Sauce Trail

Summary
Moderately strenuous 2-3 hours loop connecting the San Fransisco and Sauce bridges. The trail climbs above and follows the contours of the Pastaza River, dipping towards the halfway point to cross a feeder stream. It offers spectacular views of Banos and the river valley. On clear days you can see Tungurahua brooding over town. More pics are at my post about the first time I found the Sauce bridge.

Description
For those who prefer to take their dose of steep up instead of down, I suggest starting the loop at the Sauce bridge instead of the San Fransisco.  Also, on the mountain, I think it's easier to figure out how to get to Banos than to Sauce.

From the Posada del Arte, head towards the evacuation route. I prefer the dirt road that takes you over the eastern ridge of town. If you take that route, when you reach Amazones (about 15 minutes later), cross the road, and head left for a few yards so you can also cross over to the smaller road leading  into the suburb of San Vicente.

Walk down that road a few minutes until you see the turnoff for the small paved road to the Sauce bridge. It is not well marked. Look for a street sign on a beige building that says Sauce. Turn left and walk about 5-10 minutes until the road ends. Turn around occasionally to see if you can see Tungurahua's peek over Banos. You'll walk past Fuvirese, the local organization that had done a lot to help make Banos more accessible for people with physical disabilities. (For example, Banos has many curb cuts to help with wheelchairs.) You'll also walk past an old school playlot.

When the road ends, keep going. A steep footpath switchbacks down to a narrow bridge that gets you about as close to the Rio Pastaza as possible in Banos.

Cross the river and get ready for plenty of up. Remember to look back (and catch your breathe) to take in the panoramic view that includes the Ulba waterfall far to the left (down river) and, if it's not cloudy, the top of Tungurahau over Banos to the right.

It's pretty easy to follow the trail, although at points it looks just like a thread in knee high grass.  It passes by a property with an amazing tree with low draping branches that scream for climbing. Alas, an angry barking dog keeps visitors at bay. The times I have been, she has been tied up. Still, it never hurts to keep a rock in your pocket.

Keep going. You might see land crabs skittering about. Once you pass by the bench of love, you are pretty much done with up. I think.

The trail will start to gradually lose elevation as you near a small river that feeds into the pastaza. If you pass a beast of burden along the way, pass in front. At the river, keep a look out for for fish catching dogs. On a recent trip, I saw two dogs nonchalantly walk into the river and catch some trout! It was amazing and baffling until we realized the nearby trout farm. Michael's theory is that they toss dead fish into the river. But I swear I saw a struggle as the silver scales flashed in the dogs' teeth.

Cross the river and take a left. The road will take you back to Banos via the San Fransisco bridge.