Laguna Capri and Fitzroy lookout – a beautiful half day hike from El Chalten, Argentina

Most hikes around Fitzroy mountain start from the edge of town in El Chalten. We walked down from our airbnb, showed our multi-day passes to the guards at the gate and headed up the hills.

The gate to trails around Mount FitzRoy, El Chalten, Argentina
The gate to trails around Mount FitzRoy, El Chalten, Argentina
Trails head to Laguna del Los Tres and others, El Chalten, Argentina
Trails head to Laguna del Los Tres and others, El Chalten, Argentina

Th trail to Laguna Capri (all of them actually) starts with a steep assent that reaches a nice view point of El Chalten. Later trails diverge. After the initial steep assent, the trail to Laguna Capri is mostly rolling flat – some ups and downs but nothing too strenuous.

View of El Chalten from the trail to Laguna Capri and others, El Chalten, Argentina
View of El Chalten from the trail to Laguna Capri and others, El Chalten, Argentina
View from trail to Laguna Capri, El Chalten, Argnentina
View from Mirador rio de las Vueltas on trail to Laguna Capri, El Chalten, Argnentina
Trail to Laguna Capril ,El Chalten, Argentina
Trail to Laguna Capril ,El Chalten, Argentina
Magellanic Woodpecker, male, on trail to Laguna Capri, El Chalten, Argentina
Magellanic Woodpecker, male, on trail to Laguna Capri, El Chalten, Argentina

When we reached Laguna Capri, Fitz Roy peak was covered by thick clouds. The cloud cover was moving all around and there was a threat of drizzle coming in. We decided not to proceed to Laguna de Los Tres which was a very steep hike up to the beautiful lagoon with a view of Fitz Roy mountain, if clouds did not cover it.

Laguna Capri view with Fitzroy covered by clouds, Argentina
Laguna Capri view with Fitzroy covered by clouds, Argentina
Fitz Roy mountain covered by clouds, view from Laguna Capri, Argentina
Fitz Roy mountain covered by clouds, view from Laguna Capri, Argentina

We then headed back on the trail stopping at Fitz Roy lookout. At this point we decided to eat our lunch, watch clouds shifting over Fitz Roy and wait for Condors (it was a windy day). We saw several condors cruising around though all of them pretty high up and too far for a photo. Then clouds started lifting and we could see almost the entire mountain range. We decided to walk back to Laguna Capri again and get a photo of Laguna with Fitzroy.

View of Mout Fitz Roy with clouds lifting, Argentina
View of Mout Fitz Roy with clouds lifting, Argentina

It was a completely different scene at Laguna Capri – sun shining and a beautiful view of the mountain. We learned our lesson for Patagonia – weather always changes, four seasons in a day. If you wait clouds might lift (or not), but all landscapes are beautiful in their own way.

Laguna Capri and Mount Fitz Roy, Argentina
Laguna Capri and Mount Fitz Roy, Argentina

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