August, 2026
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Oisans and Hautes-Alpes
Having not been back to Oisans for ages, we go up to sleep on the heights of Alpe d’Huez.
1. The next day, at the Col of Sarenne, a small road offering beautiful views.
Although a gate stops VLV from accessing the Emparis Plateau, we try to get there from the opposite side, above the small station of Chazelet.
2. We ride our mountain bikes up the valley towards the Refuge of Pic du Mas de la Grave.
3. Last hamlet of Rivet du Pied below the face of La Meije.
4. The valley is beautiful despite the traces of recent storms.
5. Despite Emile’s good health, it’s too late to reach our goal.
6. We head back down, not without stopping for a few photos..
7. Looking for a place to sleep, we discover that there is a small lake above the road to Lautaret Pass and we go to the parking lot, below the lake.
8. Lake Poncet is beautiful and almost without people at the end of the day.
We sleep below the Lautaret Pass where a flock of sheep visits us at sunset.
The following day, we climb to Granon Pass and take our mountain bikes to explore the Fort of Olive, a vestige of the past.
9. Discovery of underground barracks beneath the fort.
10. Arriving at the fort after a steep climb.
11. It is still well preserved.
12. We set off again towards VivaLaVida while the wind is blowing hard.
13. Descent before the climb back up to the Granon Pass.
14. The view to the East, above the Claree valley.
15. In the distance, Mont Thabor and Pass of Thures which we discovered last summer, at Lake Chavillon.
16. We sleep below the Granon Pass, all of whose spots are now closed to campers…
I’ll tell you the rest shortly. 😀
Grand-Serre and Pierre Percée Arch
From the Grand-Serre ski slopes, we decide to go over the Pass of Alpe du Grand Serre, descend into the valley behind and then cross the Pass of Olliet. On the steep slope leading to the pass, recent storms had carved out deep gullies and at a narrow passage, VLV’s right rear wheel slip slightly and slide into a deep gully. It is so deep that the rear axle is resting on the differential housing as the wheel is spinning in the air.
1. Uncomfortable position! The picture doesn’t show it but the slope is really steep.
2. Bad posture.
The only way to get VLV out of this bad stept is to fill the ravine with rocks. It works and an hour later, VLV is free .
I don’t go for a second attempt and decide to follow another trail to Parché Pass.
3. From Parché Pass where we have our picnic.
4. After a rather exposed descent, we arrive at Pierre Percee Arch in the middle of the afternoon.
5. Amazing to find an arch in the middle of a pasture…
6. We find a nice spot to sleep nearby, up in the hills.
7. Alpine pasture and small lake.
8. We have a beautiful view to the south and the Dévoluy massif.
9. Low-angled light as the sun sets soon.
10. Herd at sunset.
We’ll be back with the next update shortly. 😉
D5 Creation