Hiking High Plain Lagoons and Salt Lake, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile
Northern Chile offers the visitor a humbling feeling in an enormous desert. The desert was formed many years ago when salt lakes left from the ice age, slowly dried. Settlement, erosion, and wind deposition created a photogenic area full of salt flats, large sand dunes, caves, crystals, minerals, and eroded canyons. Today, a few salt lakes still remain. The area of northern Chile continued to mature when heavy volcanic activity coated the desert. Thus, as one views the desert, it becomes more eye appealing with surrounding volcanoes. Some volcanoes are still active today. One can imagine how this area will look as time rolls on.
The view of Salt Lake Talar is colorful.
This lake has a great view of volcanoes.
3 different species of Flamingos visit
this lake to feed.
These salt crystals
are great to photograph Looking across the fields of salt formations.
Looking across salt lake Talar on
a windy day.
The volcanic mountains at sunset are
inspiring.
*Feature written and photographed by Phillips, June 2001.
GUIDE NOTES AND DIRECTIONS:
There are several guide companies with in San Pedro de Atacama that can take you on this eye inspiring tour. San Pedro de Atacama is north of Santiago by about 26 hours.