Refugio Frey

The Patagonian Andes in Springtime
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  To get to the Refugio frey take the Centro Catedral bus which arrives at 2 locations on F.P. Moreno street:  the first across from the hospital and the 2nd across from the Central Gas station and up the street aprox. 100ft.  The fare is 3.10 pesos (exact change best) one way and takes about 24 minutes to reach the ski resort.  From the ski resort proceed left past the bus stop and past the end of the buildings on your right (the last houses all terrain vehicles) and then take the dirt road up the hill for 100ft, and follow unmarked hiking trail which joins the established trail which is clearly marked with ¨Frey¨ .  The approx. time to hike (4 hours)to the Refugio Frey.  The hiking trail follows the lake below the trail before winding up between the mountains to the refugio.  The trail is moderate with approx. 3000-4000ft elevation gain and although the trail clearly marked, there is clearly not an emphasis on trail maintanence!  Beware of numerous instances of trail erosion, the worst of which takes a huge chunk out of the mountainside and although it is not too hard to get across, this can disorient you from which way the trail goes from there.  A few times there are some drops offs next to an eroded piece of trail as well.  The views once you get to the refugio are well worth the climb! A fire in recent years has left much of the first part of the trail exposed with nice contrasts between spring flowers and burned out trees.  Early December through April the Refugio is open.