Ascent to San Juan Summit

Type: Interesting

Description:
We drive along the road (A-4130) through the town of Valor, about halfway, we find a trail sign at the start of a fairly steep hill, next to Restaurante El Puente de Valor at the corner. We start climbing with the car on this road with very few asphalted kilometers, soon it becomes the forest track leading to the sierra. As we climb, the barranco stays on our left gaining depth as we gain height. We pass by cortijo Fuente del Espino and Alameda del Pozanco. We reach about 1,600 m altitude and find intermittent snow on the track. We continue less than a kilometer and the snow turns to ice, so we turn back and leave the car on the track at about 1,650 m. The day was somewhat grayish, though sometimes clouds cleared to the south revealing beautiful blue sky. We prepare and start the route ascending directly on the track, in some sections we shortcut straight uphill. Following the small paths that many have used until rejoining the track to avoid tiring switchbacks. The sierra summits were cloud-covered and the wind brought powder snow. We reach about 1830 m altitude and 14 km from Valor, passing between two large boulders serving as imaginary gate, we are on the ridge, here the track forks: right (east) to Cortijuelo Fuente del Espino (2 km on track) and straight north crossing Río Valor continuing to Loma del Lastonar (15 km) west. This track in this spot also serves as boundary between Sierra Nevada National Park and Natural Park. We walk 200 m on the track to fuente Piedra del Gitano, two good jets of water flowing, but spectacularly everything around frozen forming an impressive ice organ with icicles. We continue on the snow-covered track beside bare roadside trees; cross Río Valor on its stone bridge to cortijo de la Sacristía. From here we ascend intermittent snow, sun appearing occasionally. Initially on old Puerto del Lobo path but as snow increases we follow animal tracks for easier walking. Gaining height north following Río Valor line. Cross barranco de Río Chico finding a shepherds' fold in rocks beside it. The barranco offers pretty view with snowy borreguiles and many icicles hanging from plants and rocks. At good pace we follow reaching acequia de Barularto. The acequia leads directly to Río Valor bed surpassing 2100 m. Summits remain covered in threatening black clouds, we decide to abort San Juan ascent. Reach end of acequia Barularto, cross river and ascend among pines 75 m height to loma de San Juan (between Río Valor and Río Nechite). Reach loma at 2130 m with beautiful panorama like Christmas postcard. Descend ridge crest passing vertices 2153 m, 2147 m, 2156 m; link to track up loma del Monte and firebreak crossing to Sulayr (about 1900 m) at peñón de la Loma. Following GR-240 leave firebreak descending to Río Valor. First section on track then path. Cross small wooden bridge over acequia descend path shortly to track. Walk 200 m to the two rocks from before serving again as gate. Retrace steps to car. On this last section sky very overcast with small snowflakes not settling. By experience we prefer to leave for another day as mountain won't move. Clear we go to mountains to enjoy not risk. Bad weather can cause various problems.

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Video length: 03:28