We hiked 19 kms (12 miles) to see a tree!

And of course we saw thousands of trees along the way, but this one tree is special.

It always makes a hike better when there is a destination of some kind... a waterfall, a cave, or maybe a viewpoint. But I'm not sure we've ever done a hike to see a tree!

I mapped out a route that was 16 kms (10 miles) which in itself is a good hike. But then add in that there was a 760 meter (2,500') elevation gain and it becomes a tough day hike. Then add in that we took a different route back and it became a tough 19 km (12 mile) hike!

Oh well.... we needed the exercise!

We set of at 10:40am.

Heading uphill.

The path ahead.

Ruth, jumping over a stream.

We saw a few old ruins along the way.

No, we are not going right to the top.

Starting to get a view.

We stopped for lunch near this refuge.

There are several of these refuges in the mountains of this area. This one is called the Ciburnal Refuge. They were built to protect the shepherds and resin collectors who worked in the mountains from possible bad weather. The walls are thick and it has a chimney and fireplace for winter.

Inside the refuge.

There is a panoramic viewpoint on a rock outcropping nearby, so that's where we went to have lunch.

Where we sat to have lunch at 12:45pm.

While we were sitting there, two other couples came up and said hello. In fact, it was the only people we saw the whole hike other than two mountain bikers.

One couple lived in the nearby town where Max was parked. Turns out she is an English teacher. And the other couple were their friends who were visiting from Salamanca, where we will be headed after Avila.

Our lunchtime view.

But, we weren't even halfway yet! Only 2 kms more to the tree!

Scenery along the way.

There it is!

So, what's so special about this tree?

It's a rare variety of Scots Pine. Known locally as a Cascalbo Pine. This tree actually has its own name... the Aprisquillo pine tree.

They rarely grow above 35 meters in height, yet this one is 44 meters (144 feet). They rarely live past 250 years, yet this one is estimated to be 350 years old. 

It's also one of the few left in the area. 

You can see the difference between this pine tree and the others that are more common.

If you click on the photo to make it full screen, then click again to zoom in, you might be able to make me out standing at the base.

Ruth is a tree hugger!

Looking up.

Coming back down.

Some odd boulders.

This one has a face.

More scenery.

We got back to Max at 4:10pm. Other than a half hour lunch break we really didn't stop to rest.

We were beat! That first cold beer sure did go down well. Slept like a log.

Today will be a day of rest, although we are going to move to a different location. Not that far, just for a change of scenery.

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