North of Mendoza and one hundred kilometers into the deserts of San Juan province. The isolated and touristic town of Barreal. Nearby is an ancient lake, which is now white mud flats of El Leoncito National Park.
Piedras Grandes at 3550m is the last stop before the high peaks.
The Las Veguitas meadows. In the summer very green and a popular valley to tent before hiking the region. The entire Cordon del Plata is important for acclimatization and training by providing accessible 4000-5900 meter peaks.