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Day 7: The climax - Boiling Lake! |
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Day 7: The climax - Boiling Lake! |
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Dominica's famous Boiling Lake, located in the Morne Trois Pitons National Park, was our final trip and the climax of our week in Dominica. The hike to the lake, reputed to be a major test of endurance, turned out to be less of a challenge than we had anticipated. Perhaps we were helped by the solemn prayer and invocation delivered by Eurico Jardim before we set out! In any event, all the members who attempted the trip succeeded in reaching the lake. The trail to the Boiling Lake starts at Titou Gorge, itself a major attraction. It is similar to Trinidad's Guanapo Gorge, but the depth of the water is greater and it is much more difficult to swim through. An interesting fact is that below the Gorge the entire flow of the river is channeled into a large pipeline which, along with a supply from the Freshwater Lake, feeds the island's hydro-electric power generating system. |
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The Valley of Desolation
The trail to the Boiling Lake passes through this area of geothermal activity. Bromeliads like the one in the foreground are among the few plants surviving near the active vents. |
| Hot streams in the Valley
of Desolation
White and black streams, coloured by different minerals, converge at the lower end of the valley. |
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Hot mineralized water issuing from geothermal vents leaves multicoloured deposits on the rocks. |
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A hot pool to soothe tired muscles before the long trek home. |
At the Lake
Members celebrate their arrival at the Boiling Lake That's steam behind them, not mist! (Photo: Selwyn Gomes) |
General view of the lake The actively boiling area at the centre is visible through the clouds of steam. |
(Photo: Selwyn Gomes) |
The lake
edge
Two small streams empty into the lake at this point. |
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