Hike to Lac Bleu & Grand Balcon Nord: From Plan de l'Aiguille to Montenvers
After getting down to Plan de l’Aiguille from Aiguille du Midi, instead of going back down to Chamonix directly, I went to Lac Bleu then hiked the Grand Balcon Nord (Great North Balcony) to Montenvers above the Mer de Glace glacier.
Here is a map of the path I walked (download KML):
Lac Bleu (Blue Lake) was only a short walk away from the cable car station. At the end of June, parts of the path were still covered with snow and the lake still had a lot of ice. I ate lunch near the lake then went on my way to Montenvers. Instead of going back to the station and taking the trail through Refuge du Plan de l’Aiguille, I walked down an unmarked path from the lake to where the trail crosses with Torrent de Blaitère, below Lac Bleu. I then followed the Grand Balcon Nord trail towards Montenvers. Confusingly, despite its name, the trail is on the south side of the Chamonix valley, but the name refers to the direction it is facing: Indeed, there is a great view on the Aiguilles Rouges mountains on the north side. At a fork not far from Montenvers, I chose the trail that went up to Signal Forbes before getting down. There was a great view on Aiguille du Dru and the Mer de Glace from up there. I then reached Montenvers and took the Train du Montenvers back to Chamonix.
Above, view from Aiguille du Midi of Lac Bleu and the trail from Plan de l’Aiguille (lower left) to Signal Forbes (upper right).
Above, at Plan de l’Aiguille, the intermediate cable car station of Téléphérique de l’Aiguille du Midi.
Above, looking east to Aiguille Verte.
Above, Aiguille du Midi.
Above, on the path to Lac Bleu.
Above, Aiguilles Rouges on the north side of the valley.
Above, the path was still partly covered with snow.
Above, Lac Bleu with melting ice.
Above, Aiguille du Peigne above.
Above, alpine chough.
Above, clear blue water.
Above, on the way to join with the Grand Balcon Nord trail.
Above, the trail crossing with Torrent de la Blaitière.
Above, looking north.
Above, snow made this part tricky.
Above, the torrent.
Above, Planpraz.
Above, on the Grand Balcon Nord trail. There was a lot of water due to the melting snow.
Above, Le Brévent.
Above, the trail coming from Refuge du Plan de l’Aiguille.
Above, people planting markers for the Marathon du Mont-Blanc, that took place the next day.
Above, towards Signal Forbes.
Above, the center of Chamonix.
Above, Le Brévent and Réserve Naturelle de Carlaveyron.
Above, Aiguille de Blaitière.
Above, Aiguille du Plan.
Above, looking back at the cable car station of Plan de l’Aiguille, with Aiguille du Goûter in the background.
Above, paraglider.
Above, La Flégère below the Aiguilles Rouges.
Above, arriving at the fork to Signal Forbes.
Above, Aiguille du Midi and Dôme du Goûter.
Above, on the way to Signal Forbes, looking back at the Aiguilles and the Grand Balcon Nord trail towards Plan de l’Aiguille.
Above, Le Brévent and Planpraz.
Above, Dents du Midi in Switzerland.
Above, first view of Aiguille du Dru.
Above, Hôtel du Montenvers.
Above, Glacier du Nant Blanc.
Above, at Signal Forbes.
Above, Mer de Glace seen from Signal Forbes.
Above, Aiguille de la République.
Above, the glacier.
Above, train station of Montenvers below.
Above, trail down to Montenvers.
Above, at Montenvers.
Above, rack rail.
Above, Télécabine de la Mer de Glace.
Above, entrance of Grotte de Glace, a cavern built into the glacier. Unfortunately, it was already closed when I arrived at Montenvers.
Above, Mer de Glace seen from Montenvers.
Above, waiting for the last train to Chamonix.
Above, lower station of Chemin de Fer du Montenvers in the Chamonix valley.
Above, Chamonix train station.
Above, Mont Blanc and Dôme du Goûter.
Above, waiting for the train to Annecy.
Above, aboard the Mont Blanc Express to Saint-Gervais-les-Bains-Le Fayet.