COTOPAXI
Cotopaxi the highest active volcanoes in the world at 19,348 feet (5897m) is located at the center of Cotopaxi National Park,
the most visited National Park on the Ecuadorian mainland. Located 1 ½ to 2 hours south of Quito on the eastern flank of the Andes,
Cotopaxi offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy a variety of activities including mountaineering, hiking, birding, horseback ridding,
camping and mountain biking.
HISTORY
For centuries the native people of the area worshiped Cotopaxi as a god. Foundations of homes built near the Rio Pita are evidence
of the pre-Hispanic cattle herders in the area. The ruins show evidence of platforms built to worship the mighty mountain.
These people also realized the strength and strategic position the mountain offered them by building fortresses high its flanks.
El Saitre was built to control the passage into the area. As the Incas arrived in the area they too worshiped the mountain and built
fortresses to control the surrounding area.
Much of the mountain's history surrounds its volcanic activity. Records indicate that in 1534 the conquistadors engaged in a war
with the locals for control of what is now Ecuador. During a battle on the flanks of Cotopaxi the mountain began to erupt. The
locals viewed this as a sign from their god and ran off in fear. The Spanish unused to volcanic activity and seeing the reaction
of the locals ran off in terror.
Since the Spanish first experience with the fury of Cotopaxi there have been many eruptions. The most famous occurred in
June of 1877. Smoke from the volcano could be seen from Quito to Latacunga. Ash filled the skies
and covered the countryside all the way to Machachi. As the lava poured out of
the crater it melted the glacial ice and created lahars (avalanches of mud) that sped down the mountain reeking havoc along
the way. Much of the neighboring countryside was buried as a wave of mud cascaded over it. The city of Latacunga was demolished
it's residents unable to escape were buried alive. The lahars continued with such a magnitude that within an 18-hour period the
mudflows had reached the Pacific Coast town of Esmeraldes. Much of the countryside of the Sierras still show signs of that devastating
flow.
CLIMATE
Temperatures on Cotopaxi vary little throughout the year. The average daytime temperature is 45°F (7°C). Seasonal
variations and night-time temperatures range the temperatures between freezing and 68°F (20°C). Visitors to the Park are
recommended to bring several layers of clothes including a warm sweater and protective rain-wind jacket, hat and gloves.
The rainy seasons run between January and May and October and November. The main dry season of June to September though the
strong winds are known to occur. December also has a short dry season and the time around Christmas is normally
considered the best weather of the year.
In general the best weather (least chance of rain or cloudy skies) is around the full moon. Climbers are recommended to plan
assents around the full moon whenever possible.
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The vegetation changes with the altitude and when we reach 11,500 ft (3500 m) we find arboreal species like Pumamaqui
(Oreopanax s.p.p.), Quishar or "God's tree", Mortiño (Vaccinium floribundum) and Romerillo (Hypericum laricifolium).
In the Lake Limpio Pungo area there are many birds, especially the Galleteras, ducks, Andean Gull and Sparrow hawks.
The rocky volcano Rumiñahui is one of the areas known for condors.
HUMID HIGH MOUNTAIN FOREST
This makes up the lower elevations of the park including the area near Lake Limpio Pungo. The humid high mountain forest exists
between 11,000 ft to 13,000 ft (3400-3900 m) where temperatures average between 43-56°F (6°-12C). Few native trees
still exist due to deforestation and burning. Those trees that do exist compete with paramo grasses and introduced pine trees for
nutrients. Some of the native plants that still exist in the area include Chuquiragua (climber's emblem) and Alchemila that remain
characteristic of this area. This zone is the best region in the park for viewing animals. The area surrounding Lake
Limpio Pungo is known for its birding. Visitors frequently see Andean Sea Gulls Lapwings and Ducks.
RAINY SUB-ANDEAN PLAINS
This area is characterized by native Paramo and Pajanol grasses and other cold resistant plants. Lupine and mosses often grow in
small clusters in areas protected by the winds. The rivers near Cotopaxi, including the Rio Pita, no longer contain
the Prenadilla fish, the once endemic fish of the High Andes the rivers now only contain trout a species introduced by the
Ministry of Agriculture. The river valley in the plain zone still shows scaring from the gigantic lahar of Cotopaxi's last eruption in
1877.
Rainy Andean Tundra
In the area between 14,500-15,500 ft (4400-4700m) temperatures range from 35-38°F (1.5-3°C). This zone is like other tundra
zones around the world. The soils are saturated from water and when combined with the cold temperatures and poor nutrients in the
soil few plants are able to survive in this environment. Those plants, which are able to survive tend to be low to the
ground and include lichens and moss.
For more information on other peaks in Ecuador please refer to our Andes Peaks page.
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