This might have been the first time I walk below the Grande Dixence Dam. It was cloudy and snowy above, so we chose to change the plan and go to the top of the Pointe de Mandelon. We were there to spot animals, but as I learned you need to be there before 7a.m. when the herd of 20 or so deer are in the fields below grazing peacefully. It is amazing how they just vanished into the larch forest to never be seen again. How do they do that?!
There is not really a trail, so we walked over the reindeer lichens and gneiss rocks to the top. The view of the Rhône valley sort of came out at one point. And I cannot wait to return to see that view as well as the one into the Val d'Hérens.
Reindeer Moss - which is actually lichen.
Juniper bushes helped us and our cheese warm up during our picnic. At the base of the mountain there is an alpage you can sleep and eat at. It has just been renovated and looked beautiful, oh and the coffee was good!
We walked along the ridge and returned to the alpage de Mandolin through the fields, making a loop. You might find poles helpful as there is no trail and you have to rock hop around looking for the best spot to place your next step!
Pooof! End of summer for this one!!