Point 1 Tepexilotla Center

The start of the route is located in the centre of Tepexilotla at an elevation 1 483 msnm (Table 1). People preserve and cultivate the orchids collected from BMM. Orchids in backyards as Brassia verrucosa and Stanhopea oculata in guava trees (Psidium guava L.) and Lycaste deppei (Figure 3), Oncidium stenoglossum (Figure 3, are housed right), Isochilus major and Lycaste aromatica in marangola trees (Clethra Mexican A. DC.) in bloom.

Figure 3 Orchids in bloom: Lycaste deppei (Left) and Oncidium stenoglossum (right). 

In the interpretive hiking, we identified floristic assessment sites where several species of orchids and bromeliads were found (Table 2). From this point on the right bank of the river there is a path with poplar trees (Platanus mexican Moric., 1837), tlanepas (Piper spp.) and tree ferns (Nephelea mexicana). We can hear the song of the boat-billed flycatcher bird (Megarynchus pitangua), brown-backed solitaire bird (Myadestes occidentalis) and the bearded wood partridge (Dendrortyx barbatus) and appreciate their majestic colorful plumages.

Point 2. Old tejocotes zone

This point is located in the first 400 m (Table 1). The orchids that can be observed are Epidendrum conopseum, Campylocentrum schiedei, Oncidium cavendishianum, Leochilus carinatus, Dichaea pendulous, and Epidendrum melistagum, Brassia verrucosa. There are also two very striking bromeliads, pink (Tillandsia lucida) (Figure 4, right) and purple (Tillandsia aeranthos) at flowering stage during May. Orchids can be found in alder trees (Alnus acuminata Kunth), walnut (Juglans regia L.), cherimoya (Annona cherimola) and hawthorn (Crataegus spp.). In the tree-tops we can see the boat-billed flycatcher bird (Megarynchus pitangua) as well.

Figure 4 Point 2 road (left) and bromeliad Tillandsia lucida (right). 

Over the river-stone path and sand, at the ford it goes to the left on a path of volcanic sandy soil where we can watch horsetail (Equisetum sp.), various ferns (N. mexicana), and a beautiful pink datura (Brugmansia candida). We can also find Psilotum nudum L., a primitive vascular plant, orchid Elleanthus capitatus, lemongrass bushes, and the wild orchid Epidendrum paniculatum (Table 2). Then reaching a stream of clear water where a cash crop of lemongrass (Choisya ternata) is appreciated. On a walnut we can see a Licopodium spp. Epiphyte, a plant evolutionary importance and a pelican. This leads to the next point (Figure 4, left).

Point 3. Bridge of Carrizal

After 700 m (Table 2) and the boundary between Tepexilotla and Rosa Blanca. On the banks of the river there are poplar trees (Platanus mexicana) and a trunk of aspen crossed on Metlac River (Figure 5). In living trees tejocote, the orchids Dichaea pendulous and Coelia macrostachya (Figure 5) and on the floor Crocosmia crocosmiiflora, Lantana camera and shrubs of the genus Buxus. In this area we can hear the song of the Flycatcher bird (Sayornis nigricans).

Figure 5 Carrizal Bridge (left) and orchid Coelia macrostachya (right). 

Following the tour is a stream with watercress and water lily indicating that the water is clean. An area under cultivation of maize and coffee (Coffea arabica), besides Alcatraz, a culture of lemongrass and many tree ferns.

Point 4. Guava zone

The site is 800 m from point 3 (Table 1). The soil is clay and we can see the yellow orchid guava (Leochilus carinatus).Along the way there are several poplar trees, an open field suitable for camping (Figure 6) and maize crops. It is crossed by a small stream of clear water and on the side of the river we can see the orchid Epidendrum paniculatum, Gongora galeata, Dichaea pendula and several populations of Leochilus carinatus. An exotic local plant, similar to the torch, ocher hue and arborescent ferns (Nephelea mexicana). Crossing the little Valiente river and we can see a cempasúchitl cultivation (Tagetes erecta). It is quite common to find butterflies (Heraclides thoas autocles Phoebis neocypris virgo, Phoebis sennae marcellina, Morpho helenor montezuma) (Figure 6). In the trees we can find and listen to the song of the birds Myiozetetes similis and Tyrannus couchii.

