Chalet du Lignon

There is still snow on the upper slopes of the mountains around the Vallée du Giffre, but it's definitely springtime down in the valley!  One still sees folks in Samoëns, dressed for downhill skiing and waiting for the ski bus that will take them to the nearby Télécabine Grand Massif Express, but they look rather incongruous under the warm sun.  I've put away my snowshoes and changed the baskets on my trekking poles.  It's now definitely hiking season — and there are some big hikes on the agenda!

I have been gathering and organizing clothing and gear for our big GR5 hike (departure in early May). I loaded everything in my pack and took a hike today from Salvagny to the Chalet du Lignon.  That was a lot to carry for about 2½ hours of hiking, but this was just a test.  The beautiful weather did not put my rain gear and warm clothing to the test, but I wasn't complaining!

No mere daypack for today's hike!

Today's hike took me past the dramatic Cascade du Rouget:

Mont Buet (3096 m.) looms:

It's time for a sunhat! 

Le Chalet du Lignon (1180 m.):

On the snow-covered terrace of the Chalet du Lignon — a bustling café during the summer: