Cordón del Plata, Mountain range in Mendoza Province, Argentina

Cordón del Plata is a mountain range in the Frontal Cordillera of the Argentine Andes, entirely within Mendoza Province. It runs 43 km north to south and holds peaks between 4,000 and nearly 6,000 m, the highest being Cerro El Plata at 5,968 m, with its secondary Pico Plata at 5,845 m. Streams such as Las Mulas, El Salto, Vallecitos and the Blanco river rise here, and the Vallecitos ski centre sits on its slopes at about 3,000 m.

The Cordón del Plata provincial park was created by a law passed in 2011 after 12 years of work in the Mendoza legislature. The proposal came from CONICET scientists including Bernardo Javier González Riga, Darío Trombotto, José Hernández, Fernando Videla, Eduardo Méndez and Roberto Bárcena, who cited its glaciers, water resources, native flora and fauna, and archaeological and palaeontological remains. The park covers about 175,000 hectares.

The range gives its name to the Cordón del Plata Provincial Park, created in 2011 after 12 years of legislative work. The park was proposed by CONICET scientists including Bernardo Javier González Riga, Darío Trombotto and Roberto Bárcena, who cited its glaciers, permafrost, native fauna and archaeological and palaeontological remains. On the slopes at about 3,000 m lies the Vallecitos ski centre, roughly 80 km from Mendoza city.

Visitors should wear sturdy hiking boots and bring weather-resistant clothing since conditions can change rapidly at higher elevations and the altitude affects the body. It is wise to travel with a local guide and carry sufficient water and food to navigate safely through the terrain.

The elevation and special climate of the region enable the cultivation of seed potatoes in the La Carrera area, something difficult to accomplish elsewhere. This combination of altitude and weather conditions has made the region an important center for specialized agriculture.