Yunque forest puerto rico: Best Hiking Trails in El Yunque National Forest

Posted by alexxlab
April 18, 2023
0 Comments

El Yunque National Forest and the Puerto Rican Parrot: A Story of Peril and Perseverance

Two weeks after category 5 Hurricane Irma hit Puerto Rico, Hurricane Maria swept in on September 20, 2017, and devastated the island—my home. Floods, landslides and intense winds destroyed houses, toppled trees, wiped out critical infrastructure and killed over 4,600 people. I was one of the lucky ones. There were days when my family and I hauled gallons of water from the river and washed our clothes with washing boards. Without electricity, watching the night sky in complete darkness and talking for hours became evening activities. But amid the tragedy and chaos, the Puerto Rican people lifted our communities up, cleared away the debris and delivered supplies to hard-hit areas.

I thought about how the hurricanes impacted the island’s endangered species such as the Puerto Rican parrot—one of the most critically endangered birds in the world with only about 180 in the wild before the hurricanes struck. The parrot is dependent on El Yunque National Forest in eastern Puerto Rico—the only tropical rainforest in the U. S. National Forest System.

Image

Jan Paul Zegarra, USFWS

Though relatively small at about 29,000 acres, El Yunque is one of the most biologically diverse forests, providing a haven for a variety of flora and fauna, including 13 species listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Puerto Rico’s ecosystems and species historically have been able to adapt to hurricanes that provide ecosystem benefits such as nutrient cycling. But with climate change increasing, hurricanes are now more intense and hit the island more frequently. Higher rainfall and stronger winds knock down more trees and flood the rainforest’s delicate terrain, altering species’ habitats. As trees fall, parrots lose their nesting areas, their main food source (fruit) and forest canopy cover, becoming more vulnerable to predators.

Long before Christopher Columbus triggered the colonization of Puerto Rico, hurricanes were part of the Indigenous Taíno People’s lives. In search of protection from the bad spirit of “Juracán” (hurricane), the Taínos rushed to the peaks of the Luquillo Mountains known to them as “Yuke.” As the storms passed, the Taínos prayed to the good spirit “Yokahu” in the mountains that today make up part of El Yunque National Forest. It now serves as a refuge for the island’s wildlife as it once did for the Taíno People.

When Columbus arrived at the beaches of what was then known as “Borikén” in 1493, around a million Puerto Rican parrots flew through the forested mountains of the island. Since then, the birds have been hunted by farmers, captured by the pet industry and forced to migrate to higher grounds. The loss of over 90% of Puerto Rico’s forests, first to agriculture and then to development, struck the biggest blow to the species and forced its retreat to El Yunque—the only place the parrots survived for more than 70 years. Yet the national rainforest provides less suitable habitat than lower elevation areas because temperatures are lower, humidity is higher and the birds must compete with other species.

The Puerto Rican parrot has long battled adversity. By 1975, the population plummeted to 13 individuals. Hurricanes have become a major compounding threat to the species that is hanging by a thread and reliant on a captive-breeding program to supplement the wild population. Hurricane Maria wiped out El Yunque National Forest’s entire wild population of about 55 parrots.

Image

Jan Paul Zegarra, USFWS

In the face of such loss, forest managers ask how El Yunque Forest can continue to advance the species’ recovery, especially in light of the forest’s suboptimal habitat and greater vulnerability to hurricanes than more westerly parts of Puerto Rico. Scientists believe the national forest remains important for the parrot’s survival, and three additional populations must be restored as added security in the face of threats like severe hurricanes. Thankfully, the government reestablished a population in the Rio Abajo Forest on the western part of the island just before the 2017 hurricanes.

The U.S. Forest Service, which manages El Yunque, is obligated to help recover endangered species on its lands under the Endangered Species Act and the agency’s own regulations. The Forest Service recently adopted a revised management plan to guide activities, including wildlife conservation. Though the plan was largely developed before hurricanes Irma and Maria, it includes provisions that, for example, direct the Forest Service to protect and improve the parrot’s nesting habitat, establish buffer areas to prevent nest disturbance, support the captive-breeding program and conduct annual monitoring of the forest’s parrot population. Additionally, the Forest Service has collaborated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources since the 1970s to reintroduce captive parrots to the rainforest in hopes of restoring a viable population.

