A relatively easy loop with spectacular views after visiting the waterfall is the upper portion of the Salto Grande Trail. It goes through an area which was devastated by a wildfire in late December 2011 through January 2012, started by a backpacker burning toilet paper when the winds blew the small fire out of control in a forbidden area. This burned about 176 km2 (68 sq mi) of the reserve, destroying about 36 km² of native forest and affecting most of the areas around Lake Pehoé and the western areas around Lake Sarmiento, but moving away from the Cordillera del Paine, the park's centerpiece. The strange shapes of the burned trees now bleached almost white by the sun are a stark contrast to the beautiful blues of the lakes. We were fortunate to see a small heard of Guanacos with a mother nursing her baby. I hope you enjoy these
images. Please try the downloads to fully appreciate the vividness of the colors.
Mark