Hornopirén National Park

Infobox_protected_area | name = Hornopirén National Park
iucn_category = II


caption = Blanco River, Hornopirén
locator_x =
locator_y =
location = Los Lagos Region, Chile
nearest_city = Hornopirén
lat_degrees = 41
lat_minutes = 55
lat_seconds = 00
lat_direction = S
long_degrees = 72
long_minutes = 16
long_seconds = 00
long_direction = W
area = 482 km²
established = 1988
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = Corporación Nacional Forestal

Hornopirén National Park is located in the Andes, in the Palena Province, in Los Lagos Region of Chile. The park contains 482 km² of rugged mountains and unspoilt Valdivian temperate rain forests. This national park borders the northern portion of Pumalín Park. The Carretera Austral passes close to the park. In the vicinity of the park lie Hornopirén and Yate volcanoes.

Geography

The park is dominated by glacially carved mountains and active volcanoes. It includes glaciers comprising an area of 30 km².

The three main bodies of water in the park are: Pinto Concha Lake (4.75 km²), Cabro Lake (1.55 km²) and Inexplorado Lake (1.5 km²). cite web |url=http://www.conaf.cl/??page=home/contents&seccion_id=4581de429d18f54abbe9f305e62af4e6&unidad=2&pagina= |title=Hornopirén National Park |publisher=CONAF |accessdate=2007-09-20] They are surrounded totally or partially by millennial Alerce forests. Inexplorado Lake is one of a series of paternoster lakes that form part of the Blanco River drainage basin. The aforesaid lakes are characterized by distinctive blue and green hues, due to rock flour suspended in their waters and give to the river its milky appearance. Negro River is another major river system in the park.

Biology

The park has about 25 mammal species, including native as well as exotic species. Among them are the Cougar, Kodkod, Lesser Grison, Chilla Fox, American Mink, Coypu, Pudú and Chilean Huemul.

It includes Fitzroya trees almost in pure stands. The pristine alerce forests cover an area of about 97.41 km², which comprises approximately the 35 percent of the vegetation cover of the park.Es icon [http://www.conama.cl/chilecanada/1288/articles-29563_doc_14.doc Supreme Decree 884, 1988, Ministry of National Assets of Chile] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.seracfilms.com/projects/Adventure_Quest/ayacara/ayacara4.htm Inexplorado Lake Expedition]
* [http://www.icarito.cl/medio/articulo/0,0,38039290_101111578_265245679,00.html Aerial photo of Inexplorado Lake]