Distance: 12.55 miles
Height gain: 1126 meters
Descent: 1140 meters
Trient to Chamonix via Col du Balme
Our last day! So bittersweet. I'm so glad to be able to say I finished this and yet so sad that it's over. I'm already thinking about what hike to do next...
We start the day with breakfast at 7 and out the door by 8. The sun is out but the deep valley is still cool and in the shade. We meander through town toward the mountains that frame the deep valley with the sound of cow bells echoing off the hillsides. I'm so happy to be in Switzerland on a sunny day, starting the day by listening to cow bells. I can think of no where I would rather be!
The ascent started with another tough river crossing and proceeded steeply up the side of the valley. We climbed for a few hours and 3k before popping out of the trees into the snow fields. From here you could see the Col but it took another hour and half to reach it. The snow was very soft in the warm sun but easy to walk on. I did forget to put sunscreen on my legs and finished the day with some nice tan lines and slight sunburn on the calves.
Once at the top of the Col, we crossed back into France. The Col was very busy and we looked down on the village of Argentier. There was a tram and chair lift to the top and lots of people were having a day of leisure in the sun. There were picnicking couples, women wearing heels and a loud crew of older French people popping champagne bottles and taking shots of schnapps. It was a party!
Rather than take the chairlift town, we decided to keep walking. We were on a ski area so the trail wasn't very easy to follow. There were little trails everywhere. We managed to make our way towards Aiguillette des Posettes and around the base. We decided against summiting, mostly because I was worried about the stress of the descent on my knees. We had a sharp descent down into the valley along a rocky trail and soon left the ski area and entered the forest preserve again and the trees. We took the final descent slowly, appreciating the scenery and breathing in the mountain air. We stopped in Tre-la Champ for a beer before proceeding into Argentier and catching the bus to Chamonix. It was an incredible journey. It was challenging but a hike that anyone could do. The scenery was unlike anything I have seen before. When you combine mountain meadows, fresh water, wild flowers, cows with bells, cheese, wine, beer and friendly people, you feel like you have found paradise.
For more pictures and to follow the rest of my travels, check out @wanderingryverlily on Instagram.
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