Amongst the clouds - Iztaccihuatl

 Iztaccihuatl is a dormant volcanic mountain next to its more popular neighbor of Popocatepetl. It's the 3rd highest peak in Mexico at 17,159 and about 40 miles southeast of Mexico City. It's also known as "La Mujer Dormida" since its profile is said to resemble a sleeping woman. I tried my hardest to "see" this, but I just couldn't, but that's just me. 

According to our guide, legend has it that Iztahuatl was a princess who fell in love with her father's warrior, Popocatepetl who was sent off to battle but was promised to her upon his return. The entire time, Iztaccihuatl's father presumed he would not return, so she was incorrectly told that he died in battle. She was so grief-stricken that she died.

When Popocateptl returned, he was just as grief-stricken. As he kneeled by her grave, the gods covered them in snow and made them into twin mountains. 

Popocateptl, to this day, spews smoke when he remembers his eternal love for Iztaccihuatl. 

This was also one of my must hikes while in Mexico City. I'd seen pictures of Popocatepetl's majesty and wanted to see it for myself. 

Getting there, we had to drive through "El Paseo de Cortes" which is a very rough mountain pass as we approach the mountains. It derived its name from the fact that Hernan Cortes and his men navigated this pass. One can see the entire Mexico City valley and it's vastness. It was about a 30 minute 5 mph (at most) ride. If the altitude doesn't make you feel nauseous, this ride certainly will. Coincidently, the return seemed rougher than the arrival. I'll chalk that up to fatigue after a long day. 

There was a total of about 8 of us in our hiking group. Our guide indicated that everybody would pretty much be "on their own", but it would be impossible to get lost. "Just follow the trail and don't deviate off it", he said. He was correct. 

The round trip ended up taking about 3 hours and was about 3 miles total, taking into account photo opportunities, of course. 

The hike up to our previously agreed meet up/regroup point was not to difficult, even to this flatlander. As usual, the steep return was the best part to me. I usually find that I can push the pace with gravity's help. 

Being at 13,950 feet did not take it's (altitude) toll on me considering just the day before we were below sea level in Texas. 

The weather was nice, cold and breezy. This is definitely a must return trip/hike for me. 

Nevado de Toluca

 Upon scheduling our trip to Mexico City, Nevado de Toluca was one of the places I knew I just had to visit. 

Nevado de Toluca is an inactive stratovolcano. Strato because it's built upon layers of lava and ash. It's located about 50 miles west of Mexico City and happens to be the 4th highest of Mexico's peaks at 15,354 feet.     

It's also known by the Nahuati Indian name of Xinantecatl. Interesting fact, among many, in my opinion. Little did I know this week long trip would consist of pronunciation practice. Our hike consisted of circumnavigating its large open crater. There are 2 crater lakes located at the crater - The Lake of the Sun and The Lake of the Moon. 

Leading up to this adventure, we were in constant communication with Alberto, our guide. He'd been suggesting alternate locations to hike because Nevado de Toluca had been closed to the public due to the Covid-19 pandemic. He promised these other locations were epic, but nothing quite like Nevado. Fortunately, the day before he notified us that the park had reopened a couple days earlier. 

I'm sure this was the reason we only encountered a handful of people doing this hike. 

Alberto was very knowledgeable. He pointed out that one could also hike the top portion of the volcano, but it was approximately a 13 hour technical at times trek. Note to self:  next time. Maybe. 

The trailhead began at about 13k feet, and we had to hike some loose scree which are broken rock fragments descending into the crater. We took our time hiking the perimeter and just being in awe. The lake views were simply indescribable. 

At the end, we ended up ascending to 14,087 feet. My first 14er. 

Every vantage point simply outdid its prior one. It was a spectacular and breathtaking sight. Judge for yourself.