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Created in 1985, this reserve
is now part of a CONAF program trying to boost the development
of ecological tourism in the protected wild areas of Chile, encouraging
the participation of the private sector in the construction and
operation of infrastructure, and the development of ecological
tourist services through the concession system.
The best time to visit the park is between September - December
and mid February - April, due to good weather and fewer visitors.
However, if you want to see the impressive snowy landscape, the
best time is between June and July.
Created with
the aim of protecting and maintaining representative samples of
the biological diversity of the zone and its habitats, ‘Río
de los Cipreses’
is the home of endangered species or species being reintroduced.
There are also, however, places with archeological, anthropological
and historical interest, for example, the petroglyphs and old
constructions.
Rio de Los Cipreses National Reserve
offers all you can expect from
a reserve: beautiful landscapes, biological diversity, relevant
environmental information, and the facilities to enjoy sports
and recreational activities here.
NATURAL
HERITAGE
The most important
area is the area of the ‘Los Cipreses’
river, boasting a beautiful long and narrow valley, with a straight
north - south orientation. The floor of the valley varies in altitude
from 1,200 to 1,700 meters (3,936 to 5,576 ft) above sea level;
the surrounding peaks vary from 3,000 to 4,900 meters (9,840 to
16,072 ft) (Volcano Palomo). There are also some smaller 'hanging'
valleys, corresponding to the rivers ‘El Baúl - Piuquenes’, ‘Medina’
and ‘Los Arrieros.’
The hydra
network of the reserve is formed by tributaries of the Cachapoal
river. The most important is the ‘Los Cipreses’ river,
whose basin makes up 80% of the reserve, and which originates
in the southern point of the reserve. Other rivers and brooks
are ‘El Torno’, ‘El Relvo’, ‘Rapiante’, ‘El Baúl’, ‘Piuquenes’,
‘El Arriero’, ‘Medina’, and ‘El Colorado.’ There are also lagoons
higher up among the mountain peaks; these are: ‘Agua de la Vida’
(5,576 ft above sea level), ‘Los Piuquenes’ (7,544 ft), and ‘El
Arriero’ (7,544 ft).
The basin
of the river ‘Los
Cipreses’, found
in a large mountain valley, has a variety of vegetation ranging
from the sclerophyllous forest (adapted to semi desert conditions)
composed by peumos, soapbark trees, and litris. Further up, there
are some plant species that grow in areas over 2,000 meters (6,560
ft) high.
At medium heights, it is possible
to find patches of Andean cypress forests growing beside the terebinth,
especially in the Urriola sector. The inferior vegetation stratum
of this zone is made up mainly of broom sedge, and in springtime,
the flowers bloom beautiful colors.
Birds and animals present
in this zone are remarkable not only for their majesty, but also
for how well preserved they are. The guanaco dwells among the
most inaccessible slopes; the red and grey foxes, can be easily
observed in public places; and the vizcacha, which resides in
rocky places.
The burrowing parrot is an
important species found here. This bird, which is an endangered
species, builds its nests along the cliffs of the Cachapoal river,
and can be seen in the morning when they set out for food and
in the evening when they return to their nests.
Near the higher
peaks of the mountains we can see condors and eagles, and in the
lagoons and brooks, the Magellanic caiquén,
the correntino duck, and the cachañas
(small parrots).
HISTORIC
OR CULTURAL HERITAGE
In the reserve,
you can see petroglyphs made by ancient Indians in the following
places: Carrizal (Cachapoal), Piedra de Indio, Cotón,
Agua de la Vida, Rincón de Los Guanacos, ‘El Baúl’ and ‘piuquenes’
brooks, and Cajón
de Los Arrieros.
Between the years 6,000 and
3,500 BC, small groups of hunters moved from the Pacific Ocean
to the eastern slopes of the Andean Mountain Range, taking advantage
of a warmer period of time to hunt guanacos and huemuls (the latter
extinct in this zone). Later, these groups adapted to the climatic
conditions and established themselves in this place after certain
technological changes in their hunting instruments. It is believed
that these men created the art of petroglyphs.
The house, park, storage,
and corrals of the former Chacayes ranch, dating back to the end
of the 19th century, are located here. Underneath the house lie
the remains of ancient ironworks built in the 17th century by
Jesuits.
The area called
‘Paso de la Guardia’
is part of the folklore and legend of the area. It is named after
the narrow natural bridge over the Cachapoal river, which carried
the Pincheira brothers across the river to find shelter in the
mountain valleys of this reserve.
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