Mountain hikes in the Wetterstein and the Mieminger chain Jul 7-13, 2007

Mountain range: Wetterstein and Mieminger mountains

Deutsche Version

7.7.: Parking place of Ehrwalder-Alm-Bahn cable way (1108 m); hiking the Hoher Gang to Seebensee lake and further on to the Coburg hut (1917 m). Ascent to Tajatörl (2259 m), descent hiking Ganghofersteig to Ehrwalder Alm (1502 m, overnight stay)
1150 m 750 m

Abbildung: A view from the Tajatoerl to Northeast. The Ganghofer trail leads you back to the Gaistal valley.

8.7.: Descent back to parking place of cable lift. We shift to the valley station of the Tiroler Zugspitz cable lift (1228 m). On a labelled trail it goes upwards to the Wiener-Neustädter hut (2216 m). In the upper part of the trail some wire cables and wooden passages. From the summit near by the hut impressing view to Ehrwald and Lermoos villages as well as to the north to Eibsee lake. The hut is quite simple equipped, the roof of the sleeping hut uses to clang during Foehn. On the other hand it is rustic and the personal encouragement of the host leaves no questions, especially with regard to solid meals.
1070 m 400 m

Abbildung: On the left a view from top of the summit nearby the Wien-Neustadt-hut down to Eibsee lake at the time between the thunderstorms. Right side: The western side of the Zugspitz.

9.7.: No promising prospects concerning weather for today ... heavy, lasting rain and temperature decrease, snow at higher altitudes. The question is: will there be acceptable conditions at least until noon ? Nowcasting exercise on top of the nearby summit at 6:30 reveales slight more optimistic view. According to that we start at 7:40 to climb Zugspitze summit via Stopselzieher trail (Stopselzieher = an austrian term for corkscrew). It is convenient to climb, the lime stone still has a good grip. Slightly above of the 'concrete monsters' of the old cable lift the trail meets the western Zugspitz ridge. Noises coming from whatever work at the Zugspitzplatt raise associations with boomtown traffic. But, if you are looking for the empty wideness, then you are wrong on Zugspitz summit anyhow. The witty host of the Munich hut is quite depressed about the wet and cold summer weather: snow shuffling is foreseen, again. 50 cm new snow until next morning. Quick descent using cable lift and shift to Garmisch. Facing heavy rain in the afternoon, we - supplemented by our guests from Sweden - decide to choose the convenient way to Kreuzeck, the cable lift, despite of the sceptical remarks of the woman behind the ticket window.
825 m

Abbildung: At least no rain at that time ...

10.7.: Snow down to below 2000 m asl. We start at rainy conditions at Kreuzeck hut (1651 m), rain will sometimes intensifying, sometimes pretending to end, at certain times falling down mixed with wet snow. On the Bernadeinsteig trail it goes in the beginning quite plain, later on steep down through forest to the Bockhütte hut (1072 m). Weather plays an important role for the temper of all participants. It could be verified again after sun took over ... Approaching Reintalanger hut (1369 m). Highlight of the evening there is the post-dinner music presented by Charly Wehrle and his team.
300 m 600 m

Abbildung: Hut charm at the Reintalanger hut (courtesy of Henrik)

11.7.: Ascent to Knorr hut (2051 m), located at the eastern boundary of the Zugspitzplatt, from time to time accompanied by light rain showers. Beergarden feeling missed at 8 degrees.
700 m

12.7.: Passing Gatterl (2024 m, German-Austrian border), Feldernjöchle (2045 m), Am Brand (2110 m), then descending to the beautiful Gaistal (valley), rest at Hochfeldernalm (1732 m). Sun succeeds over rain and graupel showers. It goes further on following Via Alpina to Seebenalm (1575 m, rest), passing Seebensee lake and finally ascending to Coburg hut (1917 m). Before sunset side trip to Vorderer Drachenkopf (2303 m, I+, 3rd ascent, see also here), the nearby summit of the Coburg hut.
600 m (+385 m) 450 m (+385 m)

Abbildung: Left: looking back to Reintal valley from the Zugspitzplatt. Right side (courtesy of Henrik): Rapidly changing illumination conditions while walking from Knorr hut to Ehrwald gate.

Abbildung: The sun close to sunset, a view to Tannheim mountains from the summit front Dragonhead (left). Right side: about the same time looking to Seebensee lake and the Zugspitz massif.

13.7.: Descent from the Coburg hut to the upper station of Ehrwalder-Alm-Bahn (cable lift). Rest at the Ehrwalder Alm (1502 m). Farewell at Garmisch-Partenkirchen central station: all the best and maybe again at some time !
415 m
'After work' activity, nearby the way home, a solo tour to Säuling .