Starting at the base of the full Salktanty Trek in Mollepata and traversing the trail across Salkanty pass down into Aguas Calientes. We detoured to Lake Humantay which added two miles (1 each one way) and about 1000 feet in vert. While it does add time, distance, and vert, we highly recommend adding this section for once in a lifetime vista!
Due to mudslides later in the trail (after passing Abra Salkanty) we took the road for about ten miles, other runners may be able to stick to the single track once the trail is cleaned up.
This is a gorgeous route but not for the faint of heart, with a high point of over 15,000 feet it was a full adventure day! Be prepared to deal with lots of dogs. Most are friendly, but a few made us nervous. We just slowed to a walk, kept our attention ahead, and banged our trekking poles as needed. Pretty abundant water sources, especially coming down the backside of Salkanty, views for days, and incredibly friendly people in the small towns we passed made this one heck of a trek!
