Tour de Mont Blanc

6/30 Stage 4: Les Contamines – Col du Bonhomme – Col de la Croix – Refuge du Bonhomme

30 8:55a left Les Contamines started up the road toward the chapel at Notre-Dames de la Gorge. We continued on this road until it took a sharp right turn and crossed the river. At the right hand turn we went straight ahead on a good broad and level path that followed the Bon Nant stream among trees. After about 30 minutes we reached a junction of paths near the chapel of Notre-Dames de la Gorge (1210m – 3970ft). Continuing on, the track steepened as we hiked another mile and a quarter to Refuge du Nant Borrant (1460m – 4790ft) (10:00a – 10:30a). Here we had a quick snack before continuing on a mile and a half to Chalet La Balme (1706m – 5597ft) (11:10a – 11:40a) and another rest stop. From the Chalet La Balme we continued up the valley on a jeep track for about two minutes before turning left and ascending steeply over rough ground with stony zigzags until we reached a bluff with an electricity pylon. A short way past the pylon the trail passed through a small basin known as the Plan Jovet and then climbs through a narrow rocky section to the Plan des Dames were we added a stone to the pile of stones that is said to mark the spot where an English woman perished during a storm.

Once past the Plan des Dames we continued to the head of the valley and up to the Col du Bonhomme (2329m – 7641ft) (1:05p) where there is a small wooden shelter. The col itself is a broad grassy saddle between the Rocher du Bonhomme and Bancs de la Pennaz, with good views down through the Val Montjoie to the north, and Vallon de la Gittaz to the southwest. From the col the trail veered left and began rising once more into a wilder, stonier, area of scree and rocks and a few snow patches. About 45 minutes from the Col du Bonhomme we arrived at the Col de la Croix du Bonhomme (2483m – 8146ft). Just beyond the Col and slightly down we reached the Refuge du Bonhomme (2443m -8015ft) (2:20p). Here we stopped for the night and were entertained by a nice afternoon thunderstorm. After dinner we were treated to the musical talents of the hut staff.