Tuesday 15 September 2015

El Yunque National Park Puerto Rico - 15th September 2015

El Yunque National Forest, previously known as the 'Luquillo National Forest' is located in northeastern Puerto Rico. It is the only tropical rain forest in the United States Commonwealth. The forest is commonly known as El Yunque. The second-tallest mountain within El Yunque is also named El Yunque. El Yunque National Rainforest is located on the slopes of the Sierra de Luquillo mountains, covering 28,000 acres (43.7 square miles or 113.3 square kilometres) of land, making it the largest block of public land in Puerto Rico. El Toro, the highest mountain peak in the forest rises 1,065 metres (3,494 ft) above sea level. Ample rainfall (over 200 inches a year in some areas) creates a jungle-like setting with lush foliage, crags, waterfalls, and rivers. The forest has a number of trails from which the jungle-like territory's flora and fauna can be appreciated. 


At an elevation of 1,476 feet (450 meters) above sea level, La Coca Falls is the first spectacular feature seen when traveling up to the Forest. The waters of La Coca Falls drop 85 feet (26 meters) onto a huge rock formation at the bottom of the falls. This is an excellent spot to take photos.


Native Tree Snail
Puerto Rican Green Anole
Spotted Lizard Anole

Yokahu Tower is one of the top two or three spots in all of El Yunque National Forest. Yokahu Tower is an observation tower that you can climb to the top for outstanding views.



Tree Fern






La Mina Trail in El Yunque is one of the most popular hikes in the rain forest along with Big Tree Trail. The reason; they both take you to the beautiful 35 foot waterfall at La Mina Falls where the water flows over huge rocks into a pool, where you can enjoy a cool (make that COLD) refreshing swim. The trail follows the course of the La Mina River downward through lush tropical trees, shrubs and flowers to the La Mina waterfall (Cascada La Mina). Along the way, it crosses and re-crosses the rushing river on many small bridges, passing tiny cascades and still pools filled with chilled mountain water, on its way to the falls.




Spotted Lizard Anole
Spotted Lizard Anole

Common Anole

2 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing this.

    ReplyDelete
  2. muy bonitas las fotos; no se sabe con quiénes estaban en Santa Fé de Antioquia. Sensacionales las del amazonas y las de Puerto Rico.

    ReplyDelete

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