While I was writing yesterday's post about Mexico's highest mountain, Pico de Orizaba, Alejandro sent me a photo of yet another volcanic peak in Mexico, Nevado de Toluca. You may remember that Alejandro has a mountain climber friend who takes tourists on climbing expeditions. He often sends Alejandro photos of the mountains. This is the one he took yesterday, shot from the top of Nevado de Toluca and looking down into its crater.
With an elevation of over 15,000 feet, Nevado de Toluca is the fourth highest peak in Mexico. It is located 50 miles to the west of Mexico City near the city of Toluca. On the floor of the crater there are two lakes, the Lake of the Sun and the Lake of the Moon. In the center of the photo above you can see the Lake of the Moon. The other lake is hidden by a hill know as "El Ombligo" (The Navel). The Navel is a volcanic plug which filled the vent after the mountain's last eruption more than 10,000 years ago.
You used to be able to go into the crater with a four-wheel drive vehicle. Many, many years ago, when I visiting the family of an exchange student, we drove into the crater and right up to the lakes. Unfortunately, I no longer have those photos. That road is now gated, and you have to hike more than a mile down into crater.
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