The clouds have gone and it’s sunny again. We drive to the closer end of the Soulcem lake and stop by the dam.
The path goes flat by the hill-side for a km or so. Then turns right and goes steeply up to the first lake Picot (Etang du Picot). Up to the first lake we are in the shadow of the mountain, the sun appears only after. The second, third and the fourth lake Picot follows one by one higher and higher up the path. We follow the path above the 4th lake to the pass. We had to use a couple of short via ferratas to get there.
We descend by another path. The path goes through rocks and we get lost a couple of times. Driving back we get in the middle of the sheep flock. Fortunately they don’t have large and sharp horns.
I’s rainy and the mountains are covered by clouds. We decide to go to the neighboring valley – across two passes (Port de Lers and Col d’Agne) and through the fog to Aulus les Bains.
We leave the car in the road bend near Aulus les Bains and move on by the mountain road to Cascade d’Ars. The road transforms gradually to the mountain path. The wood-grouse stands close to the path and does not mind our presence.
The waterfall is visible from the path now and then. There are several of them in fact. The last one is spectacular – the water falls from considerable height. We climb up to the top of the waterfall (1500m high) and get close to the place were the river falls down into abyss.
Next we proceed by the forest path to the lake Guzet. The lake is surrounded by forest and we did not manage at once to find the way to it. The path we found is steep and slippery still we get to the lake. It is charming indeed – different as other Pyrenees lakes we have seen (they normally go with meadows and rocks).
The way down is a long journey. The last stage of the track goes through long ago deserted village by a long ancient road laid out with stones covered in moss. The road is located near the stream Riviere de Fouilett.
On the way back we get on the way of the herd. The cows have impressive horns. The horns are straight and directed sideward. We feel relieved when they are gone and the only damage they have done is the bent off rear view mirror.
Savā naktsmītnē ciema mērijā atgriežamies labā garastāvoklī un ar noliektu atpakaļskata spogulīti.
Getting up at 6.30am. Still sunny. On the way to Gaulier ski resort (the starting point of our track) we notice pheasants close to the road. It’s a pity the camera is in the car boot – while Ilze gets it the pheasants have gone.
The track follows the ski run then turns right and goes uphill to Pic de Sarrasi summit. Next we have to ascend by the mountain ridge. The path is rather steep and goes through rocks and stones. A pair of vultures circle above our heads (waiting for the take?). There is a wall to hide from the window on the top of the Pic d’Endron. We enjoy the gorgeous views to the mountains and lakes around.
Then we go by the mountain ridges to Pic du Bresoul and further down to the car.
Getting up at seven a.m. A gorgeous sunny weather. We take off to lake Soulcem and leave the care in parking place Ori de Carla at the end of the lake.
We start to ascend in the shadow of the hill – it’s chilly and windy. After a half hour climb we get into sunshine – it gets warmer and soon it is rather hot. We are not alone – a couple of other groups are around (not a surprise for Saturday). We see black horses, flocks of sheep and herds. It is sort of crowdy by the lake (Etang de la Soucarrane) – a nice place to have a picnic. We join others for the while and then follow to lake Roumazet and back to the parking place.
Track to Pic des Trois Seigneurs starts near Port de Lers pass. The right parking place is couple of km before the pass but we manage to miss it. So we take another one right on the pass.
The weather is perfect. Sunny and yet not very hot. The path is flat and easy at the beginning then gradually get’s steeper and rocky. On the way to summit we pass lake Arbu (Etang d’Arbu). On the summit some local hiker shows the Montcalm summit – one of the Ariege’s highest (a bit over 3000m) and popular. It is covered in snow – a rare phenomenon for the first decade of September.
We descend by another path over the mountain ridges. Legs are trembling when we are back to our car – the last section of the track was very long and steep.
