Mogote Corralitos
🏔️ Overview
Mogote Corralitos is a remarkably prominent mountain rising from the Sierra de Pie de Palo in San Juan Province, Argentina. Although its summit elevation of approximately 3,168 meters (10,394 feet) is modest compared with the 6,000-meter giants of the high Andes farther west, its extraordinary topographic prominence makes it one of Argentina’s most geographically significant mountains.
Peakbagger lists Mogote Corralitos with approximately 2,468 meters (8,097 feet) of prominence, easily exceeding the 1,500-meter threshold required for classification as an ultra-prominent peak, or “Ultra.”
This means Mogote Corralitos rises with exceptional independence from the surrounding landscape. In fact, its prominence is greater than that of many much taller Andean summits.
The mountain stands in the Sierra de Pie de Palo, an isolated basement uplift generally classified as part of the Western Sierras Pampeanas. Some international mountain databases group the peak within the broader Central Argentina–Chile Andes for regional listing purposes, but Argentine geological literature distinguishes the Sierra de Pie de Palo from the principal Andean chains farther west.
Mogote Corralitos is also interesting geologically. Its slopes expose ancient metamorphic rocks that record events extending back more than a billion years, while the modern mountain remains part of a tectonically active region of western Argentina.
⚡ Fast Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Continent | South America |
| Country | Argentina |
| State/Province | San Juan Province |
| County/Region | Angaco Department |
| Mountain Range | Sierra de Pie de Palo |
| Mountain System | Western Sierras Pampeanas |
| Regional Peakbagger Classification | Central Argentina–Chile Andes |
| Parent Peak | Aconcagua (island parent in PeakVisor) |
| Elevation | Approximately 3,168 m / 10,394 ft |
| Prominence | Approximately 2,468 m / 8,097 ft |
| Isolation | Approximately 109.9 km / 68.3 mi |
| Nearest Higher Neighbor (NHN) | Cerro Negro, approximately 111.7 km WSW in current PeakVisor terrain data |
| Coordinates | Approximately 31.2845°S, 67.9250°W |
| Peak Classification | Ultra-prominent peak |
| Prominence Threshold Exceeded By | Approximately 968 m |
📍 Location
Mogote Corralitos rises in San Juan Province in west-central Argentina, within the Sierra de Pie de Palo east of the city of San Juan.
The Sierra de Pie de Palo stretches generally north to south through portions of the departments of Angaco, Caucete, San Martín, and 25 de Mayo. It stands east of the San Juan metropolitan area and the Valle del Tulum and is separated from the higher Andean and Precordilleran ranges farther west.
Coordinates used by modern terrain databases place Mogote Corralitos at approximately:
31.2845° S, 67.9250° W
Geographic databases generally associate the peak with Angaco Department.
This location is significant because Mogote Corralitos does not stand in the high international Andes along the Chilean border. Instead, it rises considerably farther east as part of an isolated block of ancient crystalline basement.
San Juan Province contains several dramatically different mountain systems within a relatively short distance.
To the west are high Andean and Precordilleran ranges containing mountains such as Cerro Mercedario, Cerro Pircas, and the Cordillera de Ansilta.
Mogote Corralitos belongs to a geologically different mountain system farther east.
📏 Elevation & Prominence
Modern mountain databases generally place Mogote Corralitos at approximately 3,168 meters (10,394 feet).
Small differences appear among sources.
Peakbagger uses approximately:
- Elevation: 3,168 m / 10,394 ft
- Prominence: 2,468 m / 8,097 ft
PeakVisor also gives an elevation of 3,168 meters but calculates approximately 2,476 meters (8,123 feet) of prominence.
Older and alternative maps sometimes show summit elevations around 3,160–3,162 meters.
These differences are minor compared with the mountain’s enormous topographic prominence.
Why Is Mogote Corralitos So Prominent?
Topographic prominence measures how far a mountain rises independently of surrounding higher terrain.
A prominence of approximately 2,468 meters means that anyone traveling from Mogote Corralitos toward a higher mountain would have to descend roughly 2.47 vertical kilometers before reaching terrain that ultimately rises higher.
Any summit with at least 1,500 meters of prominence qualifies as an ultra-prominent peak.
Mogote Corralitos exceeds that requirement by almost 1,000 meters.
Its prominence is so substantial that Peakbagger includes it among the 200 most prominent mountains in the world.
