la Berarde (conclusion)
July 13, 1998

Past St. Christophe, the road resumes its more moderate rise, allowing me to catch my breath and take in the ever-improving scenery above and below me. The skies darkened, and with the rugged but quiet scenery around me, I felt a million miles from civilization.

(Below: Going ever deeper into the canyon...)

About 5 miles from la Berarde, the road gets even narrower, too narrow even for a bike and a car to pass each other comfortably. This stretch was a little nerve wracking because the road's outer side is on a very steep, exposed cliff. The drop-off must have been 800 feet at its highest point. I found myself leaning towards the inside to counteract a feeling of vertigo.

(Above: The narrow stretch of road leading to la Berarde)

Soon I started to go downhill. The road emerged alongside a very pretty wildflower-laden meadow. July being spring at higher elevations, I must have hit the wildflowers at their peak--yellow, lavender, red, blue--it was a riot of colors.

(Below: The road as it passes a meadow just below la Berarde)

Finally, I got to the end of the road at la Berarde (5,600 feet). It's not much of a settlement, really--a campsite, a couple of houses, a restaurant/inn. But the place was crawling with hikers and backpackers headed for the trails that go up to the glaciers of nearby high peaks. I sat down at the restaurant and very conveniently satisfied my body's craving for sodium and sugars by ordering crepe chocolat and a plate of frites. I made a mental note of the place and decided to come back one day as a hiker to explore the peaks yonder. Rain clouds started moving overhead. Soon, I started to feel big raindrops so I hurriedly got back on my bike for the mostly downhill ride back to Bourg d'Oisans.

(Below: Approaching la Berarde)