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With the end of the snow-shoe season and our dear Snow-Shoe Leader in Dubai/on his way home from Australia, snow had returned to the Jura with a vengeance. After the daffodil visit two weeks ago, here was the white stuff again..!

Time then to return to Mamac near La Cure for a trifon or three!

12 signed up for this. Richards Saynor and Wiley, Roberts O’Riordan and Pashley, Peters Strebel and Taylor (blogger), Larry, Andrew, Philip, Mark2ts, David, Mervyn. No dogs !

I had advised that snow-shoes would not be necessary, and perhaps in the end this was just the case, but it was close. At one point we almost lost RobP in a drift.

We set off at 10.30 am or so from La Givrine having set our Easypark Apps to pay the arm-and-a-leg at the parking (there were very few others). The initial direction was vaguely towards La Genolière but at the forest we set off up left towards the Pré du Four chalet.

At one point a cattle grid appeared in the road, with a little snow on the bars. Larry decided to show us how to perform a Canadian forward roll after trying to use his sticks in the middle of the grid as he tottered forward. Happily he rolled over onto the far side of the grid with only his pride hurt and a stick down in the grid. Larry “Cattle Grid” French he will be. Philip was about to try to repeat this feat but we managed to dissuade him.

We soon safely reached the Pré du Four (1395m and our high point) where we found a suitable sofa..

It was time for Apèros and Larry had brought a bottle from near Morges (not broken in the Canadian Roll), plus nuts ! And some rosé appeared. And RichardS was still hawking the Poire William of Daffodil hike fame.

As we were enjoying our libations a section of the chalet roof’s covering of snow and ice came loose and careered down on startled drinkers who managed to jump out of the way. Happily not much was spilt. Second safety incident survived.. phew!

Happily there was no rush to get to the restaurant as we had plenty of time, so we gradually reformed and set off downwards to Les Coppettes in thickening snow, that must have drifted.

As we descended the snow level reduced and it became quite pleasant. On the right we noticed some eery and snowy shapes, the subject of some conjecture.

Whatever they were, we were allowed safe passage and soon were down at Mamac.

Beers, wines and trifons duly arrived, with bread and boiled potatoes. A couple of our team went for the healthy option – sausage and lentils.

There was much discussion and banter, dictums and Keats, even Shakespeare quotations. Suffice to say that it will remain in confidence.

RobertO left early to catch a train, while the remnant 11 took coffee and then trundled out in still reasonably bright but cold conditions for the final trek back up to the cars. On the way nobody fell over, for a change.

Thanks to Mark for the final coffees !

A fine hike, repeating almost that of 1 February when the Snow-Shoe Team found only grass. 10.5km and 321m.

I must have missed essential events/discussion points/dictums etc. Would participants please add them in leaving their comments.

This was the start of the hiking season, following the ending of the snow shoe season at the end of March.

Mark2ts had checked out the daffodils a few days earlier (before the snow returned) and had written:-

“Gentlemen,

I will lead the hike next Thursday. It will be from la Givrine to Sonnailley via La Dôle. 

Distance 14km, height gain ~700m.

The intent is to see the daffodils at Sonnailley close to being at their best. I’ve tried this hike the last 2 years but been too late each time so we’ve been met with a host of golden dandelions. Hopefully this time will be better. I was there yesterday and they were close to being in full bloom.

I assume this is suitable for dogs. The cows are not yet up there so the fences should not yet be energised. “

This seemed a good promise but at least one member was not a believer and had written :-

“Well, there weren’t any daffodils on the last two occasions so I’m going to pass this time.

Besides. it’s still the ski season and I’ll be in Saas Fee.”

Clearly, while the fences were not energized, neither was the Hiking Group and there must have been a number of other non-believers because only four and a dog signed up. The absentees missed a fabulous outing.

It was cold and windy but sunny as we fiddled with the parking apps at La Givrine (it was over CHF10 per car for 10 am to 4 pm or so). Attending :-

Flower expert – Mark2ts with RichardS, Nathan and Kobie and me (PeterT).

There was now snow in sight as we set off – but this would change as we ascended past Couvaloup (FERMÉ) and up the trails to the upper ski slope. Added to the cold was the wind which rose as we rose. Happily I found that I had at least one glove, whereas Richard (who rarely uses them) had none.

We found ourselves at the foot of the North Face of La Dôle, but it somehow seemed a bit more serious than just that, in the biting wind. This was verging on a snow shoe outing without snow shoes.

We made steady progress up the interminable snow slope, passing a man with his 5 year old grandson, clearly being hardened for higher things. The north wind was cold and strong.

At least the wind seemed to die down a little in the lee of the ridge and the snow was fresh and powdery. Once out onto the summit by the radar dome there was a sudden appearance of grass and a warmer feel.

It was in the partial lee of the wind, by the radar dome, that a bottle of Luins appeared as well as a number of crunchy apèros. The view was spectacular. Somewhere out there a GIN skier was sliding down a mountain instead of having a snifter with us. We drank to the health of Harry who was having a surgical procedure that day.

Now that the hard part was done we were able to relax a bit and we hopped and skipped along the summit path and down the ridge towards the French border (and the location of our famous June 2020 encounter).

As we exited the forest and among the crocuses we looked over the valley to the promised daffodil fields, but from this distance we could see no bright yellow flutterings at all. Just a bit of lighter green.

It was not long however before we began to have hallucinations – were those indeed the daffodils coming into focus? As we approached the unexpected bunches increased until a full host of golden daffodils enveloped us. We had succeeded on the third attempt, to find the holy golden grail.

We reached the Yellow Hill of the promised land for lunch where we settled down among the bunches.

It was a sunny spot, the wind had died down and the sun was shining and warming us. A pleasant sandwich lunch followed, washed down with white, red and Poire Williams. We raised a glass to the health of absentees, the majority of the hiking group…

Kobie had his own food but that did not stop him attempting to acquire more. Nathan fell asleep at one point. It was a very pleasant lunch spot. As good as it gets. And then Mark brought out his strong, black, unsweetened coffee.

It was after an hour or so of sun soaking that we heaved oursleves onto our feet and set off up the very pleasant trail that led back towards La Givrine. The wooded and stony trail is very pleasant here and with the warm sun and easy slope we enjoyed a pleasant stroll back up and over to Couvaloup. It was here that we could have had a beer or coffee, but it was closed.

We hobbled back down to the vehicles, our backs warmed by the sun. We had toiled through cold wind and snow up to the sunshine, a warming afternoon and had indeed seen the holy grail of the hosts of daffodils.

Indeed about 14km and close to 700m give or take – but Richard reckoned it was 681m. Thanks Mark for a great hike and for providing proof that the yellow wonders do indeed exist around Sonnailleys.