That is especially striking because its absolute elevation is only slightly above 3,000 meters.
🧭 What Is the Nearest Higher Neighbor of Mogote Corralitos?
The NHN deserves special attention because older databases and articles do not agree.
Current PeakVisor terrain data identifies Cerro Negro, approximately 111.7 kilometers (69.4 miles) west-southwest, as the nearest higher named summit. Cerro Negro reaches approximately 3,252 meters (10,669 feet).
Peakbagger currently gives Mogote Corralitos a topographic isolation of approximately 68.3 miles, or 109.9 kilometers.
That figure is compatible with higher terrain lying roughly 110 kilometers away, because topographic isolation is measured to the nearest point of equal elevation rather than necessarily to the summit of the higher mountain itself.
Older references—including the previous version of this Mountain Field Guide page—listed Cerro Pircas as the nearest higher neighbor. Cerro Pircas is substantially higher, but it lies farther from Mogote Corralitos than Cerro Negro.
For that reason, Cerro Negro is the better current NHN choice based on the available terrain data.
🪨 Geology
The Sierra de Pie de Palo is one of the most geologically interesting basement uplifts in western Argentina.
Unlike the giant volcanic summits found farther north in the Andes, Mogote Corralitos is not a volcano.
The mountain is composed primarily of ancient metamorphic and crystalline rocks that have experienced a complicated history of deposition, burial, metamorphism, deformation, faulting, uplift, and erosion.
Geological studies of the Sierra de Pie de Palo identify major rock assemblages including:
- Gneiss
- Amphibolite
- Quartzite
- Schist
- Marble
- Metamorphosed carbonate rocks
- Metasedimentary rocks
- Migmatitic rocks
- Mafic and ultramafic rocks
Some components of the Pie de Palo Complex date from the Mesoproterozoic, more than one billion years ago.
The Sierra also preserves rocks associated with the Caucete Group, whose sedimentary precursors formed during the late Proterozoic and early Paleozoic.
These rocks are important to geologists studying the ancient Cuyania terrane and the early development of the western margin of Gondwana.
Tectonic Uplift
The modern relief of the Sierra de Pie de Palo is much younger than many of the rocks exposed within it.
Compression associated with Andean tectonics reactivated ancient faults and raised blocks of old continental crust to form the modern Western Sierras Pampeanas.
The result is a dramatic mountain block with:
- Steep slopes
- Deep ravines
- Exposed bedrock
- Fault-controlled relief
- Narrow summit uplands
- Strong erosion
The region remains tectonically active.
Scientific investigations have documented numerous crustal earthquakes beneath and around the Sierra de Pie de Palo, demonstrating that deformation continues today.
🌿 Flora & Fauna
Despite its dry appearance, the Sierra de Pie de Palo supports several distinct ecological zones as elevation increases.
Scientific fieldwork has documented a transition from arid lowland vegetation to high-elevation grassland.
Lower Slopes
At approximately 700–800 meters, the foothills have a dry, rocky environment characteristic of Argentina’s Monte vegetation zone.
Plants documented in the area include:
- Larrea species
- Bulnesia
- Opuntia
- Other drought-adapted shrubs and cacti
Vegetation is adapted to intense sunlight, very limited rainfall, and long periods of dry weather.
Middle Elevations
Between roughly 800 and 1,700 meters, vegetation occurs especially along dry washes and protected ravines.
Shrubs, grasses, cacti, and bromeliads become important components of the plant communities.
The terrain becomes increasingly steep above approximately 1,700 meters, while vegetation becomes thinner and more scattered.
High Mountain Zone
At elevations approaching the summit of Mogote Corralitos, the ecology changes substantially.
Research in the Sierra de Pie de Palo has documented high-elevation grasslands dominated by grasses historically identified within the broad Stipa group, along with hardy Andean-Patagonian shrubs.
Plants recorded at higher elevations include representatives of:
- Nassauvia
- Adesmia
- Tetraglochin
- Festuca
- Fabiana
- Baccharis
These plants must survive strong winds, freezing temperatures, intense ultraviolet radiation, dry air, and rapid temperature changes.
Animals recorded from the upper Sierra include reptiles, scorpions, solifuges, insects, and other species adapted to the isolated highland environment.
