El Cañi

El Cañi is a 1500 acre forest preserve. It is home to the worlds oldest tree species - the giant conifer - Araucaria. 

John and Michelle took the day off to relax while Axel, Chris, Henry and I decided to torture our sore muscles one last time on yet another seven hour hike. And as it always seems to turn out - so worth it. 

Just knew it was going to be a good day. 

  

We hardly saw anyone on the trail as we hiked first through the primary forest filled with the coihue and lenga trees. 

 Then we came upon the araucaria. 

While hiking along the trail we stirred up a few of these guys interrupting their afternoon sunbathing.

 Almost there!

 Once at the top we had a 360 degree view of the surrounding landscape. It was absolutely beautiful. 

In the distance you can see Volcan Villarrica that we had conquered two days before. (We are quite proud of that in case you can't tell.)  

 On our decent we stopped at a small lagoon where Chris tossed in  his line and Axel caught a few zzzz's.

We owe our thanks for an awesome day to Ecole, the group behind preserving this beautiful place.