Wednesday, February 5, 2014

HIKING "THE EASY" TRAIL IN THE JUNGLE ABOVE LOA AYALA, MEXICO


                                    Hiking “The Easy” trail above Los Ayala

Article and photographs by

One of the many hiking groups that enjoy the jungle trails.
John and Doreen Berg

 

The dawn of a bright sunny Sunday morning motivated Doreen and I to leave our bungalow and hot coffees early to hike the “The Easy” trail located above Los Ayala.  This was our second exploratory hike of the season to determine which of the jungle trails were clear and suitable for forthcoming group hikes.  With perspiration dripping from our brows, we crested the first hill to pause at the junction, where three trails begin, for a water break before proceeding onto “The Easy” pathway.  The trail gained its name by default as in previous seasons, members of our hiking group thought it was an easier hike as compared to other route choices.  As a result the trail’s name was born.

We moved through the first sector, an older orchard area again being cultivated.  The gently flowing path continues into the solitude of the jungle portion.  Here we were greeted by the early morning song birds welcoming the glorious morning’s rays.  The varied palm trees, the peeling tourist trees and the giant tropical trees
TOURIST TREE.  TURNS RED AND PEELS
 JUST LIKE A TOURIST!
give this trail’s section a Jurassic Park ambiance.  The well-defined track begins its descent to the lower reaches of the bright sunlit grass meadows and marsh area.  Here we observe the colourful flowers opening their bright petals to welcome the morning warmth and entice the butterfly profusion to alight for a draft of nectar.

“The Easy” trail received our stamp of approval and we declared it fit and ready for future group hikes. With sweat drenched bodies from the hour and a half exertion and moisture soaked pants from the heavily dew laden tall grasses our footsteps quickened as we followed the familiar El Monteon pathway toward Kissing Beach. 
TRAIL END. 
 DIFFICULT TO SEE BUT THE TWO S's FACE EACH OTHER!
We soon arrived at our bungalow with a sense of accomplishment and a desire for a cleansing, cooling shower and a hearty, healthy breakfast.

Small groups of five to twelve hikers leave the roadside entrance to El Delphin at 7:30 a.m. every Tuesday and Friday.  The hikers enjoy the many trail permutations created by Bill Smyth carving out a series of interconnecting trails.  The approximate two hour hikes start and finish in Los Ayala, giving people the opportunity to enjoy the remainder of the day or locate a Los Ayala restaurant to enjoy a breakfast.  Periodically, during the season, we hike to El Monteon, enjoying the hike and a trail-end breakfast plus hikes to Punta Raza.


 Leave the morning comforts of your bungalow and the sparkling waters behind to come enjoy nature’s beauty while trimming the waistline.  See you on our next hike.


ONE OF THE LARGER TROPICAL TREES.

 

 
NATURE AT IT'S BEST!
 


 


 

 

BIRD SANCTUARY

OBJECTS TO CLIMB OVER.


As a rule we do not usually publish our newspaper articles as part of our travel blog.  But just for fun we thought we would add this piece.