Quebrada del Condorito National Park 3.29

Quebrada del Condorito National Park is a federal protected area in Córdoba Province, Argentina. Established on 28 November 1996, it houses a representative sample of the Sierras Pampeanas biodiversity in endangered state of conservation. It has an area of 37344haHistoryThousands of years ago members of the archaeologically-missing Ayampitín Culture frequented these uplands, establishing temporary camps for hunting guanaco, pampas deer and the large mammals once abundant here.When the Spaniards arrived in the sixteenth century, the Comechingones inhabited the region.DescriptionAlthough located near the city of Cordoba and tourist towns like Villa Carlos Paz, Alta Gracia, Tanti, Mina Clavero, etc., the territory of the park has remained scenically pristine due to its inaccessibility. Extensive ranching, however, has been practiced since colonial times, resulting in intense erosion to the vegetation cover due to cattle trampling on the sandy, steep-sloped soil.The boundaries of the park are: North: the new road, the Camino de las Altas Cumbres.West: the private properties bordering the high summits of Achala (Paso de las Piedras, La Trinidad, La Atalaya)South: the headwaters of the Yatán River.East: the private properties limiting with the height level (El Bosque, El Condorito, San Miguel) The climate in the area is mountain temperate, becoming increasingly colder with height, and with a marked temperature difference between day and night and between summer and winter. During the winter (May to early August), snowfall is rather common. Another characteristic phenomenon is the frequent lightning strikes at the higher elevations.