Page:Appleton's Guide to Mexico.djvu/327

Rh that trains of a dozen cars on the former road are often loaded with pulque in barrels between the stations of Irolo and Mexico, a distance of 77 kilometres. (See p. 293.)

From Los Reyes the train runs eastward to Ayotla (25 kilometres). It then turns to the south, and skirts the Lake of Chalco, passing the stations of La Compañia (35 kilometres), Tenango (47 kilometres), and, after ascending a heavy grade, reaches Amecameca (58 kilometres).

No tourist visits Amecameca for any other purpose than to ascend the great volcano. It is the culminating point of North America, being 17,720 feet above the sea-level. The trip to the summit and back requires two days; but, if the traveler wishes to ride and walk rapidly, and possesses extraordinary physical powers, a day and a half will be sufficient. He may leave the capital in the morning, and arrive at the ranch of Tlamacas, on the ridge-line between Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl, the same evening. The next day the great volcano may be ascended. The traveler can return to Amecameca in the evening, but not in time to take the afternoon train, unless he makes fast time on foot and on horseback.

Before setting out, it will be advisable to obtain permission to sleep at the cabin of Tlamacas from the owner, General Sanchez Ochoa, who now (1883) resides in the Hotel Iturbide, at the capital. If the tourist fail to see General Ochoa, he can sleep either in the open air or in a dilapidated building at the ranch. The house which is generally used