26/03/2017 Laguna Esmeralda
Ushuaia, ARGENTINA
Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos), Sue Davies (Report)
Laguna Esmeralda is an excellent half day walk easily accessible by car about half an hour east of Ushuaia. Bus transport and tours are available from Ushuaia. We were rewarded with stunning views, crystal clear skies and impressive mountain peaks. Definitely not one to miss!
Sunday 26/3/2017 Laguna Esmeralda
Max elevation: 447 m
Total climbing: 443 m
Total descent: -418 m
Average speed: 5.06 km/h
Total time: 04:19:39
We tried for an early start as an online review had suggested. We felt very lucky as we headed off at about 8.00am on another stunningly clear morning. We were stopped at the gates to the city as we were leaving by the police, which seems to be standard practice here and we soon realised he just wanted to know where we were going. After our destination was confirmed we were on our way.
It was a short 17km drive to the car park for the walk. There was no sign that we could see from the road, but a huge car park. We asked some other trekkers who confirmed we were in the right location. Only then did we notice a small sign at the start of the walk. We headed off through the forest. It was freezing! Much of the foliage and grass still had frost on it which made for some great photos. The sky was so clear and the air was so fresh it was breathtaking. We walked past a multi level stick and mud beaver dam which was really impressive given the size of the stream.
Then came the mud. There was a large area of sphagnum moss which was really boggy, we had found the peat bog. It made us glad we hadn’t cleaned our walking boots after the last muddy walk. After the mud we walked beside a beautiful glacial stream before the final gentle climb to Laguna Esmeralda. What a stunning view we had. The reflections in the lake produced a perfect mirror image! We walked along the lake to the far end, enjoying our second forest of the walk and fantastic viewpoints. It was still very cold in the shade and the frost had not yet melted.
Outfall of Laguna Esmeralda
After heading back to the lookout at the outfall end of the lake the view was totally different. The sun was higher and had washed out the scene and a slight breeze had picked up, wrecking the reflections. We were very lucky to see it at its optimal.
Our return journey had us walking against the flow, with lots of people still heading up as we returned to the car. This is an excellent half day walk, an early start is definitely recommended.
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