The ecological importance of Pie de Palo comes partly from this isolation. Its summit habitats function somewhat like a biological island above the surrounding dry lowlands.
🥾 Hiking & Climbing Routes
Mogote Corralitos should not be treated as a conventional developed hiking destination.
Andeshandbook currently lists the mountain but states that its information is incomplete and does not publish an established climbing route for the summit.
Local tracks demonstrate that roads and old access routes penetrate parts of the Sierra de Pie de Palo, including tracks associated with communications infrastructure near the high mountain.
Historical scientific accounts also describe a road climbing toward Mogote Corralitos.
However, the existence of a road or GPS track does not mean that the route is currently maintained, suitable for ordinary vehicles, publicly accessible, or safe.
The Sierra is characterized by:
- Long approaches
- Rugged roads
- Steep terrain
- Deep erosion channels
- Sparse water
- Limited shade
- Very little hiking infrastructure
- Weak or nonexistent cellular coverage
- Large temperature changes
- Difficult emergency evacuation
Winter snow and ice can occur around the summit, while summer thunderstorms can cause abrupt weather changes.
🏔️ Field Guide Tip: Treat Mogote Corralitos as a remote backcountry mountain rather than an ordinary trail hike. Confirm current road conditions and access locally, carry offline navigation, take substantially more water than you expect to need, and do not depend on cellular reception for emergency communication.
Anyone planning a summit attempt should seek recent local information before traveling into the Sierra de Pie de Palo.
🌤️ Best Time to Visit
Spring and autumn generally offer the most attractive conditions for exploring lower and middle elevations of the Sierra de Pie de Palo because the most extreme summer heat and winter cold are reduced.
Conditions near the summit are much more severe than those of the surrounding lowlands.
Historical observations from around 3,162 meters on Mogote Corralitos recorded:
- Winter snowfall and hail
- Temperatures falling to approximately −20°C (−4°F)
- Strong winds approaching 100 km/h (62 mph)
- Summer thunderstorms
- Sudden temperature drops
- Very dry air
- Intense solar radiation
These observations illustrate why conditions at the summit cannot be predicted from weather in the city of San Juan.
During summer, lower approaches can become intensely hot while thunderstorms develop over higher terrain.
During winter, snow, ice, cold, and strong winds can make the upper mountain significantly more hazardous.
🧭 Nearby Mountains & Attractions
Cerro Pircas
Cerro Pircas rises west of Mogote Corralitos in the Sierra del Tontal.
At approximately 4,380 meters, it is substantially higher than Mogote Corralitos and is itself an ultra-prominent mountain.
Older references sometimes listed Cerro Pircas as Mogote Corralitos’ NHN, although current terrain data indicates that Cerro Negro is closer.
Cordillera de Ansilta
The Cordillera de Ansilta rises farther west in San Juan Province.
Its enormous summits form part of a dramatically different high-Andean landscape characterized by elevations approaching 6,000 meters.
Cerro Mercedario
Cerro Mercedario is the highest mountain in San Juan Province.
At approximately 6,717 meters, it towers more than 3,500 meters above the summit elevation of Mogote Corralitos.
Despite that difference in height, Mogote Corralitos has enough topographic independence to rank as an Ultra in its own right.
San Juan
The city of San Juan lies west of the Sierra de Pie de Palo and is the principal urban center of the province.
The surrounding Valle del Tulum is one of Argentina’s important irrigated agricultural districts and is particularly associated with vineyards and wine production.
Aconcagua
Aconcagua lies much farther southwest in Mendoza Province.
PeakVisor identifies Aconcagua as the island parent of Mogote Corralitos within its topographic hierarchy.
At approximately 6,961 meters, Aconcagua is the highest mountain in South America and the highest mountain anywhere outside Asia.
💡 Fun Facts
- Mogote Corralitos reaches approximately 3,168 meters (10,394 feet).
- Its prominence is approximately 2,468 meters (8,097 feet).
- It therefore qualifies easily as an ultra-prominent peak.
- Peakbagger includes Mogote Corralitos among the world’s 200 most prominent mountains.
- Its isolation is approximately 109.9 kilometers (68.3 miles).
- Current terrain data identifies Cerro Negro as the nearest higher named mountain.
- Older references sometimes list Cerro Pircas as its NHN.
- Mogote Corralitos is one of the highest points of the Sierra de Pie de Palo.
