Italy/France 6/23/08 - 7/05/08


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Refuge Merveilles - Refuge Valmasque

This was the best hike of the trip. It began with a hike up a rocky valley filled with more rock carvings. The trail was well-marked and maintained. The ascent to the pass was steep but not exposed. There was a bit of snow as we got higher but nothing that caused any problems. After the pass, we wound our way along a series of three lakes. We saw over a dozen chamois and roughly a half a dozen ibex along this trail. The only tricky part was a section of snow next to one lake where a misstep meant taking a very cold swim. Shortly before the refuge the trail splits -- one option is more direct but slightly exposed, the other is longer but a much safer trail. The refuge itself it on the side of a lake between two dams. It has a deck over the lake with an amazing view.

Trail Head Rock Carvings Rock Carvings Valley
Pass Snow Bridge Top of the Pass Back at the Pass
Young Chamois Chamois Two Ibex Refuge Valmasque

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