Yesterday I hiked from the trailhead of the village of Champel in the Val Montjoie (the Montjoie valley that goes from St Gervais Mont Blanc to Notre Dame de la Gorge). It starts at 1200 m (3,900 feet), passes the Chalets de Miage at 1560 m (5,100 feet), and ends at the Refuge (hut) de Plan Glacier at 2700 m (8,900 feet). It's an exceptionally rewarding outing. The Miage mountain (summer) pasture offers a very idyllic alpine countryside scenery. About an hour past Miage, you will experience a very rugged and wild tundra-like beauty with a Lapland feel to it, and end your hike in the high alpine esthetics. On top of it all, you will get a decent fitness boost powered by the 15-mile distance and 5,000+ feet elevation gain.
The refuge de Plan de Glacier offers close access to Refuge Durier at 3358 m (11,000 feet) and from there on to either Dome de Miage at 3670 m (12,000 feet) or Aiguille de Bionnassay at 4052 m (13,300 feet).
 |
| One of several waterfalls after you pass the Chalets de Miage. |
 |
| Where the two rivers meet are the Chalets de Miage. To their left is the Plateau de Truc. |
 |
| In the middle of this picture is a hanging bridge you cross before the steepest and longest push to the refuge de Plan Glacier. |
 |
| My first sight of a lonesome young mountain goat... |
 |
| ...he was unafraid enough to let me and my dog get close enough for this shot. |
 |
| First sight of the refuge de Plan Glacier with Aiguille de Tricot towering over it. Enlarge to see the hut in the middle of the shot. |
 |
| A closer look here. |
 |
| Loki the Magnificent resting on the deck. |
 |
| Yours truly and Loki. |
