July 14 2007 Salanfe Hutte to the Barrage d’Emosson
Route from Salanfe Hutte to Trient
Note: The last section of the traverse from Montreux to Chamonix described in this chapter ends at Trient, where it intercepts the route from Chamonix to Zermatt described in the final chapter.
After a good sleep and yet another hearty breakfast of cheese and granola I set off from the Salanfe Hutte at 7:30 and headed out along the path that followed the south side of the lakeshore for about three quarters of a mile before reaching a trail marker which pointed the way to Lac d’Emosson. The first section of the trail led up through heather benches and alongside a small stream for about a half an hour until reaching several gentle snowfields which led up to the Col d’Emaney (9:00; ca. 8075 feet). From here a step trail led down into the Vallon d’Emaney. Once in the valley another tail junction was reached and I took the trail marked Col de Barberine which immediately started the long 1600 foot climb back up through cliff bands and, waterfalls and snowfields to the Col de Barberine (11:00; 8140 feet).
Once at the Col de Barberine the view exploded into a vista of the Lac d’Emosson in the foreground and the Mont Blanc Range behind. This col was well worth the effort needed to reach it. After enjoying the view for a while, I once again shouldered my pack and set off down the step south side of the col on a trail that led down to the lake. I descended steadily for about an hour eventually reaching a track which ran along the lakeshore (12:00; ca. 6340 feet). Just before reaching the east end of the lake and the Barrage (dam) d’Emosson the trail led through a long tunnel before emerging at a restaurant and tourist stop near the dam. From here a road and a trail led down into the valley about 2600 feet below and to the main road connecting Chamonix and Martigny.
Before starting down the trail to the valley and beyond to Trient I enjoyed a tall beer and a plate of Wiener schnitzel. I gave my poor old legs a much needed rest. At about 1:30 I started down the trail to the valley floor. From there it was only another hour of valley hiking around to the small village of Trient.
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- On the trail up to the Col d’Emaney
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- The Col d’Emaney looking back toward the Lac de Salanfe
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- Looking across the Vallon d’Emaney toward the Col de Barberine
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- View from the Col de Barberine toward Mont Blanc in the distance
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- View over the top of the Barrage d’Emosson toward the Mont Blanc range
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- View from the Barrage d’Emosson toward Mont Blanc
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