Monday, July 28, 2014

Guide to: Puntudo, Santa Cruz, Galapagos

Puntudo is one of the tallest peaks on Santa Cruz, along with Cerro Crocker. The word in spanish means "Pointy", and it refers to the splatter cone of a volcano.
"El Puntudo" as seen from almost the end of the hike

This hike was recommended by the guy at our hotel when he explained that Gemelos would take 15 minutes and we were better off going on the way to the airport. Both he and the taxi driver said 2 hours, but the sign/letrero says 3. We recommend 2.5.

The sign/letrero at the beginning of the hike

We went to Puntudo, until Steph luckily saw a poorly placed "Stop" sign. I had already continued past it 5 minutes.
Sign about the size of a license plate.

Not sure how long Cerro Crocker would take. There is a split about halfway to Puntudo.

My sister (Vana White) indicating the path to Puntudo at the split

You don't climb up to Puntudo (maybe you can but you would probably need a knowledgable guide), you just get up next to it where you can see it well despite the mist. It was cloudy and misty on our climb up, which made it bearable. That also meant it was wet and muddy. Shoes will get soaked through with water and mud, and path will be slippery (Steph fell once and we both almost fell countless times). Also had mud on our legs up to our shorts. This could be an alternative pre/post activity for Garrapatero Beach, if Cerro Mesa is "nublado" or you want something more active, because its in the same direction on the road.


Taxi was $20 round trip, even though the taxi driver wanted $25 and the hotel man said it should be $12.

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