Hike to the Sungate

The sungate sits at the top of the ridge. It is so named because at the summer solstice the sun shines through the gate and into the Sun temple. It is the main entrance to Machu Pichu (before the park road was made) and is where the Hikers on the Inca trail enter the city. We hiked up to the sungate which is 1.5 mi. and 1,000 feet up. The trail is paved with rocks (not flat) and many steps. These are very steep steps which are not good for short legs - but most of the Incas were (and still are) short people.
We started the hike in complete socked in clouds. It was thrilling when it cleared and we could see the majic place of
1. Barrie on the trail to the sun gate
2. Stop on the trail at a resting place and guard place
3. The guard house, the top of Machupichu and beginning of the Sungate trail
4. Climbers almost to the top of apichu
5. Barrie at the entrance to Inca Bridge trail
6. Rock and alter on the trail
7. At the top we have a bit of lifting and can see Machupichu and the switchback roads the busses take
8. Barrie overlooking Machupichu from the Sungate
9. Everyone reaches the sungate
10. Cloud break
11. The first 7 reach the Sungate
12. View along the trail
13. The next 4 on the trail, almost to the top. 2 people turned around halfway
14. MJ going down the trail
15. View of Machupichu
16. & 17. in the clouds
18. MJ resting at the top of the Sungate
19. MJ at beginning of the trail
20. Machupichu
21. The wishing cairns we made on a ceremonial rock. We wished for Obama and for our children's good health and fortune!