Pass the Trail Mix - Please

Back from the trip to the “Grutas of Tolantongo” – about four hours southeast by car from SMA. The countryside is looking particularly colorful after all the rain we have had and the fields are full of bright yellow black-eyed-suzans (without the black eyes) and purple cosmos. The grass and bush cover is green and the cows, goats and sheep appear very content.

Tolantongo is in the state of Hidalgo – one of the poorest and least inhabited states. It is renowned for mining and cattle ranching but the major export now appears to be people north to USA. The capital city is Pachuca whose main claim to fame appears to be a pro futbol club that has the unique policy not to employ any foreign players. Of course Hidalgo also has its food specialties such as Chinicuiles (red worms) and Escamoles (spawn of ant).

We were twenty in our group organized by the local Audobon Society. Very congenial and interesting group including people who have hiked all over the globe – nature and Mx lovers all from the US (except for me) but from a wide swath of previous professions – mostly retired and of that age. I had planned to take my car but in the end my travel companion couldn't make it so I joined up with the rest of the group in their vehicles and left the Chev in SMA. We were five cars in caravan at four a piece.

The canyon is about 1000 meters deep, I suppose, with spectacular vistas up and down and water falls cascading over the steep rock walls down to the river below. The whole area is probably 1500 meters lower in altitude than SMA so the vegetation is semi tropical. The resort itself is owned and managed by a co-op of local Indian tribes and is well maintained and very popular on the weekends. We were lucky to be early in the week and had the place virtually to ourselves. The main attractions around the hotel are the campgrounds, interesting hiking paths, the “grutas” (caves), and the thermal baths. The food was ok enhanced somewhat by a tequila salesman who offered a few bottles of his new product gratis to the group. The Audobon organized happy hour nibblies each evening and after a large lunch that was all one needed in the way of food.

Unfortunately the river was a bit high due to recent rains so it was impossible to cross to the other side and take advantage of what is advertised as spectacular hiking trails in the adjoining reserve’s co-op. But we had enough to do on the side we came in on including a nice walk along the river thru orange, banana and papaya groves. The thermal baths are also a place where one can spend many hours in nice warm water on a variety of levels with a variety of views over the steep canyon walls and river below. All in all a very nice destination.