Another beautiful autumnal day, another hike.
This one was organised at short notice to capitalise on the unseasonably warm and clement weather. In the event eight of us were seduced by the idea of the annual amble up Le Môle, some old faithfuls and some for the first time.
Those participating: Bill, David, Mervyn, Mark 2Rs, Michael Ma, Nathan, Philip, & Ross.
Apologies for absence received from ten more, including the hiking team leader and several of his deputies. You were all missed.
The day dawned bright and we assembled at our usual muster station, the Divonne Lake parking, at 9am, all except the honorable member from Arzier who was waiting at the parking on the other side of the lake. (Note to the organiser: spell it out more clearly).
We loaded into two cars to travel the one hour journey to the start of the hike at Chez Béroud 1160m, a few kilometres beyond St Jean de Tholomé. Le Môle had been visible, a lone peak, for almost the entire journey, but from the car park was now obscured by thick forest,
The path up starts wide and stoney and with a moderately steep and steady gradient. This warmed everyone up and we were soon shedding excess layers. At a junction we wrestled with the choice between steep and very steep. Being without the “A team” members we opted for the former and in less than an hour later we reached the isolated farm at Le Petit Môle 1534m for a photo stop. We had got tantalising glimpses on the way up through the forest of the Vallée de l’Arve far below us, but now we had reached open pastures with a clear vista of the distant alpine peaks from Mt Blanc and stretching west.
The broad south facing grass covered mass Le Môle now stood before us with several path options leading to the summit. They all looked steep but the ground was dry so we headed up the middle at various pace. The breakaway group reached the top, 1863m, at 12:30 and set up camp for lunch at our usual spot – the Wine Bar (see photo). Only one bottle of Côtes du Rhône between eight this time and no sign of the GIN bottle of Many Spirits; almost a temperance hike! It was quite windy but the visibility was superb and the anticipated 360° panorama did not disappoint. This really is an exceptional vantage point and banished memories of our ascent in the fog a year earlier.
The descent took us by way of the lower summit cross, along a narrow ridge and then down a steep and rocky path. There were vestiges of snow clinging to the north facing flank, which seemed incongruous in the prevailing warm conditions, but perhaps a reminder that winter is not far off. Upon reaching the Petit Môle we retraced our, by now weary, steps to Chez Béroud. We had noticed at the start a café which one of our number with sharp eyes and an optimistic outlook thought might open at noon.
It was by now 4pm but, perhaps……….?
Yes! It was. Beers and panachés were ordered and quickly downed by us thirsty hikers as we sat outside watching the late afternoon sun set behind the trees and reflecting on a grand day out – perhaps the last of the excellent 2025 season?
Distance 10km (24,500? steps for some)
Denivelation 740m
Beers courtesy of Nathan (for which many thanks)