| Main | Monterrey | Death Valley | Photography | About Me | Resume | Contact Me |
Although this attraction had, for years, been a natural get-away for residents of Monterrey, in recent years the Cola de Caballo complex has evolved into a more commercial endeavor. A full-blown exclusive hotel and restaurant have been built at the entry point, right off the highway. What used to be nothing more than a dirt parking lot has now been converted into the forementioned resort. Whether or not you choose to actually stay at the hotel or eat at their restaurant, you may walk to the resort's terrace. From there you will have a beautiful view of Villa de Santiago below, the Presa de la Boca resevoir, and an impressive view of lush, green vegitation covering just about everything in sight, including the southern extreme of Monterrey's Saddleback Mountain. There's also a bungee-jump for the more daring (see pictures below). Despite the commercial development at Cola de Caballo's point of entry, the traditional, natural experience has still been preserved. Having parked your car in the ample parking lot and walking in the direction opposite of that of the resort you'll find the entrance at the end of the parking lot. Once through the gate, you may wish to stop at some of the stands that sell food, drink, and souvenirs (you might want to leave the souvenirs for "on the way out," so you don't have to carry them with you on your walk to the falls). Proceeding along the trail for a few minutes you'll get to a point that seems to open up into a bit of a plaza. There'll be a small building on the left-hand side of the trail/plaza where they'll charge you for further access to the park (as of April 2005 the cost was 30 pesos per adult and 20 pesos per child). Having paid, you may continue along the trail--either walking or on horseback. If you like horses, feel free to pay the extra amount for the ride. The walk, however, is only half a mile from the entrance (by the parking lot) all the way to the falls themselves, so there's no practical reason to go on horseback. But for horse lovers, the option is available. The entire walk to the falls is in a narrow cooridor with many trees. The trees will shade you along many parts of the trail but, during the summer, it's still a hot and humid trek. The heat and moisture seem to "collect" in the cooridor and just sits there; there's not much of a breeze to cool you off. According to my GPS, the actual vertical gain over the half-mile walk to the cascade is less than 100 feet--but it may feel like more in the heat of the summer. All the way to the falls you will find families and friends having picnics or cookouts at any of the areas that have been constructed for that purpose. In fact, on weekends you usually have to get to Cola de Caballo pretty early if you want a picnic or cookout spot since, if you arrive late, you'll find all the spots already taken. This waterfall is right on the eastern edge of the Sierra Madre foothills.
|
