Although we did not take the long walk, the short walk shared part of the same trail (the red line to the right on the sign) and then back along the top line to the biological station.

A huge leaf (almost a meter long) bordered the tail.

A view of the stairway trail that led up the side of the volcano to one of its rims.

One of several wild orchids observed growing wild alongside the trail.

From the top of the volcano, the Isletas of Lake Nicaragua could be seen in almost their full splendor.

The guide showed the map to both our group who took the short walk, and to the to men standing, who were about to embark on the long walk.

The entrance to the long path was marked with signs that warned in both English and Spanish to, "Do not enter the Puma trail without a Guide."

A spider web by a platform used for taking in the view was covered in afternoon dew from the fog that was present at that altitude.

Along one part of the trail, a gentle staircase led up through denser jungle as we gained altitude and reentered the cloud forest.

Along part of the trail where it crossed a tiny stream, these blue colored berries grew on a low bush near the water. The guide picked them up using a leaf to show them to us. They were so toxic that even just touching them was dangerous. They had been so well hidden that when the guide put them back we couldn't see them, even when bent close to look.

A small orchid that grew just off the trail. The guide had to lead a few of the group into a tight grove so that we could see and photograph it.

A grasshopper hid down inside a leafy plant. For the casual passer-by, this grasshopper would have been invisible.