This has been a favourite Sierra Nevada ski touring destination for some years. Access to the western side of Tajos de los Machos is best via the Refugio Forestal La Pluca. This is all dirt road above Capileira or Soportujar and maybe necessitate 4WD vehicles.
You park at the Refugio Forestal and make your way uphill through the forest. There is no track, just head upwards. As you break out of the forest there are 2 options. Firstly you can head directly up to the smaller peak of Las Alegas (2711m). Otherwise trend rightwards and arrive at the Col de los Moros (2649m). From here the peak of Tajos de Los Machos is directly in front.
Best ascent for ski touring is directly up the bowl between Cerillo Redondo and Los Machos. It holds snow very well. At the head of the valley take either the left hand option or harder options right to the main ridgeline. The total ascent is straightforward to beginners or those new to ski mountaineering.
For descent there are a variety of options. Back the way you came up is the easiest. Harder still is the Barranco Honda. A bit steeper and involving a return to the Refugio Cebollar and over Las Alegas. Even harder still is to descend the Barranco Cortes, returning either to Puente Palo or over Las Alegas to the start point.
The snow this year is excellent. The photo below was taken from the Poqueira Hut and shows the amount of snow around at the moment. This area is ideal for those new to backcountry skiing.
More information, gear hire or ski touring guiding
Credits: Aerial Photos by Mareike Vreisleben
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