Forums > Areas > Jalisco's Lake Chapala Region

skwala

Jul 18, 2003, 11:04 AM

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taking a hike

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Idle thoughts and a question of passing interest (to me, at least). Are there any footpaths in the mountains behind the lake that one might take to for a recreational hike, and if so, what kinds and in what relative densities might one encounter unfriendly snakes?

PeggyS

Jul 19, 2003, 12:36 AM

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Re: [skwala] taking a hike

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Many people hike up the trail to the chapel that you can see when you look up at the mountainside behind the village. Some go daily, others several times a week or weekly. I am not one of them, so we'll wait for someone else to give directions on where to park and start your walk. As far as the snakes go, I have never heard anyone mention anything about seeing them. One fellow did post that he saw a cockroach as big as a VW Beetle on the road, so take everything with a grain of salt. And there are scorpions all through there, so don't do it barefoot.

johanson

Jul 19, 2003, 7:18 PM

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Re: [skwala] taking a hike

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The trail mentioned by Peggy can be accessed by going to the top of Juarez or Colon and walking toward the other. The Entry is closer to Colon. Wear good shoes and because of the gravelly surface expect to slip a little. But if you are careful you wont have any problem

cristalhombre

Jul 21, 2003, 12:39 AM

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Re: [johanson] taking a hike

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A friend and I hiked to the chapel a couple of times just last week during a visit to Lakeside. He was wearing one of those "fancy altimeter watches" that indicated that the elevation change from the top of Colon to the chapel was 380 ft. (not sure his Timex was accurate, but that's what it indicated) The trail to the chapel is in good shape and is very active at sunrise. From 6 to 7 AM you'll see approx 20 to 25 other cheery hikers, who know the glorious benefits of a morning "push"! We continued on higher another 300 feet, the trail is more challenging and coming from Portland, Oregon (basically sea-level) didn't help either. We finally pooped out before the sun and heat took us hostage. GREAT VIEWS!

"NOT ALL WHO WANDER ARE LOST...."