It starts out simple enough - meet some people at the hostel and we decide to go for a hike. We had all the maps and had done some research on Lonely Planet about our trek. Planned for about a 4 hour hike - and to be back at the hostel around 6 as the girls had to catch a bus that night. What could go wrong?
We start at Benito Juarez, a small town at the base of the Sierra Norte park. We plan to do a loop trail over to Cuajimoloyas. After much deliberation on the actual right way to go, we set off. We are heading on the "Orange" trail. Now here is where things get tricky, the "Orange" trail signs in this park have both orange and red in them. So we think we are on the correct orange trail, when we are actually following the "Red" trail which is heading due North and way away from our destination. Once we realize this by our GPS, we are too far off course to turn back. We have to head on to Latuvi, which was a much further route than our initial plan.
Also getting to Latuvi was tricky. The trail signs in this park only have 1 screw in them. As they are all directional arrows, they are easily manipulated by the elements or by mischievous hikers! After a while we were no longer following the arrows as often times they are pointing in the exact opposite directions as you should be going. Warning to any tourists who hike this park!
After a while we were begining to get a bit loopy as we had been walking much more than planned, and not really sure where we are. We know we are trying to get to Latuvi, but not sure exactly how to get there, and there are no hikers or locals in sight to ask for directions. We come accross some cucumbers lying in the road. We decide to help ourselves to these. It was a real moral boost to the group! It was a comical moment as we are not sure where we are, where we are going, and we are eating some cucumber we just found in laying in the road. This picture captures the joy at our impromptu snack-
From here we are wandering on, knowing we have to cross a river but not sure exactly where. It is at this time that we came across an unexpected guide name Irma. Irma is a local Mexican woman who was heading to Latuvi and offered to take us there. This was a major boost in spirits for us-
Irma also showed us her house along the way, overlooking a beautiful valley.
Just past this we had arrived in Latuvi, but there did not seem to be any taxis around to take us back to Benito Juarez. Walking back to Benito Juarez from Latuvi would have meant walking well into night fall, not something we were keen on so we began to hitch hike. Not a few seconds later a Jeep pulled up and offered to take us. The Jeep was driven by a Mexican woman from Mexico City who was on vacation in Oaxaca. She took us back to Benito Juarez which saved hours for us.
It seemed that during this adventure, whenever we really needed help it appeared. Most often in the form of a friendly local. The local Mexican people in this area were extremely warm and willing to help out as they could.
Here is a pic of us, just after getting back to Benito Juarez. All smiles.
Another picture from Benito Juarez-
This was definitely one of my more memorable days on my trip so far. Our group got along so well, and that goes along way when you are stuck in the woods with them for hours and hours :)
Sometimes the things you do not plan end up being the most memorable. The girls ended up missing their bus, but it made for one last fun night in Oaxaca.
Thanks for reading !