Finally reaching the flower filled bowl on the left route to Le Reculet.

Stopping for a break and, with some persuasion, a photo.

The trail climbs through the flowers and out of the bowl, heading toward snow patches and a smaller bowl just below the peak.

Many people hike up to this area and picnic on or against one of the many cubic rocks scattered among the flowers.

In constrast to Giulia, Franscois likes to have his picture taken (but he's no Pascale). We are approaching the first snow patches, but despite recieving many inches of snow two weeks ago they were not a significant obstacle.

Snow melts away and makes for a muddy trail. Though heavily used, this is not a heavily engineered trail like most back in Washington State. There are no diversions for the water and so spring makes the trail into a stream.

Looking back toward Mont Blanc and Geneva as we crest the first bowl.

Shy Giulia with her new haircut. It turned out to be not as short as I imagined.

Francois and Francois's hat. It was a windy day so the chin strap he fixed up after an initial brush with hat-off-cliff danger is essential.

Giulia and Francois on the trail as it switches back and climbs right to the base of the overhanging cliffs riddled with small caves.

Under the overhanging cliffs.

Francois and Giulia at the short steep climb from under the rock overhang to the final stroll up to the peak.

On of many lizards lingering near the edge of snow very close to the peak. Understandably, they were a bit sluggish and I almost stepped on them.

The peak, marked by a lattice metal iron cross, is in sight.

I found a very cozy configuration of sod and rock and reclined back to enjoy the view. Small ladybugs were climbing all over me.