Le col de Laurichard
Permafrost and rock glacier: a hike in the land of cold stones…
Leave the car park at the foot of Serre Orel to begin the climb towards the Combe de Laurichard.
250 m after the parking lot, the path splits into two: stay on the one that climbs towards Laurichard and leave the "crevasse interpretation trail" on your right. The slope gradually steepens until you reach the entrance to the Laurichard valley (2300 m), a mineral world par excellence. The path continues at the foot of the southeast face of the Laurichard pyramid and overlooks the imposing, dark and austere north faces of the Combeynot peaks (black rock of Combeynot and west peak of Combeynot). It is at the foot of these two mineral giants that the Laurichard rock glacier and its permafrost (permanently frozen ground) are located. Continue climbing to reach the Laurichard pass, the panorama takes in the entire massif of the Meije and the surrounding peaks (Pic Gaspard, Pointe Nérot, Bec de l'Homme, etc.).
For the descent, take the same route in reverse.
250 m after the parking lot, the path splits into two: stay on the one that climbs towards Laurichard and leave the "crevasse interpretation trail" on your right. The slope gradually steepens until you reach the entrance to the Laurichard valley (2300 m), a mineral world par excellence. The path continues at the foot of the southeast face of the Laurichard pyramid and overlooks the imposing, dark and austere north faces of the Combeynot peaks (black rock of Combeynot and west peak of Combeynot). It is at the foot of these two mineral giants that the Laurichard rock glacier and its permafrost (permanently frozen ground) are located. Continue climbing to reach the Laurichard pass, the panorama takes in the entire massif of the Meije and the surrounding peaks (Pic Gaspard, Pointe Nérot, Bec de l'Homme, etc.).
For the descent, take the same route in reverse.
