Hiking the Grosser Mythen

Grosser Mythen Summit

May is full of random middle of the week holidays for Steve, so what better to do with a beautiful day off in the middle of the week than to go for a hike in the alps right? So per our usual routine we found ourselves at 10 pm the night before looking at where in Switzerland the weather would be best (as almost anywhere can be reached as a day trip). Steve settled on a spot that was relatively close to Zurich called the Grosser Mythen.

All she needs to start the day on the train - a straw and a pair of sunglasses!

We're going to hike that "rock" today?

30 minutes into the hike a view of the valley we started in

Of course I was relatively oblivous to the fact that Steve had just made plans to do probably our most difficult hike to date, yet I think he was too. Although there are websites and iphone Apps dedicated to describing and providing facts on all these various hikes throughout Switzerland it seems that they are never quite accurate. On this particular day although we knew we would have a significant hike, we did not expect it to take double the amount of time as described. While we acknowledge that we are not the fastest hikers around with one of us carrying Emma and the other carrying a backpack with supplies for all three of us, we also are pretty sure we are not the slowest out there. Oh well, I guess our speed up allowed us to enjoy more of the views?!

Uh oh, reading the signs and checking his phone for directions

That's a sheer cliff!

Enjoying the views on the way up

Almost there!

While the 800 meter plus (2600 feet) elevation increase was challenging at times during the two hours it took us to get to the top, we were not only richly rewarded with beautiful views while hiking but I think both of our jaws dropped a little when we saw the view as we reached the summit. It was a stunning 360 degree panorama of alpine peaks intermixed with beautiful blue lakes, rivers, and alpine villages. With so many spectacular sceneries in Switzerland it's difficult to pick out just one favorite, but this spot definitely made the list of the top few places we have seen thus far.



One of a kind views all around us

Overlooking Lake Luzern

Looking back on the valley we started in

Breathtaking

Family photo time!

Just couldn't get enough of it!

We would have liked to have spent all day at the top, but instead we settled for an hour to have lunch and simply soak in the views. Emma had a blast watching the birds that were following our (and our food's) every move and getting some time to move around and practice her walking.

 

The birds were like vultures waiting for hikers to drop a bite of food

Having enjoyed our time with only a few other people at the top we finally decided it was time to make our way back down to our starting point. Being later in the day and snow still melting off nearby peaks we found ourselves during part of the hike walking through considerable water where just a few hours earlier there had been none. Needless to say by the time we got to the bottom with wet shoes, our first slight tan of the summer, and tired legs we were glad to be done. Yet without a doubt that will be hike that will not be forgotten!

What a little helper trying to hold mom's hiking poles on the way down!