This time we had an earlier start and headed to Chartreuse. We parked the car on the church parking lot in Le Tournoud, in Commune de St. Pancrasse. There was a memorial for the “children” of the community who had deceased in WWII, referred to as “les Petites Roches.” I guess they were named after the rocks of the Plateau des Petites Roches, and not the other way around.

Dent de Crolles receives the first rays of the rising sun.

This was the coldest morning we had experienced in any of our hiking trips so far. It was about -6C degrees in Grenoble, but closer to -10C in Le Tournoud (1000m) at 9am. when we started the climb. It took a while for us to warm up. A long while, especially for the digits.

The air got warmer as the slope and we got more exposed to the sunshine.

Approaching Col des Ayes at 1538m.

A view to the north from the pass, Roc D’Arguille on the left (I guess).

We had lunch with a hazy view to Gresivaudan valley.

Even on this chilly morning there was quite a crowd climbing to Dent de Crolles.

We had no intention to continue that way, but took a longer, forested detour back to Le Tournoud. Here is one of the last views of Dent de Crolles. Believe or not, but that’s the face where the trail goes up.

Beautiful Belledonne.

One more glimpse back. Next time we’ll be here when the snow has melted and the sun is not yet sweltering.