We figured that two perfect days were more than one could expect when in the heart of such massive mountains, but here we were on day 4 with near cloudless skies until mid afternoon, when the clouds offered welcome relief from the very warm mountain temperatures and fierce sun.
I set off by bus towards the Mattmark stone dam, opened in 1969 and at 2100 metres above sea level. The bus trip up the mini pass is already spectacular through various alps , with the local Eringer cows with their large horns. Apparently the females fight for sovereignty!
I had no idea what to expect from the walk but thought it would be a flat and easy around the lake. Unfortunately 'easy' for Swiss ,who have grown up in the mountains with sheer drops, is a very different thing for sheltered English, who were never in the mountains and never allowed near a drop of any sort!
Anyway, I set off across the dam, all alone and paying attention to stay in the middle of what was a fairly wide roadway. Despite the width, I only really felt at ease once I was 'on dry land' with no drops on both sides. I was exceedingly happy to have my newly acquired mountain walking sticks. Great for the balance, I must say.
I made it to the other side - it seemed an eternity ! Views were super but Sadly I did not look up enough!
On the far side I realised I would not make it round the lakeside track because of the drop off the side of the track into the lake, but I did stop to photograph some of the fabulous alpine flowers amongst the rocks.
Several types of orchid with their brilliant rich pinks and purples
And this very dainty flower, which sadly I have not yet identified. It seems to love cracks and crevasses.
Although I had more or less decided I would walk down the Saas Almagell valley instead of going around the lake, I fortunately noticed that the path on the right side started off as a road, so decided to go as far as I felt comfortable with on that track. How thankful I am thatI did! It turned out to be a fantastic day with a really beautiful, yet quite strenuous walk. What spectacular views of the Mattmark Lake and its backdrop of mountains! You could see the lakeside path above the lake. I would not have coped alone. The beautiful fluffy white clouds added to the beauty of the scene, contrasted with the dark blue sky.
There were waterfalls everywhere, brimming over with their spring snow melt. My thoughts were with the guys at the top preparing the slopes for summer skiing. They will really be hoping for a drop in temperature.
On my way back in the afternoon, I stopped to look for marmots beside the waterfall because I heard them whistling, and saw two of the largest marmots I have ever seen. They must have gorged themselves on the surrounding vegetation since coming out of hibernation. My day was, at that point , absolutely perfect!
I continued up the slope, round bends, frequently thinking I had reached the top, when suddenly I came to the alps below the Schwarzberg and the tongue of the glacier. It was simply gorgeous and at the same time quite dramatic scenery.
The ice melt was milky and was in sharp contrast to the unbelievably bright yellows of the masses of flowers adorning the river banks and rocks. Stunning! Perfect picnic spot.
I have never seen so many butterflies, bees and insects as I did today. You had to be careful where you trod, to avoid crushing them. They were fabulous, and soooo busy.
As forecast, the clouds started to thicken about 2 in the afternoon and it was time to head down. What an unbelievable panorama. I didnot even have to share it with anyone! I had seen only one person during my walk up and lunch stop.
In the bottom left corner of the photo above can be seen the entrance to a tunnel built to facilitate the round trip around the lake I presume. Amazing! It is even more sophisticated than our Milford Tunnel in New Zealand, which is the only way through for the thousands of cars and buses which daily visit Milford, one of NZ's most touristy spots!
I had met a really friendly and fun British lady on the bus and she arrived to join me on the lovely restaurant terrace overlooking the lake and dam as Instopped to re- hydrate. Amazingly she had also opted for the same walk as I had, but had continued further up the glacier.
After a break we wandered down towards the end of the Allalin glacier with its myriad of waterfalls, colourful rock and fabulous surrounding alps, just a mass of colour.
Once again butterflies were prolific, with some plants, particularly clover, absolutely covered with these lovely butterflies. They do not stay still long, so I was very happy to get a shot of these two!
It is a sensational place. I really wish I had studied a little geology at school or at least listened to the geography teacher, horrible though he was!
In amongst these wonderful plants were Edelweis! This is only the second time I have seen them outside gardens, graveyards and restaurants. It was so exciting to find them.
The more we wandered, the more we found. Some were absolutely perfect, in full bloom. How sensational to have a view like this with a large clumpmof Edelweis in the foreground!
Full moon is upon us. The end of another action- packed and yet, at the same time, restful day!
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