Las Ventanas - Jaramillo Lake

Dogs Off-leash

Features Lake · River/Creek · Views · Waterfall

The most special part of this hike is getting closer to El Cedral. The trail has many types of terrains and the most fun part is crossing the river. You'll find tricky route finding in many parts so bring the Hiking Project mobile app to help find your way.

Bring some money to pay for the parking and entrance fee.

The trail starts in Ventanas Valley about 11 km along El Chico Road; you can park your car here, it is very secure.

From the main meadow, start hiking to the left. The trail is well marked; when the path starts getting overgrown with too many bushes, always take the right path until you reach a medium-sized meadow. Here, go straight until you find an arch of trees on the right. From there, follow the mixture of grass and path, and when the path starts descending, you'll reach a big meadow.

I recommend leaving some clothes or a visual sign in order to be easier to return to the path on the way back. From here, you start on the greatest and coolest part of the trail. Follow it down the meadow until a river crosses it; jump the river and take the left path. Follow the path, and you'll get to a rocky trail with some parts with a river on it. Have fun jumping!

At last, you'll start to hear a waterfall; when you get there, take the left trail and follow it all the way around the rock (enjoy the views) and start descending. You'll find a mixture of green sand and rocks. Keep descending and when the rock path finishes, start taking the path that goes to the right. Descend about 300 meters and the Jaramillo Lake will appear. Take the small path and keep descending until you get to the lake.

If you are not very familiar hiking on various terrain or you are new to hiking, always evaluate yourself as the return gains altitude quickly and the terrain, in addition to route finding, is a little tricky.

There many birds and rarely rabbits. You'll find a range of vegetation from pines to cactus.