Will be in Chamonix for 2 1/2 days first week in September. Current weather forecast indicates rain all three days. Yes, weather is unpredictable. But . . . . assuming it does rain. Is it reasonable to hike in the rain on (1) Petit Balcon Sud Trail? (2) Grand Balcon Nord Trail (3) Lac Blanc Trail? Are any or some trails OK / Not OK to hike in rain? Drizzle is probably OK, I guess. I will have rain jacket, umbrella, hiking shorts, and upper body layers for cold. Hiking poles. No rain pants. Have previously hiked Grand Balcon Nord Trail on sunny day. Thanks.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
It's over ten years since I went to Chamonix, but I doubt this issue has changed: your problem will not be rain but the fact that the balconies will be inside the cloud. Visibility will be very poor, you won't see much, and it might even be dangerous. As I understand it, it's illegal to operate a cable car if you can't see the top station from the bottom one, so they might be out of action as well.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
If the views are obscured, it just doesn't sound like a fun way to spend a day in Chamonix.
You get wet, then you get cold, the trail gets muddy, etc.
But I guess it's a matter of personal preference--nobody else has to do it except you (I assume).
Posted by
Long Beach, California, USA
3398 posts
The only reason to hike the Lac Blanc trail is the view - one of my favorites! If it's cloudy or raining it will be steep, slippery, completely socked-in, and really not worth it in my opinion.