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Parks Map
(Stop 07 of 21)
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Go To Parks Map |
Mountain Pine Ridge (Stop 07 of 21) |
| The Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve is a huge 300-square-mile area that features Caribbean Pine and bracken ferns instead of the typical tropical forests and lianas which cover most of the rest of Belize. | ||
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| The area is also dotted with beautiful waterfalls, streams and caves that you can walk through. Along the northern edge of the reserve is the village of San Antonio while along the southern edge sits Augustine, the administrative center of the reserve. |
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The geology of the Mountain Pine Ridge is dominated by massive uplifting of ancient rock. These rocks are among the oldest formations in the Americas. Some geologists theorize that when the entire Central American isthmus was covered by the sea, only the Mountain Pine Ridge region lay exposed as an island. | ||
| The geology of the Mountain Pine Ridge becomes even more apparent when you consider the vegetation. Throughout the reserve, the soils and vegetation form a habitat called "pine ridge". This habitat is characterized by poor soils and dense stands of Caribbean Pine. Where the "pine ridge" meets the rich soils of the tropical forests along the southern boundary, the vegetation changes abruptly from one side of the Macal River to the other. | |||
| Deep within the reserve is a 1000 foot falls, a spectacular ribbon of water which drops from pine forest to tropical forest below. An overlook allows you to see the top part of the falls. Hiking to the falls is extremely dangerous and requires technical mountain climbing skills and a competent guide. |
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| The Rio On is a cascading river which tumbles over some of the oldest rocks in all of the Americas. The water has eroded numerous pools that are perfect for bathing. Most of the pools are connected by small waterfalls that have a massaging effect if you lie underneath them. The water is clear enough to drink. While it is a beautiful place to explore, extreme care must be taken against slipping on the slick rocks. This is especially true after a light rain. | |||
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Just past the administrative center of Augustine, lies the Rio Frio Cave. The huge entrance to the cave is draped by vines and trees. Though there is enough light in the cave to walk from one entrance to the other, it is better to use a flashlight as the rocks within are often slippery and very uneven in places. A stream runs through the cave and both stalagmites and stalactites create a beautiful scene within the cave. This cave is full of bats and is a great introduction to the massive cave systems which pockmark Belize. | ||
| The Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve is not an easy trip. The dirt roads are often rough. It is necessary to carry extra water and food with you in case of a breakdown. Some other hazards include getting lost in the maze of roads, running out of gas (it is a huge reserve), temporary flooding during heavy rainstorms and logging trucks carrying out the pine. There are numerous resorts in the area for overnight excursions. | |||
 
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