We could see the Santa Cruz River as we approached Calafete and were rewarded with this beautiful sight of Lago Argentino next to the runway! It is a freshwater lake that is directly at the base of Perito Moreno Glacier, the largest glacier in South America and is the largest lake in Argentina.
Just outside the airport were HUGE lavendar plants.
We were a little nervous when we arrived because our bags were the VERY LAST two to coming out of the plane! Once they arrived we were transferred a shuttle van and made a three hour drive to El Chalten.
Halfway along Route 40 we stopped at Parador La Leona next to La Leona River for a quick sandwich. The road house boasts it is where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid hid for almost a month after robbing a bank. We didn't see them, but there was a mini-museum with dinosaur fossils and other artifacts from the area. You can see the red arrows on the map pointing to where we were.
Back on the road were finally approached El Chalten, and passed into Los Glaciares National Park.
The clouds were hanging in the mountains as we made our final drive into town.
Once we checked into our hotel, we donned our hiking boots and headed to Chorrillo del Salto, a waterfall about 2 miles from the hotel.
Once we checked into our hotel, we donned our hiking boots and headed to Chorrillo del Salto, a waterfall about 2 miles from the hotel.
And just a public service announcement as we started our way up the trail ... 
The weather bounced between cloudy to sunny to sprinkles, but the wind NEVER stopped! Fortunately, it was fairly warm so we didn't need our windbreakers until the rain started.
The trail weaved it way in and out of the forest and onto the road in different spots as it climbed to the waterfall.
The weather bounced between cloudy to sunny to sprinkles, but the wind NEVER stopped! Fortunately, it was fairly warm so we didn't need our windbreakers until the rain started.
The trail weaved it way in and out of the forest and onto the road in different spots as it climbed to the waterfall.
At last, we were rewarded with the beautiful view of Chorrillo del Santo (waterfalls). There were lots of people who drive most of the way up and hike less than 1/4 mile to see them.
Tobey liked the way these bushes seemed to grow in nice mounds and didn't look like they needed pruning!
We saw a few shore birds on our way back to town.
Even better, a parrot swooped past us and landed in a small tree right next to us. We watched as it moved along the branches eating seeds or berries. Then we noticed a second one in the tree next to it!
By the time we got back to town, we were ready for dinner, having hiked over 4-1/2 miles. We headed to a restaurant recommended by the hotel, but found they were full so we made a reservation for tomorrow. We didn't go hungry - we stopped at Hostel Rancho Grande and had a HUGE dinner which we split and were both stuffed!
I am enjoying the wildlife and spotted this bird on our walk back. Tomorrow we are planning a hike to Laguna Torre at the base of Glaciar Grande so we are off to bed.
Tobey liked the way these bushes seemed to grow in nice mounds and didn't look like they needed pruning!
We saw a few shore birds on our way back to town.
Even better, a parrot swooped past us and landed in a small tree right next to us. We watched as it moved along the branches eating seeds or berries. Then we noticed a second one in the tree next to it!
By the time we got back to town, we were ready for dinner, having hiked over 4-1/2 miles. We headed to a restaurant recommended by the hotel, but found they were full so we made a reservation for tomorrow. We didn't go hungry - we stopped at Hostel Rancho Grande and had a HUGE dinner which we split and were both stuffed!
I am enjoying the wildlife and spotted this bird on our walk back. Tomorrow we are planning a hike to Laguna Torre at the base of Glaciar Grande so we are off to bed.
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