Malinche National Park :: Mexico

La Malinche is Mexico’s fifth-highest peak at 14,636 feet, some 20 miles north of Puebla.  The summit is higher than any peak in the contiguous United States.  Many climbers use La Malinche as an acclimatization hike for other higher altitude volcanos nearby. like Ixta  and Pico de Orizaba (18,400) which is the highest mountain in Mexico. 

La Malinche, which was the name of the conquistador Hernan de Cortes’ mistress,  requires 4 or 5 hours for a summit.  The hike is about 5 miles and 4,000 feet gain. Matacoula, the goddess of rain, might well be the real name of the mountain. La Malinche being a corruption or derivation of the ancient name.

Many climbers camp in the La Malinche National Park recreation area.  The park also rents brick and stucco cabanas / cabins that sleep 6 or 9 people with prices depending on the season or size of the cabana.  Setting up a low-fee campsite the afternoon before the climb and sleeping at the park enables a 4:30 or 5 a.m. start for the hike.  Campers and cabana guests should bring appropriate clothing and sleeping bags for very cold nights.  The recreation area includes basketball courts, souvenir shops, a restaurant and rustic conference facilities.

During rainy season, the air cools down fast and washout creates potential safety hazards.

There are gullies cut alongside hiking path to allow for water runoff, but experienced hikers wait until dry season (Nov-March) for mountain excursions.   he mountain below the tree-line is densely covered with eucalyptus, conifers and dense rather attractive undergrowth.  Birds sing tantalizing melodies overhead but they stay out of sight.

At one time, glaciers covered the peak.  Now, the volcano appears to be mostly green, though there is a barren zone above 4,000 meters.  Climate change has erased the ice cap at the top for the most part.  The terrain around the base is sandy soil, corn fields, pink and purple wild flowers that might be Coreopsis family.

Directions to La Malinche.

From La Capital (Mexico City), take the "Cuenta" (toll road)  (Rt. #1500  towards Puebla. For a break, stop at Restaurant Rio Frio or Panorama Restaurant on the right.

Take the right hand turnoff towards Tlaxcala.  Continue towards signs indicating Apizaco/Veracruz (Rt. #117). Continue on the Rt. #136 towards Veracruz.
 Turn right at exit direction towards Huamantla. (near an “Acerocarbon” factory). Drive some kms more,  pass “El Tigre” sign on left side of road. Malinche volcano appears on right during this part of journey. The "Milintzi” sign indicates entry to park.

Other towns around the perimeter that appear to lead to paths:  San Juan Ixtenco, San Pablo del Monte, Trinidad Sanchez Santos, San Miguel Canoa.

Alternate route, in direction of San Miguel, go past ruins of a huge hacienda.  Sign “Tampico Restaurant Bar”.  This is a good area for sketching or painting views of Malinche.

Resources:

http://www.imss.gob.mx/servicios/centros-vacacionales/malintzi