12.2. miles 2298′ ascent 4732′ descent
We were blessed with another gorgeous day, and the Wetterhorn Gruppe was in full view.The decision was made to follow the mid mountain trail rather than go high. Thankfully, we missed that trail and ended up on the high route which was splendid. As we came over a grassy knoll, Tannensee appeared before us which was another awe inspiring sight! We met a couple here who assured us that we had “chosen” the best trail as long as we had a head for heights.
The path zig zagged up the mountain and finally we were on top of the world walking along a narrow crest with a 360 view!
We summited Balmeregghorn and then followed a belvedere, walking alongside the contour of the mountain until we reached Planplatten, a good lunch stop.
Planplatten is in the heart of a large ski area with a restaurant, cable car station and many ski runs in all directions. We chatted with the couple we had met earlier in the day who were also at the cable station for lunch.
We began a long descent which would eventually take us to Meiringen. Along the way we met a Swiss man who had spent his school days in Lodi, California. We walked with him until we reached the resort town of Reuti. He treated us to a cold drink before we boarded the cable car to take us the rest of the way down the mountain. This was a welcome relief to our knees!
We stayed in a hostel that was full of kids on a school trip. The students were wild and uncontrolled. The owners of the hostel were exhausted trying to deal with them and put us in a quiet corner room to give us some peace.
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