Image

Mark Davis, USFWS

Though it’s far from over, the story of the Puerto Rican parrot illustrates the vital importance of El Yunque National Forest to the survival of the species. Despite the devastating impact of the 2017 hurricanes, national forests across the United States and territories will likely be increasingly crucial to wildlife as safe havens from extreme wildfires, flooding and drought as well as hurricanes exacerbated by climate change.

While the parrot still faces challenges, there is some good news. Early last year, 30 birds were released in El Yunque. With the Rio Abajo population, there are now about 200 Puerto Rican parrots in the wild. Just as we rose back up from the worst hurricane season on the island, so did the Puerto Rican parrot, and my hope is that one day I’m able to see this beautiful species flying above the island like it once did.

Gabriel Figueroa Torres was a federal lands program intern this summer.

To read this blog in Spanish, click here.

El Yunque National Forest – Puerto Rico 191, HC-01

106 Tips and reviews

Filter:

rainforest
hiking
la mina
trails
scenic views
el yunque
flowers
tours
waterfalls
shoes
books
forests
casual
quiet
short
park
sneakers
camping
zip lines
mountains
(15 more)

Take a few pics for the insta, but then put your phone away and take in all the beautiful green and lush nature around you. Don’t be scared off by the rain, it makes the hike even better and special
A MUST when visiting PR. Plan to sweat and see scenic views. If you’re not sweating, you’re not having fun! Plan to arrive early to hike and take in the breathtaking views at your own pace.
The only tropical rain forest in the US, El Yunque National Forest has some of the best hiking trails and camping spots in the region. Don’t forget to take a refreshing dip in the waterfall pool.
palo colorado trees rot hollow inside as they age even as the tree still grows and lives, forming some of the most valuable real estate for the denizens of the rainforest
Great place for waterfalls , hikes , watch towers .. also do the angelito trail . It goes along a wild River with plenty of swimming holes and rope jumps!
The drive is a little scary but the views make it worthwhile! Let your inner nature buff run wild – no tour guide necessary. Explore the natural wonders of the rain forrest and swim in a waterfall!
Visited El Yunque again today! This time we went to Puente Roto, the cold river with huge boulders in it! Super cold water, crystal clear! Zip lining is also available. Best place to visit ever!!!
Bring your swimsuit and be prepared to be walking for hours and through slippery ground. It’s a great experience, specially if you go all the way down on the tiny trail to La Mina waterfall.
Def make the hike into La Mina falls. It’s about 25 mins each way but totally worth it. The water is cold so bring a towel to dry off after. Wear sneakers.
Don’t do the short half day tour, they’ll only take you along the main paths and you won’t see much. Take the longer tours that go into the forest itself and find yourself a waterfall to swim in!
Go to Juan Diego trail at precisely the 9. 5 kilometer marker. The trail is no longer on park maps but is much more fun than the other trails. Watch for cobwebs. Hike till you see the big waterfall.
Great place to hike, short drive and just enjoy a nature walk. Stop at the visitors center for some information and snacks.
La Mina is a great waterfall and the entire park is breathtaking. Be ready to sweat and walk a lot. Bring water.
Considered to us as one of the 7 Wonders of the World! The Yunque will provide lots of adventure and excitement as you climb your way to the top, enjoy the breath-taking view! Be sure to bring water!
The forest was an unforgettable and breathtaking experience… the best part of our trip. The falls were amazing. Be brave and get in. You won’t regret it!
La mina falls is a great short hike to do. It’s paved the whole way so it’s not too hard and there’s tons of people bathing in the pool at the end
The trails are really well documented and designed. You don’t necessarily need sneakers all the time for easy/moderate trail. Appropriate for any ages!
Most of the stops are and typical attractions along the road are pretty underwhelming. Drive as far as you can up the mountain and do the 0.8 mi Mt. Britton Tower hike for 360 degree views!
A wonderful place for tourist and Puerto Ricans to have an adventurous day. Bring good tennis shoes, because you’ll be walking and climbing most of the time.
National forest, great experience with nature. Drive to Luquillo, only 45 minutes from San Juan and have one of your best experience with nature.
