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Chirripo National Park

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Last Updated on Thursday, 21 May 2009 18:51

Location: 16 miles northeast of San Isidro del General; 94 miles southeast of San Jose

See South Pacific Tourism Region

Size: 123,873 acres

Date of Creation: August 1975

Part of: Pacific La Amistad Conservation Area

About :

Cerro Chirripo is the highest point in Costa Rica at 12,533 feet. It is also the coldest, boasting the lowest temperature ever registered in this country, a bone chilling 16° F. lakes

Thanks to differences in altitude, soil, climate and topography, the park offers visitors a variety of habitats. High-altitude microclimates include the paramo (a high, Andean-type woodland consisting of wind-stunted shrubs, grasslands and perennial herbaceous plants), as well as marshlands and fern groves. The lower slopes are home to larger trees such as oak, sweet cedar and elm. In these lush forests, mosses and bromeliads thrive on every inch of available space.

The wildlife is just as diverse as the scenery. One can find up to 60% of the vertebrate and invertebrate fauna in the country within the park's boundaries. White-faced monkeys, peccaries and the resplendent quetzal all call the slopes of Chirripo their home.

chirripohikingtrail The hiking trails here are good, ascending past glacially formed features to the summit. Small U-shaped glacial valleys, moraine deposits and lakes bear testament to the action and movement of ice masses which passed through the area 30,000 years ago and have been preserved almost intact.

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Weather:

Average Rainfall: 195 inches

Temperatures: 32° F at night; 68° F during the day

Activities:

Activities include hiking to the summit,as well as bird and wildlife watching. Camping is prohibited within the park. However, camping is allowed on an alternative three-day trek, available with a guide only, from Herradura to the peak of Chirripo.

Also near the Crestones base camp are some of the only established rock-climbing routes in Costa Rica.

Facilities:

The San Gerardo Ranger station is in San Gerardo de Rivas, 13.6 miles northeast of San Isidro along a rocky, winding road. The station offers information and takes reservations for the Crestones base camp. This base camp is a rustic lodge with roughly 60 bunk beds and cold water showers. It is located a 5-10 hour (8.6 mile) challenging hike from the trailhead and two hours hiking distance (3 miles) below the summit. loscrestones

Reservations are required, but the ranger station releases ten spots daily for hikers that show up without a prior reservation.

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Trails:

There are well-marked trails leading to the peak. At the base camp, located 8.6 miles from San Gerardo and 3 miles from the summit, are signed trails leading to other peaks, stunning valleys and glacial lakes.

Fees and Schedule:

The ranger station is open daily from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Getting There:

Take the Interamerican Highway (Rt 1) south out of San Jose towards Cartago, continuing on towards San Isidro del General. Turn towards San Gerardo de Rivas. From here, follow signs along a rocky, winding road to the ranger station.