Lago Mosquito, Chubut
Posted 2 months, 3 weeks ago at 12:44 pm. Add a comment
Also known as Lago Carlos Pellegrini, Lago Mosquito is to the northeast of Cholila. It’s quite a bit off the beaten path, literally; it is away from the road that connects this small town with the RN 40, and the RP 71 is the closest paved road.
Lago Mosquito is much less well known than the lakes Rivadavia, Menendez and Futalaufquen, but it is absolutely not lacking in beauty. More closely related to the lakes Juncal and Lezama, it’s located in the transition from the Andean forest to the Patagonian steppe, and has oh-so-much to offer the visitor.
Cholila, the nearest town, has cabins, campgrounds and other rustic accommodation options, as well as restaurants serving the best local meat. The town still has the soul of a village, and travelers will notice the small-town, hospitable feel at every turn.
While the town provides a variety of services, its setting is really the reason for traveling here. Four famed valleys (or valles) form the plain in which Cholila sits — El Cajón, El Rincón, El Blanco, and Villa Lago Rivadavia. While there are other lakes in the area, Lago Mosquito is really the one that shines.
It’s a mere 2.5 kilometers from Valle el Rincón, along the provincial route number 15. Entrance by car comes from the Carlos Pellegrini campsite, or from the center of the valley. It’s also possible to enter the area walking, going to the edge of Mine Creek and passing over a small neighboring wooden bridge. From there, the visitor ascends 500 meters or so, where they will get a panoramic view of the valleys El Cajón and El Rincón, just like it were on the front of a postcard.
To come back down, there are a few different, moderately easy trails used by animals. Throughout this walk, the visitor walks through a small forest of cypresses and other trees, until arriving at the bank of the lake, where birds, flora and other fauna can be observed, while resting for a bit and taking in the amazing countryside. Lago Mosquito is the only that has the free option of fishing, finding trout, perch, and arco iris.
Landscape is king in this area, and all the services provided are aimed at showcasing the majestic hills, valleys and lakes that comprise the countryside. Lago Cholila is also in the area, just 14 km away from the town of the same name, and is one of the most beautiful in the area. It sets the perfect scene for hiking alongside the towering mountains, accompanied by a specialized guide. This hike can also be combined with a fishing trip along Carrileufú river, navigating along the Lago Mosquito, or observing the working of the land. For information on more small Argentine towns, visit this Argentina Travel Guide.
Other activities in the area include walking, hiking, mountain biking, sport fishing, river kayaking, and exploring the lakes, forests and mountains that offer themselves to be enjoyed.
Beyond all the outdoor wonders to be enjoyed, there is also an annual festival that is worth going to: the Fiesta Provincial del Asado. An asado is a traditional Argentine barbeque, and here the visitor can taste a delicious Patagonian asado while enjoying the spectacular landscape to which they will surely toast.
The best time to visit is in the spring, summer and autumn. While the landscape is amazing all year, the intense cold of winter and lack of services make it a difficult time o go.
In 2009, Dario Calfunao and Laura Volentini, who ran a hostel in Esquel for four years, have recently moved to Piuke Mapu in Cholila, located up in the cypress forest, just along the western edge of Lago Mosquito. Other accommodation options are available in Cholila, but none will give you such immersion in this incredible countryside.