Day 17: Passes, Vistas, and the Small Town of Cochrane

There seems to be something special and magical about each ride we have taken along the Carretera Austral. Today was no exception. We left Green Baker Lodge relatively early, knowing we had a challenging ride ahead that included two high passes.

We rode alongside the Rio Bravo for the first few miles before starting the first major climb. As we ascended and looked back, we could see the confluence of the Rio Baker and Rio Neff. The view was stunning, with the unique colors of each river merging against the backdrop of high mountain peaks. This famous spot along the Carretera Austral is known as The Confluence and was just the first of many spectacular vistas of the river valley below.

The initial climb was quite rough due to the steep gradient and ongoing road work. However, as we descended, we spotted the road that would take us up the second pass. The ascent looked daunting—steep enough to seemingly lead us into the clouds above. The good news was that this section was paved, sparing us from the dust kicked up by passing cars and trucks.

Although the climb was steep and slow, it offered incredible panoramic views and passed directly by the entrance to Patagonia National Park. Once we reached the pass, we descended into Cochrane, the last full-service town along the Carretera. From above, it looks like an oasis town built in the middle of nowhere. It is well known as one of the gateways to Patagonia National Park. Interestingly, the town was settled in 1953 and did not have automobile access until the Carretera reached it in 1988. Here, we are spending the night and planning the final southern leg of our tour.