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 |