OTHER DESTINATIONS IN RAWSON

PUNTA LOMA PROVINCIAL RESERVE
On Golfo Nuevo, south of Puerto Madryn city, in the district of Viedma, lays the Reserve of Punta Loma.

Created in 1967 by Provincial Law Nº 697 with the aim of protecting its permanent colony of sea lions, Punta Loma was one of Chubut wildlife department's first fauna reserves.

The southern sea lion (Otaria flavescens) is a species that is extensively distributed on the whole Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Argentinean and Chilean Patagonia. Peninsula Valdés is a major spot to view this species.

Males, in contrast with females, have a darker brown coloring. They have manes, and reach a total length of 2 ½ m, and a maximum weight of 350 k. The pups are usually born from December to end January. They are dark, and bleat like little lambs. They can weigh up to 13 k at birth.

In the reserve you are recommended how to behave so as not to interfere with the activities of the colony, while you are also given full details on the growth cycle of the sea lion.

To get there, you go southeastwards along Boulevard Almirante Brown, up to the "Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia". There, you will find a gravel road that takes you to the seal colony. It is barely 14 km away from Puerto Madryn city.

Once on the reserve, another gravel track takes visitors to an observation deck placed on a hillside with a great view of Golfo Nuevo and the seal colony.

The reserve has well-signposted pathways that instruct aboutt the diverse vegetation of Patagonia.

In this place there is also a pathway to observe and learn about the typical flora of this region.

The principal flora is low and has a bushy type. These are sample species of both the Patagonia steppes and woods, such as: jarilla, barba de chivo, algarrobillo, alpataco, piquillín, etc.

In the high areas, the existing bushes are: quilimbay, cola piche, molle, mata laguna and mamuel-choique.

Next to the sea there is a vegetation type that makes a complete contrast with the above, with a predominance of species that are able to survive the high salinity of the soil and the environment, such as jume, vidriera and zampa.

The land fauna that is typical of the Patagonia steppes and may be seen: guanacos, lesser rheas, maras, foxes, piches, etc.

The large number of visitors hosted in this area demands control and vigilance by the wildlife rangers, since any interference with the seal colony might endanger its continued existence at this location.

This area of shoreline and the neighboring areas also feature medium-height cliffs that end abruptly at the shoreline, lined with long, stony beaches.

You will be able to observe the neighbouring areas at the end of the circuit when you return to Puerto Madryn along the pathways following the coast. You can see the beaches of El Pozo, Paraná, Punta Este and Káiser.

Remember that Punta Loma may be visited at any time. Just remember the hours when the tide is out.

FLORENTINO AMEGHINO DAM
The Florentino Ameghino dam is the perfect excuse for a spot of adventurous trekking.
This is a monumental work of engineering that was conceived and designed by Engineer Antonio Pronsato in 1943.
Twenty years later, it was inaugurated, together with a hydro-electric power station that used a 56 m waterfall with a spill volume of 150 cubic m per second. On the right of the Dam Bridge you will see part of the artificial 7,000 hectare lake with its greenish waters, and on the left a minute valley.
The power station provides Pico Truncado, Caleta Olivia, Comodoro Rivadavia and the Lower Chubut River Valley area.
Beyond the Dam Bridge there is a pleasant shady bathing area at the foot of its dark yellow containment walls. Walking through this area, you will be able to esteem some lovely forests.
The rocky headlands form a reddish canyon that circuits the Chubut River bed over a distance of several km. Alternated natural and artificial stairways will take visitors up the rocky walls of this canyon to the scenic observation decks.
On the banks of the river, the soothing hues of vegetation and water create a perfect environment for relaxation and contemplation of nature in all her glory. This area provides barbecue grilles, a campsite, a general store and other facilities. In summer, adventure sports and activities take place here (rafting, trekking, photo safaris, etc.) as well as trout fishing.
To get here, you have to leave Madryn southwards, along Provincial Route Nº 3 (paved). Your destination will be the city of Trelew. When you get to the roundabout after having done some 60 km, you have to turn right through National Route Nº 25, towards Esquel.

From the roundabout up to the district of Las Chapas it is some 117 km. Here you turn left and, after some 12 km access Florentino Ameghino Dam.

CERRO AVANZADO
Along the same gravel track that took you to Ameghino Dam you can get to Cerro Avanzado beach. This beach is much used by fishermen, and is full of sea birds scavenging around for food.

Its name refers to its main topographical feature: sloping sedimentary formations millions of years old that contain fossil remains of oysters and marine vertebrates.

At the base of Cerro Avanzado, if one carefully scrutinizes the bordering cliffs and overhangs, one will see a great number of marine fossils protruding from them, such as mussels, oysters, crabs, sea snails, etc.

On the high points in this area are the so-called "picaderos"(stone age flint chipping quarries), that provide proof that there were native that lived in the region. Here flint and obsidian were worked by the Indians to produce arrowheads, scrapers and other tools.

Currently, these deposits are under study, so it is important not to remove any of the fossils or artifacts.

Despite repeated warnings of this kind, many of the fossil deposits of Cerro Avanzado still are depleted by visitors, unaware of the damage they are causing.

The sea lions especially, because of their shore-living habits in the mating season, are vulnerable to human caused environmental pollution of the sea and the noise contamination produced by the busy plying of the motorboats.

Please remember that you must not pick up any item you find in these cultural sites, because this will interfere with the work of the specialists.

On your return to Puerto Madryn, by the same road, you can stop at these gulf beaches: Playa del Pozo, Playa Paraná, Punta Este and Playa Kaiser. This is a perfect circuit for mountain bike fans.

OTHER RESERVES

Punta Delgada
This is a walrus colony resting on the southern tip of the peninsula: the last reserve you will visit. It possesses food and lodging facilities.

Here you can watch the fauna, after paying for the services of a guide, although access to the reserve is supposed to be limited to agencies and tourists staying overnight at the hotel. There is no wildlife ranger here.

The attractions offered are horse riding, mini-trekking, a restaurant, sale of souvenirs and excursions in range-rover vehicles.

If your aim is to soak up the peace and beauty of your surroundings, another option is to stay overnight on the farms of the peninsula (five, in all).

You return to Punta Pirámides and from there, again by National Route Nº 3 to Puerto Madryn.