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Valleys Of D Northern Range

Tue, 2011-05-10 06:24 | by admin
In 1797, when the British captured Trinidad from the Spanish they invited French farmers to set up sugar and cocoa estates.The cool valleys of the Northern Range produced grade A cocoa and Trinidad's cocoa was high in demand.Forest trails were constructed to transport the agriculture produce between the various mountains and valleys of the Northern Range..These forest roads known as bench trails have survived the rugged elements of nature and are still used by farmers, hunters and explorers .
The hike described as“The Valleys Of The Northern Range" is an exploration that begins at the Guanapo Quarry and ends at the Spring Bridge in Blanchisseuse.The twenty mile distance will take the average fit hiker six to eight hours to complete and there are four major mountain ridges to cross the highest elevation is 2200feet.

 

Valley  1 : Guanapo Valley to Lalaja (1 ½ hours).Heading north the journey begins with a forest walk along side the Guanapo River.There is an old road sign at the base of the river that says Sambasson Trace,this leads to  a steep ascent through a citrus and mango estate to the Lalaja Road.The elevation at this point  is 1900 feet (580m) and  picturesque views of  the Guanapo Valley are visible in the distance.

Valley 2: Lalaja to Brasso Seco (1 ½ hours ).From Lalaja Road turn left into the Lalaja Paria Trace that leads to the top of the ridge(2200feet). The crest is a major cross road  that connects Lalaja and Brasso Seco valleys .There is a distinct trails on the right that leads to the highest peak  El Cerro Del Aripo (3085ft) continue left on the main path that descends into Brasso Seco Village.

Valley 3: Brasso Seco to Paria Bay (3hours).From The Brasso Seco Visitors Centre proceed north-east on the Paria Morne Bleu Road  to Paria Bay.The  distance to Paria Beach is eight miles through mainly mora forest..

Valley 4: Paria Bay To Blanchisseuse (2hours).From The Cathedral Rock in Paria take the ever-popular coastal trail to the Spring Bridge in Blanchisseuse . 

Assembly: Sat 12th May'12 at 6.00am Eric Williams Medical Complex Mt Hope.where the vehicles will be parked

Rating :8 very difficult for experience hikers only .

Estimate hiking time 6-8 hours to reach Blanchisseuse

 Pre- registration required for maxi transport to Heights of Guanapo and return transport from Blanchisseuse .
Total Cost for maxi $80.00 and hike $40.00 =$120.00 .
To book transport contact or text  Mario 749-2956 
 
last year top 3 finishers of Valleys of the Northern Range 2011 were
1.  Aamon Percy 5 hours 35 mins  
2. Khallid Pile 5 hours 37 mins and 
3. Curtis Forde :5 hours 40 mins