Return to Sendero Cruz del Monte Huatulco Destination: Cacaluta

Over a year ago, I posted pictures from a cycling trip with a friend on the Sendero Cruz del Monte Huatulco  or, in English, Cruz del Monte trail.  Romeo and I had woken super early to follow this trail I'd found on a tourist map.  Three days ago, I took the trail again with some other friends, only this time we took the left fork instead of the right.  Romeo and I were pretty sure that the left route led to Cacaluta but Isaac knew it for a fact.   It's not marked on the map.  Check the previous entry for a photo of the map.   There's another trail there but the map looks like you would have to beat through the bush to get there first.   It's not the case.  When you find the fork, go left for Cacaluta.  The other direction is more of a road as in the picture above of the trailhead just off the residential section of Santa Cruz.

Just tonight I met a guy downtown on vacation looking for places to explore on his mountain bike so I hope this entry helps him find his way.

    Just taking a break here.  The fork isn't too far ahead at this point.   Hmm.  Now I wish I had taken a picture of the fork but it looks like we've just passed it on this photo with my handlebars sticking in the picture.  You can tell it's a different grade of trail from what we had been traveling.  It's good, just a bit narrower.

The arroyo continues on but you can see the trail continues at this point over the hump to the left.  I had the advantage of seeing visible bicycle tracks leading the way.

Sadly, I didn't take any more pictures of the trail.  Eventually it transforms into a well packed dirt road.  There is one more fork where you should turn right.  Otherwise you will end up at the gate by the main road but at least you won't get lost.  There are two other trails I know into Cacaluta but they are not bicycle friendly at all.

Here we are at our main destination, beautiful Cacaluta.

Update January 1st, 2033. Posted a youtube video startimg from the highway end of the trail to Cacaluta.

UMARELa Huatulco 2016. More fun and excitement than ever

Heading back home to change clothes for the big event, I came across the finished house that Damian had been working on the day before.

I didn't get 2 minutes outside of campus before coming across some busy elves working on a float at the meeting point.

Just look who I spotted on his way to the parade.

 That's Oscar inside.  He swore the costume wasn't too heavy.  I hope he still felt that way at the end of the journey.

 Elves started popping out everywhere.  It was just the day before that people told they were all too tired to even think of UMARELA.  Bang.  That all disappeared in a flash.  Suddenly people were running out of campus  to make it to the stating point on time.

 Here we are at the starting point.  Everyone is ready to go.

 I'm the blonde one at this photo op.

 That's our dragon below.

 OK.  Here we go.  Pictures were harder than ever to get as people kept rushing by in a blur.

 My buddy, Captain America, really wasn't sure if he was tallking to the real Thor or not.  More than a few of the young ones thought they were meeting the real thing that night.  Remember, at that age they still believe in Santa Claus.

Somebody shouted, "This is the best UMARELA ever!"  I wouldn't have thought that was possible but it really keeps getting better.  The bar continues to rise.  I've covered every UMARELA since I arrived except for that one year I was sick.  2015    2014   2012

I met another true believer super hero fan below.  Another asked me, with his mother translating, which super hero was my best friend.  I felt bigger than Santa Claus.

I ran into two graduates in the dark while watching the performances on stage.  Who can forget Patricia and Eliabi?

Clearly, Patricia is mightier than she looks.  Thanks for the break, Patricia.  My arm was getting a little tired.

The women of UMAR aren't just smart.  Some of them are at least as strong as Thor.   

That's it for another year.  Lest old acquaintances be forgotten, here are the links to UMARELAs past.





2015
 2014
  2012
2011
2010
2009