Trippieness

Wengen, Switzerland

July 25: Two hikes, opposite sides of the Grindelwald valley

Walk 1, Morning hike: First to Gross Scheidegg

After taking lots of transportation getting to First (we rest up while we're riding), we're onto a gentle trail that we share with a steady stream of other hikers. Check out the views of the surrounding mountains!

Jim, Kevin and Lynn relax on the gondola ride up to First. Paragliders are filling the sky.

Haying everywhere.

Destination, Gross Scheidegg

I hang back to get some photos with Kevin, Jim, and Lynn in them.

Hey, how'd I get in these photos?

Love the musical cows. Watch where you step.

We'll be hiking on the lower flank of one of those other mountains later today.

These guys prepped their glider, then launched it over the dropoff.

We wait for the bus at Gross Scheidegg restaurant. Our 6-day transportation pass is getting a major workout today. We're riding downhill a couple of miles to the Wetterhorn Hotel parking lot bus stop.

Walk 2, afternoon walk: Wetterhorn Hotel parking lot to Phingstegg

We're on to our next walk. It's on the opposite side of the valley from our morning walk.

Wetterhorn Mtn. runoff from (glacier?) snow and rain. Major flood area right here. No concern today.

Trail stop, perched on the mountainside. We brought our own snacks, but pause here to catch our breath and rest our knees.

Lynn cannot believe that she emerged from one long dark tunnel on the trail only to have to go into another one! This one's short and light, though. Water from the mountain seeps through the walls and ceiling.

Phingstegg is just around the bend...and up a steep hill. It's a happening place for families--toboggan run, picnic areas, restaurant with a killer view from the dining deck. And the tram goes down to Grindelwald.