In Puerto Natales now, and considering the ferry from here to Puerto Montt?
 

Hey everyone:

In Puerto Natales and planning my next move.... I'm debating doing the boat from here to Puerto Montt... but that means I will need to head over the pass Cardenal Samore....., around the third-fourth week of April. Considering it was snowing today in Rio Turbio, I'm more than a little concerned.

1) Any idea when this pass gets snowy or icy?
2) Is the trip amazingly beautiful and worth it? They dropped the price in the off season to $315 + I have no idea for the motorcycle.
3) If I did this trip, where would I head east to catch highway 3? I would prefer a paved road from the San Junin de los Andes to highway 3. I want to head to Buenos Aires next.,

Thanks so much for your advice in advance!

pass Cardenal Samore gets icy the same time as Angostura opens for ski season, which is July/August. The altitude is only 1300 meters at the pass.

Argentina - Turismo aventura y viajes - Guia de Mapas, Rutas y Hoteles tells you which roads are paved or not.

I am in Bariloche today and will be crossing to Osorno tomorrow. It's around 10-13C in Bariloche today and the road is good quality (I crossed it once with a bus already) so I wouldn't worry about it too much.

From Bariloche to Buenos Aires is paved all the way and forget boring Ruta 3. Head north to Zapala and then across mucho mucho pampas through Trenque Laquen, General Acha etc.

My guide book says the Natales-Montt ferry starts carting cattle in the off season so you may want to consider that (haven't done the ferry) - but then the Ruta 40 gravel section around Tres Lagos will not be fun with snow either.....and Ruta 3 is the most boring road I've ever been on.

Ride safe.