Abra Cerro Veladero
Abra Cerro Veladero is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.483m (14,708ft) above the sea level, located in the Provincia de La Rioja, Argentina, near the border with Chile. The pass lies on the magnificent route between Chile and Argentina via Paso Pircas Negras.
The road over the pass, located within the Reserva Natural Laguna Brava, is gravel. It’s called Carretera RN-76. After rain and snow some sections might need a 4x4 vehicle. Avalanches, heavy snowfalls and landslides can occur anytime and can sometimes block some sections of the road, being extremely dangerous due to frequent patches of ice. This road is usually open only a few months, mainly in summer, but it can be closed anytime when the access is not cleared of snow. The pass, has an extreme weather, and on winters, is usual more than 2m of snow at the summit.
In winter, the Laguna Brava Provincial Park is closed to private vehicles. Great trail for experienced wheelers. Avoid driving in this area if unpaved mountain roads aren't your strong point. Stay away if you're scared of heights. Expect a trail pretty steep. Wet conditions may make for tough driving along the muddy road. The road offers great views of Cerro Veladero and Bonete, the fourth highest mountain in the Andes.
Pic: Fotografias DelAngel