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.