Col de la Fordaz and Champex

We left Chamonix and hiked up to the Col de Balme were to the border of France and Switzerland. We hiked through a beautiful valley and saw a herd of sheep grazing in the fields. We stopped for lunch at the Col de Balme and visited a small cafe run by the "Dragon Lady". Our friend, Iwa managed to get a photo of this mystical women. . .I did not dare go in I remember the story of Hansel and Gretal!

This is a picture of us taken on the way up to Col de Balme. The mountains in the background are stunning!

Barbara and Dede on the trail to Col de Balme.

After lunch we headed down the steep descent into Col de la Forclaz. It was very steep and I was glad that I had my Cho-Pat bands on my knees! It was beautiful though as the trail wound down through the forest. We finally ended up at our Inn. This was modest hiker's Inn. . .as you can see from the picture below our room was like a dorm room and we has to go down the hall to the bathroom. I was surprised to learn the bathrooms were co-ed!

There were many cows surrounding our Inn and the sounds of their bells around their necks serenaded us all night long. Each cow has a bell and we learned that the cows have head butting fights to determine the "Queen". The Queen is then given the largest bell around her neck!

The Inn at Col de la Forclaz is at the edge of the Trent Glacier. The main hike was to hike up the steep Glacier and come back down on the other side. Since my knee is not up to par . . .we chose the alternative route called the Bovine Trail. Doesn't sound as appealing as the Trent Glacier hike but it was a beautiful hike heading up the steep mountain pass and the crossing a beautiful alpine meadow.

Our Bovine group at the end of the steep descent! I am sure the Trent Glacier hike was spectacular but I am not disappointed in my choice to the other route. It was gorgeous and I felt quite "Heidi" like crossing the alpine meadow and hearing the cow bells ring as we hiked.

Tomorrow we have kind of a rest day . .. We will head out for a 3 day hike into a remote part of the alps. We will be sleeping in true hikers huts with dormitory bedding and shared bathrooms! We have to carry everything we need for the 3 days! Needless to say in will be wearing the same clothes for the entire time!

So no posts until we get back. . . We are having a blast and I have fallen in love with Switzerland!