sv evi

When we first arrived in Cuenca we passed through the Cajas National Park. Stunning vistas of high alpine lakes, misty peaks, stark vegetation, with the road crossing the pass at 13,550 feet.

Since then, we have wanted to get back there to hike, but we now have established routines with the kids’ activities that keep us in town on the weekends for swim lessons Saturday mornings and soccer games Sundays.

Except this Sunday there was no soccer game, because it was on Friday this week. So I woke up at 6 am and began readying our pack, packing rain gear and warm clothes for all 5 of us, and snacks and water. I was excited to explore the wilderness!

We took a bus to the ranger station at Laguna Toreadora, which cost $2 and took about 45 minutes. Then we hiked around the lake. It was so incredibly beautiful, and so good for the soul to be there. Tomu and Jade did great—Tomu walked the whole way, and I had to carry Jade a few times, but for brief intervals. Riki carried Luz the whole time. It took us about 2 hours and 20 minutes to hike around the lake, then we had lunch at the restaurant, hitched a ride back to town, then took the city bus home.