I do Tours here every week its the only rainforest in the Américas its 3000ft and some of the best water falls in the World and you can swim in. them…
La Mina falls is much better than La Coca. The hike on the big tree trail isn’t too steep. Good for first timers and youngsters or elders.
You needed to go to the north aside to see waterfalls. The ride to the top is steep but doable. Motion sickness for the weak stomached. Beautiful + accessible but only one trail with no waterfalls.
wear sneakers, bring warm clothes and an umbrella – it will rain. swim in the rainfall. access to the rainforest is free but there’s a $4 fee to enter via the Visitor Center
Yokohu Tower provides great vistas of the eastern side of the Island, and on clear days (which, being a rainforest, are few and far between) you can see the Virgin Islands. Be sure to also try some Pi
Amazing! Take the trail to La Mina falls. It’s all free if you avoid the visitor center.
A wonderful site to visit when you are in Puerto Rico. Look in the elephant ears leaves and you might find a coqui.
Just 30 minutes from the city, this lush national park is amazingly pristine. Hike around to admire its many waterfalls and secret swimming holes. For more, follow us on 4sq or at www.renhotels.com.
The #1 Reputable and Discount Taxi service in Puerto Rico! Google: “Luquillo TAXI” and check our trip advisor reviews under “Luquillo TAXI” or “Shawn Herrera”E-MAIL ~ [email protected]
Louie’s VIP yours is the way to go! Easy hike/walk in and out to the falls, great views!
Be sure to bring plenty of water if you are going on the trails. The trails are super fun but you will get thirsty.
Get here early!!! Before 9 am if you like hiking by yourself. Simple hiking trails that have you looking more as to where you step than enjoying the surroundings. Yet, if you like a hike that gives y
Did the hiking trail to the waterfall – very pretty and work the hike! Definitely take swimwear.
Wear good walking or hiking shoes and bring a raincoat. Expect short lived heavy downpours, followed by hot sun.
Unless you hike on the regular–make two day trips instead of one long day. Bring a poncho–you will get wet at some point.
Louie’s VIP Tours is the best guided tour you can get, he knows everything about the culture, plants, flowers and history of PR. Great guy!
Luquillo Taxi & Tours, the #1 Reputable & Affordable adventure transportation n #PuertoRico #SanJuan #Taxi #Riogrande BOOK EARLY 787-513-7685
Great place to see rainforests with good trails!!
Great hiking! The waterfalls are picturesque! Great for couples and families too!
Go to the El Yunque peak. It is definitely worth the time and effort! The view is incredible!
If you are somewhat “fit”, skip the 1/2 day tour & go on a real 10-hr hike, or 2-day tour for maximum fun!
The climb to the original tower can be pretty challenging, but so worth it!
Breathtaking scenic views, awesome rivers, great rainforest!
Great place to see rainforests up close – good trails to walk through
Bring fruit and snacks to sit and enjoy! Pack extra clothes in a dry bag.
The world’s new 7 wonders Nod! Exotic trees, flowers,The Puertorrican Parrot & the most beautiful waterfall. – Kenya Michaels, RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 4
Amazing trails. And waterfall was worth it!!
Probably the only chance you’ll get in a lifetime to see a rainforest and swim in its waters
If you already know where you want to hike, go straight past the welcome center to skip the fee!
Natural park, what more can I say. Simply beautiful!

1,182 Photos

You must enable JavaScript to use foursquare.com

We use the latest and greatest technology available to provide the best possible web experience.
Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings to continue.

Download Foursquare for your smart phone and start exploring the world around you!

0031

Car rental office just 100 meters from the port. No more than a quarter of an hour is spent on formalities, and now I’m sitting in the car and plotting a route on the map. El Yunque Park is located in the northeastern part of Puerto Rico.

El Yunque National Park

These are waterfalls and

hiking in the jungle.

Nature lovers who easily memorize the names of plants will surely enjoy the walk. I’m not one of them, I would like to distinguish a rose from a dandelion;)

Natural baths with cool water. Don’t miss it, be sure to take a dip.

It seems that from such a crowd of greenery in one place, the eyes are about to scatter in different directions.

10.