Figure 6 Open field (left) and butterflies (right). 

Point 5. The tree álamos

After 275 m, from the previous point, we can see a lot of poplars, heliconias (Heliconia sp.), and “yerba santa” or "tlanepa" growing between large and round stones. We can see the tickberry (Lantara camera), some green (Tillandsia crisp) and pink bromeliads (Tillandsia lucida) and a lemongrass tree. We can also observe a cottonwood tree on the bank of the river; the scenic beauty invites a souvenir photograph (Figure 7).

Figure 7 Poplar tree (left) and crystal clear spring water (right). 

There is a small spring of clear water (Figure 7), Mexican grapes and Croton sp. on a tree of marangola we find the orchids Coelia macrostachya, Isochilus major, and Dichaea pendula and over a guava tree, Comparethia falcata.

Point 6. Wading area

Located 600 m from the previous point and there is a stream of clear water, where we can splash about (Figure 8). There are abundant populations of Heliconia sp., poplar trees, ferns, horsetail, "tlanepa", “bad woman” (Wigandia urens). The trail continues along the river, surrounded by walnut trees (Juglans regia L.) and the treetops there are bromeliads (Tillandia lucida) and orchids Isochilus major and Leochilus carinatus.

Figure 8 Wading area (left) and crossing the rivers Texalapa and Metlac (right). 

The trail leads to the joint of the flows of the rivers Texalapa and Metlac, taking the name of the first, where we can differentiate the murky water of the first, second crystalline water downstream converge even after 50 m this unlike coloration is still observed (Figure 8). In this area, the most common animals are frogs (Craugastor Rhodopis) and multiple coloured hummingbirds.

Point 7. Dam

A 450 m of the previous point there is a dam used by a brewer company (Figure 9). The characteristic vegetation are poplars and heliconias form a beautiful landscape with scenery and riverside mountain. This site is conditioned for eating. The trail continues along the canal from the dam. We can observe wild chayote, begonias, maroon gladiolas (Crocosmia crocosmiflora) and ferns. Orchids Gongora galeata, Chysis aurea, Isochilus majoz, Leochilus carinatus and Stelis sp. are also around. There are also crops of coffee, maize, beans and tobacco chilli pepper. Abundant pastures for livestock. Crossing the canal we can see orchids Dichaea pendula (Figure 9), Chysis aurea, Epidendrum paniculatum, Stanhopea oculata and a pipicho tree. There are bell-flowers, ferns (Nephelea mexicana (Schltdl. & Cham.) R. M. Tryon), heliconia and tepexilote palms (Chamedor tepexilote L.) and parlor (Chamaedora elegans L.). As an additional attraction, there is a beautiful waterfall that comes from the fog-forest of the Poxtla ejido (Figure 9).

Figure 9 Dam (left), waterfall (centre) and orchid Dichaea pendula (right). 

Point 8. Bridge San Martín

The last site of the trail is 1 100 m from the point before. The bridge belongs to the community of San Martin (Figure 10) and we can see a large number of trees (Table 1), “yerba santa” and coffee crops. Here we can see the orchids (Table 2) in association with ferns and bromeliads alike (Tillandsia lucida, Pitcairnia heterophylla) Tillandsia (Figure 10) in a marangola tree. In this site is common to find the Wilson's Warbler bird (Cardellina pusilla) and White-winged Tanager (Piranga leucoptera) and abundant frogs (Charadrahyla taeniopus). At this point, visitors can cool off in the waters of Metlac River, under the shade of leafy cottonwoods.

Figure 10 Bridge St. Martin (left) and bromeliad Tillandsia nitida (right).