El Yunque (Puerto Rico)

This article refers to the mountain. For information on the national forest, see El Yunque National Forest.

Pico El Yunque
El Yunque peak
Highest point
Elevation	1,080 m (3,540 ft)
Coordinates	18°18′38″N 65°47′29″W
Geography
Pico El Yunque Río Grande, Puerto Rico
Parent range	Sierra de Luquillo
Climbing
Easiest route	Hike

Pico El Yunque or El Yunque Peak is a mountain that is located fully within the boundaries of the El Yunque National Forest, part of the U.S. Forest Service, which is the only tropical rainforest that belongs to the U.S. Forest Service. The peak itself is one of the highest in Puerto Rico, standing at 1,080 metres (3,540 feet) above sea level. The peak is nearly always covered in thin mist and, due to its high humidity, a quick shower develops during some afternoons. "El Yunque" is the biggest rainforest in the Caribbean. As part of El Yunque there are a few rivers like El Espiritu Santo. It takes almost 4 and a half hours walking to get from Minas Falls to "El Pico".

Morning mist in El Yunque rainforest by El Yunque peak

Its name is Spanish for "The Anvil".

Neighboring Peaks

• Cerro de Punta - 1,338 metres (4,390 feet)
• Toro Negro - 1,074 m (3,524 ft)
• Pico Del Oeste - 1,056 m (3,465 ft)
• El Cacique - 1,020 m (3,350 ft)
• Mount Briton - 937 m (3,074 ft)
• La Mina de Pantalones - 931 m (3,054 ft)

Climate

El Yunque view from Yokahu Tower on a clear day

El Yunque is classified as having a tropical rainforest climate, Köppen climate type 'Af', along with surrounding areas. The average temperature of the park is 21 °C, and seasonal variation virtually nonexistent. The rugged area can receive over 200 inches (5080 millimeters) of annual rainfall and is the rainiest of all US national forests.

See also

• El Yunque National Forest