After very relaxing and comfortable stay in Vilcabamba, it was a time to go into the mountains and do some camping at higher altitude. I headed north towards Cuenca where regrouped got needed supplies and following morning I arrived at El Cajas National Park. The park is well known for its rugged terrain that features landscapes characterized by valleys nestled in between jagged mountains and hills. The park is located at altitudes over 10,170 feet (3,100 m), resulting in tundra vegetation that blankets the area. Lakes and lagoons are scattered throughout the park borders, making them common encounters for visitors exploring the national park. The park extends across the continental divide, which means two rivers flow west toward the Pacific Ocean and two flowing east toward and into the Amazon River. The combined habitats give way to a variety of wildlife species.

I spent three wonderful nights camping and painting various vistas with in the park. Because of its high altitude, the nights are cold resulting in frost when I woke up finding my tent covered in ice. The clouds moved fast over the landscape casting amazing shadows over the tundra and its lagoons. Hiking caring a painting gear is challenging because of altitude, but makes it all worth it once the painting is completed. I found that each ecosystem in Ecuador was so unique with its own pattern of weather and resulting light.

Notes from the Field: El Cajas National Park