| El Yunque | |
|---|---|
 View of El Yunque from theYokahú Tower inRío Grande, Puerto Rico | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,062 m (3,484 ft) |
| Prominence | 305 m (1,001 ft) |
| Parent peak | El Toro |
| Coordinates | 18°18′38″N65°47′29″W / 18.31056°N 65.79139°W /18.31056; -65.79139 |
| Naming | |
| Etymology | Yúcahu phonetic Spanish transliteration ofTaíno possibly meaning 'white land' and/orEl Yunque meaning 'theanvil' inSpanish due to the shape of the mountain range when seen from the south. |
| Geography | |
  El Yunque | |
| Parent range | Sierra de Luquillo |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Hike |
El Yunque orEl Yunque Peak (Spanish:Pico El Yunque) (Taíno:Yukiyu[1]) is a mountain located fully within the boundaries of theEl Yunque National Forest, part of theU.S. Forest Service, which is the onlytropical rainforest under theU.S. Forest Service jurisdiction. It is located in the municipality ofRío Grande.
The peak itself, standing at 1,062 metres (3,484 feet) above sea level is not the highest in Puerto Rico or even theSierra de Luquillo range where it is located. It is however the most famous peak due to its curious shape, its natural environment and history, and for its cultural importance to theTaino people. The peak is nearly always covered in thin mist and due to its high humidity, a quick shower develops during some afternoons. The hike to the top from the Mina Falls is not challenging yet it takes almost4+1⁄2 hours.[2]
This peak is located on the El Yunque massif which also contains other smaller peaks such asMount Britton, Juan Diego Peak and the Roca del Yunque which is a rocky peak close to the summit of El Yunque. El Yunque massif itself is part of theSierra de Luquillo. The highest point in the Sierra de Luquillo isEl Toro (Spanish forthe bull) located in the municipal boundary between Río Grande andLas Piedras, which lends its name to theEl Toro Wilderness.
El Yunque is classified as having atropical rainforest climate,Köppen climate type 'Af', along with surrounding areas, approximating asubtropical highland climate at the peak. The average temperature of the park is 70 °F, and seasonal variation virtually nonexistent. The rugged area can receive over 200 inches (5080 millimeters) of annual rainfall and is the rainiest of all US national forests.[3][4][5]
It is accessible via Mt Britton trail near the end of PR 191, which starts in PR 3 in the small town of Palmer. The best access from San Juan is viaPR 66 toll express in 1 hr. which exits to PR 3. At the end of PR 191 in El Yunque there is a loop that goes to the entrance of the Mt Britton trail - close to El Yunque peak. It is one of the few places close to this trail with about 15 parking spots.
This trail is mostly paved and leads to the Mt Britton tower, the Three Peaks (Tres Picachos), the spur trail, and finally El Yunque peak with communications systems (towers) and then a small tower in the peak. The main road PR 191 has a gate at the end and after this there is a maintenance road to El Yunque and then the closed section of PR 191 which is about 3 hours long - a road that is being reclaimed by the forest and is closed due to a massive landslide. There is also the entrance the Tradewinds trail - possibly the longest trail of the park, which ends in El Toro Peak.
Its summit provides views of the other peaks of El Yunque, the vast rainforest below, and the rest of the island. The river in PR 191 called Quebrada Juan Diego is just below this peak and has a trails, waterfalls and ponds.
Media related toEl Yunque (Puerto Rico) at Wikimedia Commons| International | |
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