Paso de Cortés

The Paso de Cortés is the mountain pass or saddle between the Popocatépetl and Ixtaccíhuatl volcanoes in central Mexico. It is part of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, where the normally southeast-trending continental divide turns north for over 16 kilometres (10 mi). The altitude of the pass is about 3,400 metres (11,200 ft). It is located in the municipality of Amecameca in the State of México.

History

The name derives from the transit of conquistador Hernán Cortés and his men over the pass in 1519. After the battle of Cholula, the Spanish continued northwest into the Valley of Mexico and the city of Tenochtitlán to confront the Aztecs and their emperor Moctezuma. It is claimed that while crossing the pass, some of Cortés' men climbed Popocatépetl, lowered into the crater, and brought back sulphur for making gunpowder.

Access

There is a paved road from Amecameca on the Mexico City side up to the Paso de Cortés, and from there south to Tlamacas toward Popocatépetl or north to the area near the base of Ixtaccíhuatl. The Paso can also be reached on dirt trails from Cholula, which are at least sometimes passable by 4-wheel-drive vehicles.