Political information. Puerto Rico is the closest territory to the United States. In 2012, a referendum was held here. Most of the inhabitants were in favor of joining the island to the United States. Let Puerto Rico become the 51st state, they decided. It’s up to the small thing – to come to an agreement with Congress, but here’s something the US is in no hurry to accept Puerto Ricans. And no one happily bawls “puertoriconash” – strange people;)

Yokahu Tower

Viewpoint in El Yunque Nature Reserve. From here you can see the whole island.

11.

12.

13.

Fajardo

Then my way lay in Fajardo, a cozy port city. Large iguanas are his calling card.

14.

15.

16.

Luxury residential complex near the ocean.

17.

18.

19.

At the entrance to the yacht parking yard, turn down the music)

20.

But the country side is much cooler. I parked the car by the road, walked two meters – and here it is the beach.

21.

Puerto Rico was the 149th country I visited.

22.

During this outing, I wanted to see another city of Caguas, but time was running out, and it was time to return to San Juan, closer to the ship.

San Juan

San Juan is beautiful. If you are on the island for the first time, you don’t have to go anywhere, stay here, you won’t regret it. Moreover, cruise ships moor in the very center.

23.

Leaving the car and walking along the streets with colorful houses is an unforgettable experience.

24.

25.

Narrow cobbled streets.

26.

Here you can. What and to whom remains behind the scenes.

27.

Even the house numbers are decorated in San Juan.

28.

29.

Right in the center of San Juan – La Perla slum . Once upon a time, butchers lived here, and fresh meat was traded with might and main. One era has replaced another, and now drug dealers live in the area. Many houses are dilapidated, this is the most disadvantaged place in San Juan.

30.

31.

Seeking Christ

32.

33.

San Cristobal Castle

The fort is a must to visit. Pasha has a detailed story, but this time I didn’t have time to get inside.

34.

A man in a jacket is an indispensable attribute of the Caribbean capital, however, you yourself already know this very well.)

35.

And again San Cristobal Castle, view from the city.

36.

Monument to Christopher Columbus.

37.

Cuban selling cigars. I confuse the flags of Cuba and Puerto Rico all the time. They differ only in colors. Do you have the same problem?)

38.

I really liked Puerto Rico. The island, of course, deserves at least two or even three days. Technical closure is not about Puerto Rico. Therefore, in December we go there for three days and explore the island in full.

39.

Time to go.

40.

Route map

41.

My Caribbean Diary

1). Sinkt Martin Island
2). island of Guadeloupe
3). island of Martinique
4). Aruba Island
5). Dominica Island
6). Antigua Island, Antigua and Barbuda
7). island of Curacao
8). Anguilla Island
9). island of St. Barthelemy
10). Nevis Island, St. Kitts and Nevis
11). Trinidad Island, Trinidad and Tobago
12). Saint Lucia
13). Virgin Gorda Island, British Virgin Islands
14). Montserrat Island
15). Tortola Island, British Virgin Islands

Original on Turbine | My Turbine Page

Tags: Caribbean, Puerto Rico

Encounters with aliens in the forest of Puerto Rico

Information and analytical portal “RBK-NEWS.RU” / Encounters with aliens in the forest of Puerto Rico – Paranormal news

This picturesque place is very popular among tourists, but is also a place where reports of UFO sightings, unexplained disappearances, strange creatures roaming the trees, sightings of the Chupacabra come in with frightening regularity.

El Yunque National Forest , formerly known as the Caribbean National Forest, is over 28,000 acres of dense rainforest in northeastern Puerto Rico.

It is the only rainforest in the US National Forest System and the US Forest Service, the largest rainforest in the Caribbean and the largest piece of public land in Puerto Rico.

The park is set around two mountains, one of which is also called El Yunque, meaning “The Anvil”, at 3,540 feet above sea level and is home to an incredibly diverse menagerie of flora and fauna, most of which is found nowhere else. on earth and many of which are endangered.

This scenic area is very popular with tourists, but is also a place where reports of UFO sightings, unexplained disappearances, strange creatures roaming the trees, sightings of chupacabra, cases of livestock mutilation, the location of underground alien bases, etc., come in with frightening regularity.

