McKenna on the Inca Trail and the Sun Gate

McKenna on the Inca Trail and the Sun Gate

http://kidsblogs.nationalgeographic.com/handsonexplorer/2009/07/mckenna-on-the-inca-trail-and-the-sun-gate.htmlPosted By2009 Kids Expedition Team
Hey, everyone! It's McKenna again, with one last blog about a memorable moment in Peru. I'd like to take you back to "The City in the Clouds" for a quick visit to a special spot nestled in a narrow notch on a mountaintop overlooking Machu Picchu.After exploring and shooting pictures for hours in the marvelous ruins of "The Lost City of the Incas," and after eating a quick buffet lunch at the Machu Picchu restaurant, many members of the expedition, including myself, decided to take on the challenge of a 45 minute hike about a mile up the Inca Trail, a long, twisting, ancient stone path made and used by the Incas. Our destination? The Incan Sun Gate. The length of the trail we traversed curves up the side of the mountain and overlooks the grand city of Machu Picchu. It was an amazing experience. We had to keep reminding ourselves that we were walking on the same stones the Incas used to trek. But, overall, the trek wasn't all that easy.The stones of the trail are jagged and serrated, and one misstep at certain places could have caused us to tumble down the steep precipice of the soaring mountain. YIKES! At 8,000 plus feet in the sky, it was sometimes tough to get the oxygen we needed to climb without breathing pretty hard at times. And, being ever so high in the sky, we had to be on guard to avoid getting sunburned. We were told that, at that height, even if it doesn't feel like you are getting sun, if you aren't careful to wear sunscreen or cover up, you are likely to get sunburned--even on the tops of your hands!Some of us moved quickly up the side of the mountain, while others took their time and trekked at a snail's pace. If the Incas could trek up the trail nearly every day in their Inca-style sandals, then surely Team Peru could do it just this once in our rugged hiking shoes! We used our determination to our full advantage to give us a greatly needed boost of energy. It was a slow-but-steady incline to the top, but as they say, "slow and steady wins the race!" I think the few of us who trudged leisurely up the Inca Trail had the most energy when we reached our destination. No matter the pace we chose to traverse the twisting trail, we were all determined to reach the Sun Gate, located far above the ruins of Machu Picchu. It is the first point on the Inca Trail from which hikers (who have made the three- to four-day-long trek on the Inca Trail from the bottom of the mountain all the way to Machu Picchu) get their first glimpse of "The Lost City." It is also said that this "gate of stone" was supposedly used by the Incas to control the entrance of outsiders into their sacred city at the lower end of the Inca Trail.The sun was setting rapidly, stretching beams of bright-colored vitality across the yawning cloud-dappled sky. They say that the best time to be at the Sun Gate is during dawn or dusk, when the sun is rising or setting. That's when hikers are able to get the most stunning views of Machu Picchu, the Urubamba River snaking its way below, and the endless mountain peaks stretching into the clouds above. Hikers rise bright and early to catch a glimpse of this postcard panoramic.Finally, after nearly an hour or more of hiking--or, to put it more accurately for most of us, "stumbling"--up the Inca Trail, we reached the Sun Gate! Like Machu Picchu, the Sun Gate was a spectacular sight, built with stones cut in perfect configuration. No rain water, or even the late afternoon breeze, could seep between the stones. The Sun Gate is just another manifestation of the intelligence and ingenuity of the Incas. Their intellect marked in the stone masterpieces of Machu Picchu, the Sun Gate, and other temples and structures, is absolutely awe-inspiring. The strenuous trek up the Inca Trail was definitely worth the sight of the Sun Gate. From where we stood, in one panoramic view we could see the 14 switchbacks that carry buses of visitors up the mountainside, slices of the Inca trail, and Machu Picchu, looking like a miniature model far below the Sun Gate. I'm glad we didn't give up when the going got tough, because this was a sight not to be missed!As we stood on the many jagged stones and terraces of the ruins of the Sun Gate, we all peered anxiously at the soaring mountains reaching for the heavens all around us, and the valley below, with the Urubamba river flowing over rock and mud, and Machu Picchu sitting peacefully on a outreached ridge. And then it happened. The light started shifting as the sun moved farther across the sky and ever so slowly started sweeping the day closer to dusk. Streaming, glistening rays from the sun stretched from the deep, murky sky above onto Machu Picchu, spotlighting the city's features as if the Incas themselves were shining a light onto their beloved city, yet again revealing its true beauty to the modern world. It was an unbelievable sight, sending chills down our spines as we watched in silent wonder. It was an amazing moment.Since our trip, I have thought about that and other such moments a million times. It was hard to leave Peru and the adventure behind. I find myself missing my new friends--the other winners, the parents, the people from National Geographic, and the people from Peru--and missing that beautiful country almost every day.But when I get sad that the adventure is over, it helps to remember a quote our tour guide, Mr. Edgar, shared with us when we were all together."Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."

Michael-The Machu Picchu is a beautiful place to go. It is in Peru. It is a lost city from long time ago. But someone discover it. Machu Picchu is very high. It is about eight thousand feet above the sea level. Sometimes you will even think it is hard to breathe up there. The Machu Picchu was a place that ancient people lived. It is also a good place to take a trip and see what they use in the ancient city. Maybe someday I can go there and climb up the mountains to see Machu Picchu.