El Picacho – More Information

The name Teotitlán comes from Nahuatl and means “land of the gods”. Its Zapotec name is Xaguixe, which means “at the foot of the mountain”. It is known for its textiles, especially rugs, which are woven on hand-operated looms from wool dyed mainly with local, natural pigments. Most people here retain ancient traditions; a majority of the inhabitants speak Zapotec. The town’s major festival is the Feast of the Precious Blood of Christ which occurs each year on the first Wednesday of July and lasts about a week. The event has carnival rides and a basketball tournament but the main feature is the “Danza de la Pluma” or Feather Dance (called Guyach in Zapotec). The dance commemorates the conquest of the Aztec by the Spanish. The Danza is repeated every December, as well, usually on or about the 12th of the month. 

Time frame: 8:30 depart Llano Park / 9;45 arr Teotitlan & start hike / 11:45 reach summit  / 12:15 begin hike down / 1:30 return to Teotitlan / 2:00 lunch at restaurant in Tule / 3:15 leave Tule / 3:45 return to Oaxaca.

The first map below shows the route from the trailhead to the top of El Picacho and back. Expect the climb to take at least 90 minutes and the return down the hill to take about 75 minutes.  The round-trip distance amounts to 2.9 miles.

This second map shows the route for a much easier hike along the roads that wind upvalley from Teotitlan, eventually reaching the village of Benito Juárez, eleven miles distant and 6,000 feet above the valley floor.  This hike covers 4.2 miles out and back and takes about 75 minutes to accomplish.

Time frame:  9:00 Lending Library / 10:00 arr Teotitlan & start hike / 11:30 reach turnaround point / 12:45 return to Teotitlan / 1:00 visit new community center / 2:00 lunch at restaurant in Tule / 3:00 leave Tule / 3:30 return to Oaxaca.

 

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