El Yunque Forest is truly one of the strangest places in all of Puerto Rico, and one of the most famous mysterious incidents happened here in 1973. In the month of October, a group of nine people came here who dreamed of seeing UFOs, because in those days there were especially intensive reports of UFO sightings in this part of Puerto Rico.

Most of these messages came from within the forest of El Yunque. In addition, the inhabitants of the villages located near the forest, as in those days, began to complain again that someone would brutally mutilate and kill cows and goats. They blamed the notorious Chupacabra for it.

From the very beginning of the campaign, its participants began to see something unusual and even surreal. First of all, when they were walking past the mountain, they met three people who were descending from the mountain path. This trio was dressed in the same clothes and had almost the same facial features.

It is possible that they were just three tourist twins, but when the hikers greeted them, they did not seem to hear or see them, without uttering a word and without looking up, they passed the group and disappeared further along the trail.

The group continued on their way and in the evening they set up camp on a mountainside, planning not to go to bed at night, but to watch the sky in the hope of seeing a UFO. It quickly got dark and soon became completely dark.

Suddenly, people sitting by the fire heard a loud rustling and crackling of branches in the bushes nearby. Since there are no large predators in Puerto Rico and very few large animals in principle, they decided that there might be some other tourist in the bushes. They called out to him and received no answer, and then the rustling and crackling subsided and it became very quiet, unusually quiet in the whole forest.

Several hours passed, but they did not see the UFO and finally decided to go to their tents and go to sleep. And then they again heard a loud crack in the bushes, as if there was something large that was trying to get through the bushes to their camp.

Grabbing their flashlights, the members of the group lit the bushes and clearly saw five or six humanoid figures among the thicket, which, crouching, crept, trying to surround them. People thought they were other tourists, but when the dark figures came closer, the flashlights highlighted gray-skinned creatures that could only be mistaken for a person in the dusk.

The creatures had elongated ears, like elves, and long claws on their hands.

The sight of these aliens frightened the members of the group so much that several of them tried to escape from the camp. However, they were not allowed to do this, it turned out that the gray humanoids completely surrounded the camp and did not intend to let anyone out of it.

The leader of the group, Heriberto Ramos, claimed that one of the creatures suddenly stared at him, as if inviting him to contact. Ramos took this as a sign that he might want to communicate and therefore moved closer to the creature. When he approached, he took a good look at his triangular head and “extraordinary eyes.” Ramos claimed he was able to get close enough to touch the creature with his hand.

The creature looked at him with curiosity, as if it was just as amazed by the sight of Ramos as he was. This calmness of his was belied by the dangerous-looking claws on his gnarled hands. For a moment, Ramos thought that something important was about to happen, that they would begin to communicate, but the creature continued to simply look at him and remain silent.

Meanwhile, other similar creatures roamed the camp among the surprised and frightened members of Ramos’ squad. Soon, one person, either due to stress or under the influence of aliens, suddenly wandered into the forest like a zombie, while in a trance-like state. Another person ran after him in an attempt to get him back, but forgot all about it when he saw a glowing egg-shaped object behind the trees.

This “egg” was lying on the ground, and it looks like it was it that “lured” a person who had gone into the forest to itself. Then other members of the Ramos squad also went into the forest and saw two humanoids there, who were holding another flickering “egg” in their hands. Later there were suggestions that the “eggs” were special devices that influenced the condition of people and forced them to leave the camp for the forest at the whim of the aliens.

For the rest of the night, the hikers wandered through the woods around the camp in a trance-like state or close to it. And when the sun rose, the aliens suddenly disappeared, finally leaving the tired and exhausted people alone.

When Ramos and his men came to their senses, they found that the ground around the trees was trampled with strange footprints, as if the creatures that walked there were very heavy. They managed to take some photographs of these footprints, and then they quickly packed their things and left the forest as soon as possible.

Six months later, in May 1974, researcher Federico Alvarez went to the forest of El Yunque along with several students from the local college. He had heard about the aliens that Ramos’s group had met here, and he longed to see something like that too.

When Alvarez and the students were just approaching the forest in their car, they all saw a very tall humanoid figure that ran across the road in front of their car and disappeared into the bushes. Alvarez immediately braked, and then he and the students ran for a long time through the bushes and the forest in an attempt to catch up with this creature.