PARQUE NATIONAL LOS GLACIARES

 

During my recent trip to Argentina, I spent a few days in the town of El Calafate.  Here, I took a bus tour to the Parque National Los Glaciares to observe the Puerto Moreno Glacier.  The National Park is 45 miles from Calafate and sits southwest of Santa Cruz in the Patagonia Region.  The Park was created in 1937 and sits in an area of rugged towering mountains and numerous glacial lakes including Lago Argentino which is Argentina's largest lake.  The Puerto Moreno Glacier is the most famous of the 48 glaciers fed by the southern Patagonian ice field and I believe the 3rd largest in the park.  This is the 3rd largest continental ice field on the planet today.  An entry fee is required to enter the park which can be purchased on-line or in person at the park entrance. 

There are 3 colored grated trails in the park to observe the Moreno Glacier.  In the last year the Moreno glaciers has receded somewhat due to higher-than-normal temperatures and lack of precipitation.  The Moreno Glacier is longer than the entire city of Buenos Aires. 

There are a restaurant and a cafe on the grounds.  If one gets lucky, they will see part of the glacier break off and fall into the water.  There is a boat option to get very close to the glacier.  I have visited this glacier numerous times and am still in awe by God's beautiful creation.  So, the next time you visit Argentina, make sure to visit the Parque National Los Glaciares as it is much better than the glaciers in Alaska in my opinion.