Mexican encore 2014 & 2024

Hike in Sierra Norte

senderos Mexico 2024

8 Zapotec villages, called the Pueblos Mancomunados, lie between 2000 and 3000 meters in the Sierra Norte de Oaxaca (mountains to the north of Oaxaca). These villages have their own laws and systems and until this year their own time zone.

Organized by Expediciones Sierra Norte in Oaxaca, we hiked in these villages before and thoroughly enjoyed it. 2011 here, 2014 here. With altitudes of about 3,000m and some significant climbs the hike is not easy even though distances are short.

Map of the Pueblos Mancomunados. Our walk is from Latuvi to Benito Juárez to Cuajimoloyas.

Monday 24 June 2024

Latuvi (2440m) to La Neveria (2720m)
12.1km Ascent: 740m Descent 460m Wikiloc

Leaving Latuvi on a wide path through forest
Strange soft fungus
The path is marked with these signs
Vista
Katie enjoying the walk
Not edible!

Today’s flowers

When the bromeliad flowers die they release thousands of seeds which the breeze carries into the trees
Bromeliads cover the trees
Fungus on the trees
La Neveria Cabins

Tuesday 25 June 2024

La Neveria (2720m) to Benito Juárez (2940m)
8.3km Ascent: 540m Descent 300m Wikiloc

Cooking breakfast at La Neveria
A beautiful path and a “Zone of Silence”
Pine needles hanging from the trees
Our guide Tokyo and Katie
Pam on a bridge
Creek crossing
Ferns growing on a tree

Today’s flowers

Trees covered in moss in the high wet forest
Beautiful butterfly
The path between wild agave
Another butterfly
Benito Juárez looks close
We arrive at our cabin at Benito Juárez
Lunch at Casa de Las Piedras, Benito Juárez
At 3,000 meters Benito Juárez is cold but not with a fire in our cabin
We brought a bottle of Mexican Wine for the cold

Wednesday 26 June 2024

Benito Juárez (2940m) to Cuajimoloyas (3160m)
8.2km Ascent: 550m Descent: 330m Wikiloc

Breakfast of tortillas, eggs and tomatoes
Climbing out of Benito Juárez
Benito Juárez from the lookout at 3160m
Katie and Chanti resting after the climb
Scary crossing the Puente Colgante (Hanging Bridge) at 3130m
Day 3 flowers
Bugs like these flowers
Guide Hayo passing a giant agave
Barba de Viejo (Old Man’s Beard) hanging from trees
Looking down into the Central Valley
More climbing
Farmers picking corn
Enjoying a beer after the hike
Lunch at Cuajimoloyas
Back in Oaxaca, our final Moles