Ballon d'Alsace

4 July 2015:  We love the Vosgien forests!  From Abreschwiller to the Ballon d'Alsace (two weeks of hiking), we have hiked along many forest trails.  There are times when one may yearn for an open trail with far-ranging views of the surrounding countryside.  (We did, in fact, hike along such a trail on the crest of the Vosges for two days.)  But the Vosges are not a "green tunnel".  The forests do not enclose the hiker.  Conifer forests are often open, full of air and light.  Most important, this week, the forests provided welcome shade from the intense sunshine.  

Today, we hiked from Belacker to the Ballon d'Alsace (ca. 6 hrs. of hiking).  It would have been very difficult in open countryside, with temperatures in the high 30s.  Instead, most of the trail passed through forests.  At higher elevations, there was often a slight breeze that provided some relief from the heat.  So we arrived at the Ballon d'Alsace tired and thirsty, but in good shape. 

Finally, we send our greetings for the Fourth of July to our American family and friends!  These greetings will be belated, because we do not have an internet connection here or a mobile telephone network that could handle a blog post.

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We started off in open countryside, but soon entered the forest on an excellent, easy trail. 

We passed above Lac des Perches, where we camped during our hike on this trail in 1989.  Today, we saw several people by the lake, at least one of whom was swimming.  The water must have felt refreshing in today's heat!

Carroll adopted Mary's idea of carrying a damp sponge to wipe off his sweaty brow. 

For about half an hour, we watched as we hiked for a good place to stop for lunch.  Just as we were about to settle for a log or a stump under a tree, we found the perfect spot: a picnic table, with shade, a refreshing breeze and a view. 

The Ballon d'Alsace (1247 m.) looms before us.  The last 30 minutes of the hike included some steep climbing. 

The summit of the Ballon d'Alsace, which is basically a vast, level field – with the standard table d'orientation, of course. 

On a clear day, it is said, one can see the Alps from here (and other high points in Alsace).  There were no clouds obscuring the view today, but the haze of a hot day kept the Alps hidden.  

We received a warm welcome at the Ferme-auberge du Ballon, near the summit.