Leaving the dining pavilion, we walked past the fruit tree orchard, past the manager’s home, and through the coffee plantation and coconut trees to the start of the jungle trail. The foot path was about 3 feet wide in most places, with the jungle clearing about 3 more feet on either side. The trails were well marked, and after having past the sign for the "Bike" trail and "Bird" trail, we found ourselves on the trail to the "Summit."

The trail zigzags up the side of the mountain, with dense jungle on both sides and the sounds of birds all around. Occasionally, we came to clearings with inspiring views of the Macal River below and jungle and cliffs soaring 800 feet up the other side of the canyon. After 45 minutes of hiking, we arrive at the "summit."

There was 360 degrees of jungle, mountain tops, cliffs, valleys, and even a Mayan Ruin in the distance! It was well worth it in itself! But the most amazing thing was that Steve and I got a chance to see an orange-breasted falcon! What a beautiful bird! It made our day!

Wim and Chantal, the managers at Black Rock Lodge, told us that the pair of orange-breasted falcons had been breeding there for a couple years now. They also told us of a pair of white hawks that live across the canyon. Unfortunately, we did get a chance to see them.

After the Summit, we followed a sign that stated simply "Vista Loop." Wow! I cannot describe the sight adequately. To look down from about 800 feet on a 30-foot falls (Vaca Falls) makes it look so tiny!