quote:
You can get a good topo map from Tommy Guardia in Panama, or you can get a Tommy Guardia map on line 1. Re: Hiking in Boquete
Dec 01, 2011, 9:32 PM
There are a number of trails around Boquete. The two I am familiar with are the trail up Volcan Baru (Panama's highest peak, which tops out over 11,000 feet) and the Quetzal Trail (Sendero los Quetzales) which goes between Cerro Punta and Boquete.
The trail up Volcan Baru is like hiking up a dry creek bed in many places. It's steep and eroded. The climb to the top takes about 8 to 10 hours. There is only one creek for water (provided you brought your pump filter) about 1/4 of way up, so bring lots of water. Many people hike up and spend the night. Very cold on top at night -- often below 32. In the morning, before the clouds take over, you can see both the Pacific and the Caribbean -- great vistas! On this trail, I saw the one and only jaguar I've seen in the wild in Panama.
You can get to the trailhead by taxi. There, at the national park hut, you'll have to pay the $5 entrance fee. But, coming back, it might be tough getting a cab, unless the ranger at the hut can call one for you.
It's the same story for the Quetzal Trail. You can get a cab to take you near the trailhead. But, you'll still have a good mile and a half to go before you actually get to the trail. Coming back will be even tougher to get a cab.
The Quetzal Trail runs uphill nearly all the way to Cerro Punta (on the west side of Volcan Baru). If you take this trail, you will need to hire a guide in Boquete -- even for just a day hike. Detours are constantly changing, and you can get seriously lost without a guide.
In heavy jungle, maps are nearly worthless, if you can find one. Volcan Baru is different. You can actually spot landmarks and most of the trail stays more or less where it has been.
You can get a good topo map from Tommy Guardia in Panama, or you can get a Tommy Guardia map on line.
http://www.tripadvisor.co(...)iriqui_Province.html
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