Cross Canada and Back, Part 41

Mont-Tremblant, Québec

August 13th , day 90, Saturday, Full Moon

At 9:30 am we are at the base of the gondola at Mont-Tremblant. We take an all day ticket, and decide to ride up, but to hike down the more difficult path "Le Grand Brulé". The plan is to go back up with the gondola at noon and enjoy lunch on top of the mountain.

Taking the gondola up to the top of Mont Tremblant

Which way do we go?

Wonderful vistas

The Grand Brulé hike is 6.5 km long and very steep. Walking down steep loose rock paths over roots and boulders is strenuous. We are going slow and watch every step avoiding to twist our ankles. Our walking sticks are a great help.

Liz enjoying the vistas

Anders on his way down the mountain.

The trail is a bit rough in places. This was a good part.

As we walk along the sun comes out, and it becomes extremely hot. The weather pre-cast is for thunderstorms later on. We enjoy the hike passing through tall vegetation further down, then along a frog pond, and then the nice view points over the valley and the lake.

Passing the frog pond.

A small frog shows up

After about three hours we arrive safely down in the village. With our gondola ticket a free lunch is included on top of the mountain. So up we ride. The lunch is a sandwich, salad and a drink. It is very good.

The end in site. Mont Tremblant Village below

We must have been hungry, we did not realize that during our lunch the weather changed drastically. By the time we come outside, they closed down the gondola, a severe thunder and lightening storm is raging all around us.

Time for a break

It takes about an hour and a half until they dare to let us ride down, 8 people to a gondola between another storm front. Some hikers got caught midway on the paths up or down without proper clothing. We meet some very pale and shaky looking people.

Re-enforces that we should always be prepared when hiking. In the mountains weather can change in minutes, amazing really.

Time for a latte

The village of Mont Tremblant

Lac Tremblant

Moon is coming up on the way back to camp.

In the evening we just return to the village and relax with cookies and good Lattes and enjoy the full moon. We do not dare to go up the mountain again for the shooting star night, because of the dramatic weather.

For more pictures from this part of the trip, have a look at our web album.

Here are some shortcuts to all the blogs from our Cross Canada Trip. Just hover over the number to see where it will take you

 1,    2,    3,     4,    5,    6,    7,    8,    9,   10

11,   12,  13,  14,  15,  16,  17,  18,  19,  20

21,   22,  23,  24,  25,  26,  27,  28,  29,  29b

30,   31,  32,  33,  34,  35,  36,  37,  38,  39,

40,   41,  42,  43,  44,  45,  46,  47,  48,  49,

50,   51,  52,  53,  54,  55,  56,  57,  58,  59,

60,   61,  62,  63,  64,  65.

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