Macugnaga

While most of the people in our group are from the US, six are European. One of those had researched an interesting region nearby and invited a few of us to join him for a hike.

It's all so scenic. Even the drinking water..

We did see the occasional cyclist on the climb to the town of Macugnaga, but the drive from our home base took more than an hour. We skirted the town, heading straight for the cable car (La Regina dei Ghiacci, the Ice Queen) that would carry us almost to the top of the ridge.

Almost. It drops you off at an elevation of 9,465 feet. The Madonna delle Nevi (Madonna of the Snows) sits higher on the ridge at the Passo del Monte Moro.

We traversed a few snow fields before making our way up the rock.

It helps to be sure-footed. I was glad I'd brought my gloves, not just for the cold but to protect my hands as I gripped a chain to pull myself upward. The logs (held in place by iron rods driven into the rock) played more of a role on the way back down.

At these heights, the weather is always a factor. Would we see anything when we made it to the top, or would we be wrapped in a cloud?

The ridge is, more or less, the Italian/Swiss border. For a time, we had a clear view of the reservoir at the Mattmark Dam, and we chatted with a hiker who climbed up from the Swiss side.

And, of course, we got a close look at the golden statue.

As the clouds descended above our heads, it was prudent to head back down.

The summit of Monte Rosa was obscured, but we could see the base of the Belvedere glacier at the foot of the mountain. A few mountain goats were studying the view, too.

We had time for more exploring, so we headed toward Monte Rosa. An expeditious pair of chairlifts carried us partway up the mountain.

We hiked through the forest, and popped out on a narrow trail.

Stretched below us was the vast field of scree deposited by the Belvedere glacier.

As tempting as it was to hike down, it seemed dicey.

The trail was steep, and the surface was loose rock. We watched a pair of hikers (with poles) climb up, but it was our descent (without poles) that worried me.

We turned back and enjoyed an afternoon treat with a view, instead.