Ceillac

28 August 2015:  About three weeks ago, we walked past Lac d'Anterne, an eerie lake in an austere, even bleak, setting well above the tree line – at 2060 m.  (See blog post "Moëde-Anterne".)  Today, we enjoyed the shade of the mélèze trees surrounding us as we ate our lunch at the Col de Bramousse – at 2251 m. Compare the photos – quite a contrast!  

Lac d'Anterne, 2060 m., 8 August 2015:

Col de la Bramousse, 2251 m., 28 August 2015:

The altitude of the tree line is influenced, of course, by many factors – climate, topography, geology, etc.  Those factors are beginning now to hint at the Mediterranean (which still lies nearly two weeks from here).  

Of course, the continuing sunny, hot weather has a Mediterranean flavor, and that could change quite dramatically and abruptly.  Meanwhile, we're enjoying this weather while it lasts!  

Today's hike was pleasant, most of it in forest. The approach to the Col de Bramousse was a gradual, easy climb.  The descent from the pass to Ceillac began on an open meadow (where we had to dodge a pack of cyclists careening down the trail on their VTTs).  The trail then entered a forest and traversed a very steep slope with numerous switchbacks. 

We arrived in Ceillac in the mid-afternoon, leaving us time to relax and explore this attractive village.  We've added Ceillac to the list of places we plan to visit again.

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Departure from Bramousse:

Hiking through bucolic forest and meadows:

Col de Bramousse:

Lunch at the pass:

Descent from the Col de Bramousse:

Arrival in Ceillac, with numerous parapentistes descending from the sky to welcome us:

Les Baladins, a very comfortable gîte d'étape: