The Impossible National Park
The Impossible National Park is a national park in El Salvador. It was created on January 1, 1989 and covers an area of 5,000 hectares. It has an altitude of between 250 and 1,425 metres.
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| One of the entrances to the Park. |
The Impossible is the largest national park of El Salvador, is located in the Pacific coastal elevations of Ahuachapán, between the municipalities of San Francisco Menéndez and Tacuba, south-west of the "Ruta de las Flores"(the flowers route).This protected area is considered the most important natural relic of the country, as a globally threatened (tropical dry forest and dry tropical montane) ecosystem, but also for being one of the last refuges for an incredibly diverse wildlife community, source of water for the area and owner of scenic beauty for sustainable tourism development.
History of The Imposible
The altitude range and rugged topography have endowed "The Impossible" with an exceptional beauty. According to history, at the beginning of the 20th century, coffee farmers transported their coffee by mule-train from the farms notrh of the park, especially Tacuba, to the port of Acajutla, using a trail that traversed the "Hacienda El Imposible". But there was a ravine between two mountains interrupted step and this step to save travelers placed tree trunks for the mules walked. In many case, animals and people slipped and fell off the cliff.
In 1968, the government constructed a bridge at The Impossible pass, opening up transportation from Tacuba to Cara Sucia. To celebrate the event, they left a plaque which says, "The year 1968, was no longer impossible".
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| Opening of the bridge |
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| Bridge in The Impossible |
Archaeology in The Impossible.
Scientific studies claim that "The Impossible" contains prehispanic settlements. Proof of this is that the forest has eight pre-Hispanic archaeological sites from various Prehispanic periods, and does not rule out the existence of more sites in the area, which could be discovered in the coming years can not discarded, that could be discovered in the coming years.
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| Archaeological site "Sealed Stone" in The Impossible. |
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| Sealed Stone |
Sealed Stone in The Impossible.
In the museum of The Impossible can also be seen reproduction of a part of the a huge rock petroglyphs called "The Sealed Stone".
After the interminable descent to the botton of the gorge of river Guayapa, we find an important basalt block party in two and whose height exceeds ten metres. An approximately flat face of the huge rock shows enigmatic engravings.
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| Sealed Stone |
Although the Sealed Stone is known for decades by locals, the side was officially registered only in 1996 by archaeologist Paul Amaroli.
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| Paul Amaroli in Sealed Stone/Salvanatura picture. |
In rock, the 110 prints identified cover a field of 4.40 metres long and 1.55 metres high. Degree of deterioration is noticeable because of the weather. However, the authorities put a barrier to prevent visitors alter the rock. The reasons set out in the stone are more abstract part, But it could recognize at least two butterflies (an animal that several Mesoamerican cultures associated with the souls of dead warriors and the sun). A set of concentric circles (a frecuent theme in world rock art) has become the symbol of the site.
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| Other view of Sealed Stone/Salvanatura picture |
Currently the only archaeological site open to the public. (possibly belonging to the Late Classic Period, AD 600-900) is located 5km from the Visitor Center Mixtepe Sector San Benito. It is likely that the stone is apparent from the high cliffs that rise above the river canyon, and could have a mythical, magical or created art for such rock demostration that meaning.
You may notice that some petroglyphs place still underground, archaeologists inviting further research. Moreover, to better understand an ancient monument, it is necessary to relate it to other traces.
Site is located near the site of Cerro de la Olla, where are evidence of a remarkable Postclassic occupation (900-1524 A.D.).
Rivers in The Impossible
The rivers of "El Imposible" are source of water for life and economic activities in nearby communities (agriculture, fisheries, livestock and tourism). The forest acts as an absorbent sponge that maintains optimum flow, even in the dry season, so you can say that "El Imposible" provides environmental services to generate life outside their own physical limits.
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| San Francisco Menendez River in The Impossible National Park. |
These rivers are: San Francisco Menéndez, El corozo, Jencho, Mixtepe, Maishtapula, Izcanal, Ahuachapío, and Guayapa, up, one kilometer outside the park, to the El Naranjo river. The San Francisco Menéndez not born into El Impossible, but most of their wealth is in it.
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| Ahuachapío River |
The soil of these rivers suffer quite tectonic movement, allowing you to see fractured rocks, walls, beds with abrupt changes in direction and slope falls adventure, streams and pools of clear water, ideal for adventure tourism.
If you are interested in conducting research on the archeology of the park, contact with the Natural areas direction SalvaNATURA.
Flora and fauna
With more than 1,000 species of plants, 500 of diurnal butterflies, 282 of birds, 103 of mammals, and 53 species of amphibians and reptiles, El Imposible boasts the largest biodiversity in the country. The park is home to species which are only found in El Salvador, like the "guaquito de tierra", to have healing properties for stomach ailments. Many species are threatened or endangered at national level, such as Puma, black crested Eagle, Pajuil, Collared Peccary, Tepemechin, Ocelot, white eagle, momoto dwarf and toledo among others.
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| Guaquito de tierra (Aristolochia salvadorensis). |
El Imposible retains most diverse flora and fauna of El Salvador. It features new tree species for science and wildlife, specifically birds and butterflies. It is the last refuge of animals that are endangered in the country.
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| Rey zope (Sarcoramphus papa). |
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| Pajuil. (Crax rubra) |
Tourism in El Imposible
The Impossible receives over 8,000 tourists a year who visit these 5.000 hectares of forest are under 25 ranger and shown by a team of 20 local tour guides. Tourist seeking adventure not found anywhere else in the country. The steep topography of El Imposible definitely becomes an opportunity for extreme hiking tours and take great pictures.
The walks take place between the lower slopes and steep slopes, watching from below the suspended rocks, leaving aside the cliffs and rivers, running and falling into flat strips surprise hollows, at a warn temperature that restores health and tests physical activity of your visitors.
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| Viewpoint "El Pedredon" |
What does El Imposible?
Extreme hiking between rough and broken terrain made travel an adventure. The trails lead to viewpoints of the hills La Leona, El Pulguero, La Piedra Calada, and also to the sources of the rivers with icy cool waters.
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| Swimming in El Imposible. |
The park has three campgrounds, one with picnic tables and roofs to shelter from rains that are common in the forest or even an area to raise your tent and make a campfire at dusk.
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| Camping El Imposible. |
Exist various routes for tours, the first and the closest viewpoint that leads to "El Mulo", at a height of 850 meters above sea level, making the journey in about two hours walk.
But there are also more adventurous tours for up to 4 hours of walking, they are worth it, because when you reach the top of the hill La Leona, the 5000 hectares of forest are observed, to the port of Acajutla.
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