Indiana Jones and the Cascadas Waterfall

Indiana Jones and the Cascadas Waterfall.

Or so it seemed.

After two long days or driving we fancied a quieter day with a little walking. We first drove back into the National Park and took the road to the Orsono Volcano. The top was shrouded in cloud so we stopped about half way up and admired the view. Orsono is still officially considered an active volcano, although, thankfully for us, it has not erupted since 1869. I tried, but failed, to photograph two emerald green humming birds sipping nectar from fuschia flowers. One even hovered in front of me in a sort of confrontational stand off.

In the village of Las Cascadas we spotted a fading sign to the waterfalls and took the rutted track as directed. The route was so bad we covered the last kilometre on foot. The kiosk at the entrance to the waterfall was closed and the path was overgrown. Clearly this attraction had seen better days. As the path twisted and turned, rose and fell, the undergrowth became more impenetrable. We had to dodge around shoots of bamboo, under overhanging fuschia trees, and avoid the fronds of ferns sprouting from crevices in the rocks. At one point the fast flowing river had breached the banks and flooded the path so we had to pick our way from stone to stone. The path crossed the river on three occasions, the first a patchwork of trees, planks, and metal grating all looking the worst for wear; the second a conveniently toppled tree; and the third a shaky structure leaning precariously to one side with wooden hand rails that yielded to the lightest pressure. From this last bridge it was necessary to descend by way of a wooden ladder with no supports. The setting was just like something straight out of an Indiana Jones movie. The view of the waterfall was impressive as it fell over 80metres with a thunderous roar to the valley floor below.

In the afternoon we drove across gravel tracks with fine views across open farmland and to the lake beyond. Towards the end of the day we glimpsed the 2652 metre high snow covered summit of Volcano Orsono, piercing through a base of clouds and reflecting the sun like a beacon. It dominates the landscape for miles around.