Author: Peter Taylor

Pleasant weather was forecast for this 7 men and a dog hike up to the Fruitières de Nyon from Genolier and then on to La Givrine, descent to Sus-Châtel on the little red train. Logged on an earlier reconnaissance as 11.8 km and 800m deniv.

Attending Drew (to St Cergue 530m), Mark 2Rs, Mervyn, Rob, Stephen, Thatcher, PeterT (Leader) and Kobie the Cobberdog (Leader’s assistant).

We set off shortly after 10am in sunshine. As this was Ascension day it felt good to be ascending directly from the parking above Genolier over the railway line and up the right bank of the stream called L’Oujon. It had been very dry recently and there was not a lot of water in the stream for Kobie to cool down in.

Steady progress was made upwards in a NW direction. At one point a little black mole was found by Kobie struggling in the path in the dry leaves. Happily Kobie was on the leash and could be pulled away. Others inspected the little fellow but it appeared that we had all packed enough for lunch so we let it be.

Passing up under the train line just below La Chèvrerie we reached the Arzier to St Cergue road after several halts for breath and water.

There was some cloud about so it was not too hot as we crossed the fields and up past a lunch spot of a hike a few years back. On into woods it was soon time to say farewell to Drew at 1125m as he left to traverse across to St Cergue – he made it at exactly 12.30pm – on time for his rendezvous.

The remainder of the peloton turned right and up through pleasant pine forest on a soft bike-track meeting the main trail to the Fruitières de Nyon at 1210m. It was then a pleasant short hike up the the FdN, through a field of cows at the top. Being a holiday the tables at the top (1333m) were full of families barbecuing sausages etc, so we passed through to a lunch spot on a small grassy mound just behind and above the building.

Thatcher was trying out a new medicine – RedBull. While the rest of us tasted some excellent red from Puglia then some Californian cabernet sauvignon. There were large kites circling above us – or were they vultures ?

Finally our Scottish division brought out some rather fine Tobermory. Altogether an excellent picnic among the flowers and grasses with views over the Lake and over to the Alps and Mt Blanc.

There remained an easy hike down across open fields and then forested tracks to La Givrine where we took beers and coffees while waiting for a short while for our train. The ride down was enlivened by meeting up with Rodney Allen a friend of PeterT’s, who had been hiking alone. In future he may also join our group. We were back at the cars at 3.30 or so and home in good time for a well earned siesta.

The leader would like to thank the attendees for being so (apparently) accepting of his faithful hound.

A group of 8 and a large hairy dog had signed up for this ascent of La Dôle via La Pointe de Fin Château and La Pointe de Poêle Chaud. We did not have to wait too Long for all the party to assemble at the parking at Le Coutzet (1160m) above St Cergue, in bright sunshine and promising a warm fine day, and once together we set off after the leader (PeterT) had wished good luck to each attendee. On being questioned why, PT explained that he had not actually reccied the path up the PdFC.

There was a preponderance of shorts (5-3) worn on the legs of the optimistic punters. Attending :- David, Mark2T and Mark2R, Mike, RichardW, Rob, Stephen and PeterT and his Cobberdog Kobie (on a leash all day, gamely held by Stephen most of the way up).

It was not long before we hit the first of the snow patches, nestling in the shady side of the mountain, and soon the path began to fade and the line became a bit sketchy. The trick seemed to be to read the lie of the land and not to attempt too steep a slope. Gradually a forested ridge was ascended reaching a steep snow patch which required a delicate but forceful approach. Kobie led the way and pulled Steve up into the sunshine just below the PdFC.

A nice ridge, not too airy led to the flat top of the Pointe de Fin Château (1556m), followed by a short descent to a hollow where a herd of chamois were sunbathing.

Kobie was held in check and it was not long before we were on the Poêle Chaud (1628m) itself with its Chamois king.

A leisurely descent followed to the Col de Porte (1557m). At this point Mark2rrs mentioned that the next section of path to the left and above the precipice was the most renowned for accidents in the whole of the Jura as we watched children being led up it. As such some of the party elected to take the right hand path to the west and avoid the rubbly precipice risk.

We were soon at the Dôle (1677m) and set up a lunch circle out of the breeze in a grassy hollow. Italian reds seemed to sandwich the Luins, but it was all washed down with some stronger stuff and coffee from M2T. Absent friends missed a nice lunch, and we missed them.

All too soon it was time to be off and we heading south before turning east then north. The descent was a little steep, snowy, damp and muddy and required care and it was a little while before we passed Le Chalet de la Dôle (1439m)

The return to the cars followed the easy path over the col, another snow patch and then the road in the valley below our first two peaks of the day.

A fine second hike of 2022, in great weather and fun company. And even Kobie enjoyed himself. 12km (OK a little further than billed) and 680m. No serious injuries reported.

Next Hike in 2 weeks time (I shall have to miss it).

Six and a dog to St Cergue 14 April 2022

The day dawned bright and clear. Harry called in to apologise. Which left Richard W, Mervyn, Mark 2ts, Philip, Mike and PeterT. And Kobie.

Shorts 3, Breeches 1, Trousers 2.

We assembled at 10.30 at the Trelex woods parking and set off across to and up the Trelex River.

In short order we were up to the level of the Gorge, and the weather being gorgeous and with time to spare we elected to inspect it. Sadly although there was water in the upper river, the top source itself was dry.

Kobie was behaving, because he had mostly to be kept on a leash, and we made good progress as he pulled me up to a short coffee/water stop. The worst bit was to come, rising up steadily in hot sun, then across to the Parapente Seat for a further stop. There were fine views across to Mt Blanc just visible in the haze, and the Haut Cime (heck we did that!), as well as the Jet d’Eau. It was warm.

Mark getting out the Luins

It was at this point that Mark decided to lighten his load by inviting us all to taste the latest chasselas from Luins, which indeed slipped down nicely.

Unfortunately at this point one of the party began to feel a bit feint in the heat with the wine and was swiftly revived with water. We were nearly there so we continued carefully across the cliff top path to the train station at St Cergue where lunch was taken with some suitable red provided by Mervyn.

The afternoon thunderstorm was threatening and so we duly elected to cut the walk short and descend to the valley having had the best of the day and the scenery.

There followed the excellent red train descent down the Jura enjoyed by men and dog (half-price tickets for dogs).

The party split at Genolier with half continuing to Givrins, from which there is a short walk over the river (and another dog paddle) to the cars.

I reckon about 8 km and 573m for the Givrins party, 485m for the Genoliers. A fine first day out with a good way down for those with squeaky knees. Kobie enjoyed it – thanks to each of the party for being his friend.