Rain Forest Digging Out From Landslides

The Caribbean National Forest in Puerto Rico is struggling to dig out from landslides, caused by Hurricane Hortense in September, that blocked access to much of the 28,000-acre reserve, popularly known as El Yunque (The Anvil).

The rain forest’s “most attractive, impressive recreation areas” are cut off by landslides on Puerto Rico Route 191, the main road into the reserve, according to spokeswoman Lizzette Velez. She said the only sites open are La Coca Falls, the Angelito nature trail and a new visitors center.

Starting in January, construction work is expected to block access to the falls on some days. The forest is not expected to be fully recovered until next summer, Velez said.

In the meantime, visitors can view wildlife exhibits, informational displays and a documentary film at the $18-million El Portal Tropical Forest Center. The center’s first pavilion opened in June; two others are to open in the spring. The reserve, the only tropical rain forest in the U.S. National Forest System, is open every day. Admission is free except to the center, which costs $3 for adults.