On a fine morning, Sue and I caught the same bus as Gill and George for the short ride to Lähn.
This was Collett's route H4. After warming up by way of a gentle stroll beside the railway, our path lurched into a steep forested hillside. The gradient wasn't too assertive and we soon reached an open meadow. Gill and George were walking at our pace and we had the pleasure of their company for the entire walk.
Most unusually, from time to time I found myself ahead!
Views opened out as we rose above the valley, with good views across the valley to Almkopf where we had been a couple of days ago.
Arriving at the Bichlbacher Alm, we were greeted by rabbits and chickens and were pleased to find it open, though the coffee was horribly overpriced and not that nice. We were the only customers. The season must be ending.
After more well graded ascent through forest, we arrived at a steep meadow that eventually leveled out near a colony of curious marmots.
The views back to the valley from which we had risen were wonderful.
Nearby on the steep meadow, shepherds were gathering livestock in preparation for its return to winter quarters in the valley. Sheep, cattle and horses were involved.
There was much activity on the steep meadows to the right in the next picture, and from near here we could hear birdsong from crested tits, wrens, and more.
On reaching Grüner Ups, Sue posed by the cross and an executive decision was made not to climb a few hundred metres more to reach the 2340 metre summit of Daniel.
The Zugspitze massif lurked majestically in the background.
The path descended now for virtually the rest of the day.
There were meadows full of seed heads of Woolly Thistles.
Tuftl Alm was reached, above which a small chapel contained a few memorials.
There was a good view of the Alm from the chapel.
We spent the best part of an hour here. The hut was closed but some bottled drinks had been left out, with an honesty box stuffed with money. We took advantage of this and enjoyed our lunch on a table outside the hut.
Eventually we pottered off to a nearby viewing platform.
The views were superb. A raven floated overhead.
The forecast rain held off as we descended steeply through woodland to Ehrwald.
Norway Spruce dominated the forest, though some oak and other varieties were present.
George went ahead to deal with urgent business whilst Sue and Gill lingered over attempts to photograph butterflies, etc. (See contemporaneous 'flower' posting for details.)
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