are part of the Cordillera Frontal, a different range. We shall drive through the Potrerillos
valley which lies between these two ranges, and drive pass by Potrerillos Lake to then take the SW
bearing into the Cordillera Frontal. We get off the asphalt into a dirt road, going towards the
Vallecitos ski resort, where we will be dropped off.

Leaving the ski resort behind us we start trekking into a gorge and we’ll be able to see on our left
mount Franke (16.400 ft. – 5.000 m) and on the right the San Bernardo (14.400 ft. – 4.400 m). The
path goes up along a water stream and at the first flat land, we come to a very fertile tract where the
water table approaches the surface and a few water springs can be seen. Ahead of us, the majestic
mount Vallecitos (19.000 ft. – 5.800 m) is the perfect spot to have lunch. Eventually, packs of
guanacos and some condors can be added to the scenery.

After lunch, depending on one’s will, we can trek up for another hour and surprise ourselves with a wide
valley where accumulated earth and stones were deposited by a glacier. During the winter, the area can
be covered in snow, and we might need to track with snow shoes, which is as funny as it is easy.
Personal equipment required: comfortable pants, comfortable trekking or sport shoes with a good
sole, warm socks, t-shirt, turtle neck shirt, wool sweater or warm fleece top, jacket, gloves, warm
stocking cap, cap or hat, sun glasses and UV sun-block cream