I had originally thought I might do a 6+ hour hike but when I got up to 1800m there were snow patches and fields in gullies and on north-facing slopes... which is where the trail to the peak goes. I don't mind walking on snow, but trudging up a steep trail in snow is another, less enjoyable, story... and I know this trail: there would have been a fair amount of that. So I sat in the sun and had an early lunch before turning and descending by the same route I had climbed. Not too much of a sacrifice -- it's a beautiful trail with spectacular views. Since I had the time, I took the opportunity to explore a side spur to the Königsstand -- more beautiful views!
Legs felt a little tired by the end of the descent, but not excessively so. No knee issues. Back in the car before the rain started. So, all in all, an excellent day!
Here are some photos....
This is the Zugspitze on the other side of the Garmisch. The sky really was that blue....
And this is one of the less salubrious hikers on the trails today....
This is the sort of trail I was hiking along for much of the time....
This is on the ridge at 1800m looking towards the peak. As you can see, despite my finger, more and more snow the higher one goes. What you can't see well is that the trail dips down to the right (the north slope)... where there is much more snow.
So after a light lunch I went back down and followed a side trail to a lookout point from which there was a beautiful view up the Loisach valley to the northeast.
The Alps are such a gorgeous place to hike....
