ST36497

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Fla. reg# ST36497
 

Mountain Pine Ridge National Park - Day Trip

Rio On Pools

One of many Great Stop in the Park.

By 4 Wheel Drive Rental Car
OR
By Guided Tour

The 300 square mile Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve is reached via the Georgeville turnoff at mile 65 of the Western Highway. After wending your way through miles of tropical jungle, you suddenly find yourself in a forest of tall, thin pine trees growing out of sandy dirt grasses and wildflowers. The Mt Pine Ride ecosystem is found nowhere else in Central America. Cool air, many birds, large numbers of butterflies. The area has many sections of whitewater rivers, waterfalls, and cave systems.

Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve
Rio On Pools, Rio Frio Caves, Caracol and more

Your Mountain Pine Ridge day generally should include Rio Frio Cave, Rio On Pools (SHOWN ABOVE) and either Thousand Foot Falls, or Caracol, the largest Maya site in Belize, or a Mennonite Village.

Rio Frio Cave, Do bring a flashlight if you want to go all the way through. On the other side look for a well maintained nature trail which leads to another cave, Cuevas Gemelas. Other caves nearby.

Rio Frio Cave's 65' arched entryways leave you in awe. Openings at both ends makes flashlights unnecessary for viewing the cave's formations. A stream flows through the cave forming pools & falls. There's a large beach area surrounded by room size boulders. Everything is big in this cave!. It's a 1/4 mile through to the exit, another impressive opening.

Thousand-Foot Falls, is a routine stop on many tours. It is believed to be the highest waterfall in Central America and is actually over 1,500 ft to the bottom. A viewing platform overlooks the falls. There is a short scenic trail around the escarpment for taking in the valley view.

Caracol: the most extensive Maya, site known in Belize, 30 sq. miles of thick, high canopy forest. It comprises a Classic period complex: many pyramids, 5 plazas, an astronomical observatory. Estimates are 180,000 people lived in the area at the city-state's peak, 700AD. Over 35,000 buildings have been identified, highest pyramid 139' high.

Rio On Pools are a continuous series of pools formed by large granite boulders. Many
of the pools are connected by small waterfalls. The smooth surface of the boulders make
natural water slides and a great place for a swim or a hike. Hidden Valley Falls, also known as 1000-foot Falls.

Along the Way Barton Creek Cave access is through a picturesque Mennonite farm community.

Barton Creek Cave

Pottery and Skeletal Remains

Mennonite Horse and Buggy

Big Rock and Five Sisters Falls are locate




" d within a short distance of each other. The falls are located at Five Sister's Lodge (small admission fee to swim). Big Rock is more off the beaten path.

Laughing Jaw and several other caves are located nearby. The trails are marked and you
can explore them on your own, or with a guide.

Green Hills Butterfly Ranch research center and Botanical Collection. There are more than 25 species of butterflies on display in the breeding facility and landscaped flight area.

Maya Art Museum has slate stone carvings made by the Garcia Sisters on display .

Geography of the Reserve

Think Colorado or Georgia Pine Forests! Then surround it with a Semi-Tropical Rainforest. Some theorize this out-of-place ecosystem is the remnants of a volcanic island that long ago collided with the mainland. This unusual pine forest covers nearly 300 square miles of unpaved roads and nature trails. The karst limestone terrain is especially suited for hiking, biking, horseback riding and caves.

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