Events in Los Tuxtlas & Catemaco
Santa Marta Visit - Draft....
Santa Marta Visit - Draft....
There are considerable doubts about the actual height of Volcano Santa Marta in the Sierra de Los Tuxtlas
in coastal southcentral Veracruz, Mexico. Judging by various internet references. It is a little taller than San
Martin Volcano. In effect the volcano is just a remnant of a ridge of something very large that apparently
blew its top many hundreds of thousands of years ago.
Our endeavor will be to get to the alleged highest point of Santa Marta Volcano and plant Mexican, Gringo,
and personal flags, shoot zillions of photos, worship the view in all directions, and, if we are acompanied
by a spirtual person, perhaps do a little brujo dance.
From Catemaco, access is via the Mexican federal highway #180 towards Acayucan. Just before
Acayucan a dirt road branches off to the Santa Marta. At its end, a paved road leads to Soteapan. This
will be the last stop for major supplies and restaurant service.
From Soteapan a terraceria leads up into the Santa Marta´s, fairly well maintained to the village of San
Fernando, about 5 kilometers. From there a graded road leads to the ejido "Santa Martha", just above the
1000 meter line. That road is subject to being asked about anytime before attempting to try it. Sometime it´s
ok for a mother´s chevy, at other times it needs a heavy duty 4x4.
At Santa Martha, the previous brecha to El Bastanol, near the Miguel Hidalgo side of Laguna Catemaco, is
disrupted by intent, negligence and definitely washouts.
In Santa Martha we will meet our guides, our horses, and still have a chance to stock up on water and trail
food.
From there it is a four kilometer trek to the top of Santa Marta. That is if there is were direct road. Instead,
expect about 10 km of trail. The latter part will be horseless and depends on your shoe leather.
At this time of year, the Santa Marta´s are dangerously dry and subject to forest fires. Snakes abound and
may scare horses or walkers. The trail will be fresh and subject to gopher holes and low branches may
damage your head. The surrounding terrain is prickly and harbors tiny things that bite. It probably will be
very hot.
I presume 4- 5 hours to get to the summit and less hours for the return trip. A small covered tent area is
available in Santa Martha for an overnight stay.
Recommended equipment includes:
I gallon of water, 5 liters
trail food, ( snack bars, frozen jumbo stone crabs, or peanuts)
rain gear, just in case
binoculars
sunscreen
insect repellant
(machete and walking stick for pro´s)
in coastal southcentral Veracruz, Mexico. Judging by various internet references. It is a little taller than San
Martin Volcano. In effect the volcano is just a remnant of a ridge of something very large that apparently
blew its top many hundreds of thousands of years ago.
Our endeavor will be to get to the alleged highest point of Santa Marta Volcano and plant Mexican, Gringo,
and personal flags, shoot zillions of photos, worship the view in all directions, and, if we are acompanied
by a spirtual person, perhaps do a little brujo dance.
From Catemaco, access is via the Mexican federal highway #180 towards Acayucan. Just before
Acayucan a dirt road branches off to the Santa Marta. At its end, a paved road leads to Soteapan. This
will be the last stop for major supplies and restaurant service.
From Soteapan a terraceria leads up into the Santa Marta´s, fairly well maintained to the village of San
Fernando, about 5 kilometers. From there a graded road leads to the ejido "Santa Martha", just above the
1000 meter line. That road is subject to being asked about anytime before attempting to try it. Sometime it´s
ok for a mother´s chevy, at other times it needs a heavy duty 4x4.
At Santa Martha, the previous brecha to El Bastanol, near the Miguel Hidalgo side of Laguna Catemaco, is
disrupted by intent, negligence and definitely washouts.
In Santa Martha we will meet our guides, our horses, and still have a chance to stock up on water and trail
food.
From there it is a four kilometer trek to the top of Santa Marta. That is if there is were direct road. Instead,
expect about 10 km of trail. The latter part will be horseless and depends on your shoe leather.
At this time of year, the Santa Marta´s are dangerously dry and subject to forest fires. Snakes abound and
may scare horses or walkers. The trail will be fresh and subject to gopher holes and low branches may
damage your head. The surrounding terrain is prickly and harbors tiny things that bite. It probably will be
very hot.
I presume 4- 5 hours to get to the summit and less hours for the return trip. A small covered tent area is
available in Santa Martha for an overnight stay.
Recommended equipment includes:
I gallon of water, 5 liters
trail food, ( snack bars, frozen jumbo stone crabs, or peanuts)
rain gear, just in case
binoculars
sunscreen
insect repellant
(machete and walking stick for pro´s)
After experiencing the nastiness of local inhabitants, I did not think it wise to climb around the mountains
with them. So a member of the group flew instead. See the pictures here.
with them. So a member of the group flew instead. See the pictures here.
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