After a night at the Hotel Tronador on the shore of Lago Mascardi, I walked back to Puente Colgate to continue onwards to Pampa Linda. Thanks to a tip from the receptionist I found an easy three day route via Laguna Azul (Calvu), Laguna Creton and Laguna Ilon instead of walking the road up to the isolated town. The trek consists of three half day hikes with the opportunity to camp at the two lagoons and take some time reading and enjoying the scenary.
The first morning I made my way past the Colgate bridge and up the forest path to Laguna Azul. The walk takes about 4h without break and apart from the last 2km it is really easy. It's a steady upward trail following the mountain river deriving from the lagoon. The last part of the trail you have to climb up some cliffs and steap dirt slides that required all fours. The lagoon is magnificent and if the sun is shining the water turns a stunning deep navy blue. There are a few nice spots for setting up tent near the lagoon and if you're brave enouogh you can take a bath in the ice cold water.
The second day you make your way across the lagoon along a steap rock slide. As the terrain consists entirely of lose, unstable rocks you have to take your time to step carefully. Although it is quite challanging, it is not nearly as technical as the travers from refugio Frey to Jakob or the descent from the Schweizer Pass the day before. After you cross the lagoon you head up the mountain and follow the ridge until you pass Laguna Creton, a lagoon that lies there in the snow. Afterwards you have to cross a few steap snow patches until you reach the highest part of the trail at about 1900m. From this point you have a clear view to Mount Tronador in the distance. After that, you descend the mountain until you reach the Mallin de Ricardo. This beautiful swamp has to be crossed and then there is a short descend to Laguna Ilon where you can camp. I didn't take any photos of the swamp because I was attacked by hundrets of horse flies and mosquitos. The swamp consists of paches of grass and many water pools that are quite clear and filled with bright red dirt. Laguna Ilon is a popular Camp destination for young people coming up from Pampa Linda. The weather there is much warmer than at Azul and there is almost no wind. In January the water is the perfect temperature for swimming, so this is a great place to cool off and wash yourself from previous days hiking.
Day three I started walking in the afternoon. The 14km descend to Pampa Linda only takes 2 hours if you walk fast so there is no rush. It is almost completly downhill and the trail is very clearly marked. Arriving at Pampa Linda you can then camp, stay at the refugio or sleep at the one hotel in the remote town. Pampa Linda is the starting point for the hiking possibilities up to Cerro Tronador.
Click here to view photos of the trek from Puente Colgate to Pampa Linda.