- The Sierra de Pie de Palo belongs to the Western Sierras Pampeanas.
- Some global mountain databases group the mountain within the Central Argentina–Chile Andes for broader regional classification.
- Mogote Corralitos is not volcanic.
- Its underlying rocks include ancient metamorphic formations more than a billion years old.
- The Sierra de Pie de Palo remains tectonically and seismically active.
- High summit areas can experience snow, severe cold, strong winds, and sudden summer storms.
- Scientific expeditions have used the route toward Mogote Corralitos to study the unusual high-elevation plants and animals of this isolated mountain range.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How high is Mogote Corralitos?
Mogote Corralitos reaches approximately 3,168 meters (10,394 feet) above sea level.
Some maps use figures around 3,160–3,162 meters, but 3,168 meters is the value currently used by Peakbagger and PeakVisor.
Where is Mogote Corralitos?
Mogote Corralitos is located in San Juan Province, Argentina, in the Sierra de Pie de Palo east of the city of San Juan.
What mountain range is Mogote Corralitos in?
The mountain belongs to the Sierra de Pie de Palo, which geological literature generally places within the Western Sierras Pampeanas.
Some international mountain databases group it regionally with the Central Argentina–Chile Andes.
What is the prominence of Mogote Corralitos?
Peakbagger lists approximately 2,468 meters (8,097 feet) of topographic prominence.
That makes Mogote Corralitos an ultra-prominent mountain.
Is Mogote Corralitos an Ultra?
Yes.
A mountain needs at least 1,500 meters of topographic prominence to qualify as an Ultra. Mogote Corralitos has approximately 2,468 meters.
What is the isolation of Mogote Corralitos?
Peakbagger lists approximately 68.3 miles, or 109.9 kilometers, of topographic isolation.
What is the nearest higher neighbor of Mogote Corralitos?
Current PeakVisor terrain data identifies Cerro Negro, approximately 111.7 kilometers west-southwest, as the nearest higher named summit.
Older references listed Cerro Pircas, but Cerro Negro is geographically closer and higher than Mogote Corralitos.
Is Mogote Corralitos part of the Andes?
Not in the strict regional geological classification.
The Sierra de Pie de Palo is normally considered part of the Western Sierras Pampeanas, although Peakbagger and PeakVisor include Mogote Corralitos within broader Andean regional groupings.
This distinction is important because the mountain is an isolated basement uplift east of the principal Andean and Precordilleran chains.
Is Mogote Corralitos a volcano?
No.
Mogote Corralitos is composed predominantly of ancient metamorphic and crystalline rocks and was uplifted through tectonic processes.
Can you hike Mogote Corralitos?
It is possible to reach parts of the mountain by old roads and backcountry routes, but Mogote Corralitos is not a developed hiking destination.
Andeshandbook currently lists no published standard ascent route.
Travelers should verify access, road conditions, weather, and navigation information locally before attempting the mountain.
Does it snow on Mogote Corralitos?
Yes.
Historical observations from the high mountain document winter snow and hail, freezing temperatures, and very strong winds.
🔗 Related Articles
- Cerro Pircas
- Cerro Mercedario
- Cordillera de Ansilta
- Aconcagua
- The Central Andes
- Map of the Andes Mountain Range
- Mountains in South America
🔗 Related Hiking and Safety Guides
- The Ten Essentials for Hiking
- What to Do If You Get Lost Hiking
- Best Satellite Communicators for Hiking
📚 Sources
- Peakbagger — World Top 200 by Prominence — Elevation, prominence, Ultra classification, and approximately 68.3-mile isolation for Mogote Corralitos.
- PeakVisor — Mogote Corralitos — Elevation, prominence, coordinates, island parent, and current nearest-higher-neighbor data.
- Andeshandbook — Cerro Mogote Corralitos — Summit elevation and current mountaineering/access information; the database currently publishes no established route.
- Revista de la Asociación Geológica Argentina — Metasedimentos siliciclásticos proterozoicos en la Sierra de Pie de Palo — Geological history, Caucete Group, ancient basement rocks, and tectonic context of the Sierra de Pie de Palo.
- Historia Natural — Preliminary Report on the Faunal and Biogeographical Physiognomy of the Sierra Pie de Palo — High-elevation geology, vegetation zones, fauna, climate observations, and conditions recorded around Mogote Corralitos.
