El Yunque
This is the day I have been waiting for since we booked this trip back in November.
We headed over to The Caribbean National Forest this morning, and at 10:25 hit the trail head to El Yunque Peak.
It was a 2.6 mile hike to the top, right through the only rain forest on U. S. soil. It was steep and slippery at points, put when we got to the top it was worth every step (all 6212 if you are keeping track). We stepped foot on the summit at 12:20 PM, which is just under the 2 hour time that is the usual average.
The clouds seemed to be descending all around us, but they just never made it to us. We were really hoping to be able to stand inside of a cloud, but it wasn't meant to be. Not to mention the
whole list of bad cloud puns that I had ready to use (Our heads were in the clouds, We were on cloud 9, and so on). Maybe the world is better off. I guess that just means that we have to come back some day and try again.
It was a 2.6 mile hike to the top, right through the only rain forest on U. S. soil. It was steep and slippery at points, put when we got to the top it was worth every step (all 6212 if you are keeping track). We stepped foot on the summit at 12:20 PM, which is just under the 2 hour time that is the usual average.
The clouds seemed to be descending all around us, but they just never made it to us. We were really hoping to be able to stand inside of a cloud, but it wasn't meant to be. Not to mention the
whole list of bad cloud puns that I had ready to use (Our heads were in the clouds, We were on cloud 9, and so on). Maybe the world is better off. I guess that just means that we have to come back some day and try again.The hike down was uneventful and after spending 45 minutes on the summit, we were back at the trail head before 3:00 PM. There was another trail that led toward La Mina Falls that was less then a mile long, so we decided that we would give it a go. It was very steep and there were dozens of stone steps along the way, but the view of the falls was worth it. The hike back up was not so much fun, as my knees were screaming with every step. As I sat in the hot tub back at the hotel tonight, and thought back on everything we did today, it was all worth it.
My overall feelings from today are impressed, exhausted and awed. I am impressed with my wife's never ending adventurous spirit and her drive to break the land speed record of getting down the mountain. I am impressed with my father-in-law that he even made it to the top of the mountain, not to mention down to the waterfall and back.
All in all, we hiked almost seven miles today. All of it was over uneven ground and half of it was uphill. Let's just say that I shouldn't have any problems sleeping tonight.
I am in awe of the overwhelming beauty and majesty of everything that we were a part of today. This definitely ranks in the top 5 day hikes that I have ever done. Here are a few more photos from today's adventure.
My overall feelings from today are impressed, exhausted and awed. I am impressed with my wife's never ending adventurous spirit and her drive to break the land speed record of getting down the mountain. I am impressed with my father-in-law that he even made it to the top of the mountain, not to mention down to the waterfall and back.
All in all, we hiked almost seven miles today. All of it was over uneven ground and half of it was uphill. Let's just say that I shouldn't have any problems sleeping tonight.
I am in awe of the overwhelming beauty and majesty of everything that we were a part of today. This definitely ranks in the top 5 day hikes that I have ever done. Here are a few more photos from today's adventure.
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