Swiss Alps in the Spring-Some Questions

Old Jan 17th, 2017, 11:09 AM
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Swiss Alps in the Spring-Some Questions

We just came back from a winter trip to Zermatt. It was glorious. Always wanted to be in rhe Alps in winter and it didn't disappoint.
We have also wanted to go in the Spring for waterfalls and valley and mountain flowers.
Normally Spring is a terrible time for us to go away as my husband is crazy busy. But this year it seems that Memorial Day and a Jewish holiday may make it possible.

So. Can we expect to get the rushing waterfalls and flowers the last week of May? (May27-June1). Thinking of the BO (which we've been to before), but if you have another recommendation, I'd love to hear it.

We have $600 in evouchers from AA so we're flying with them even though they're pretty awful.
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Old Jan 17th, 2017, 11:59 AM
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The higher elevation hiking trails may still be closed in late May, but otherwise it's a fabulous time to go. See you there!
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Old Jan 17th, 2017, 12:08 PM
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What is "awful" about 600 bucks?
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Old Jan 17th, 2017, 12:26 PM
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We were in the Berner Oberland last June (arrived June 10) and that proved to be a little too early for the high mountain trails (specifically, for the Mannlichen-Kleine Scheidegg trail). However, I was told that this was unusual, so your timing might work out if we get more typical weather. You'll certainly get waterfalls. Not sure about what will and won't be blooming at that time. If that's what fits your schedule, I'd go for it.
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Old Jan 17th, 2017, 01:19 PM
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Dukey1 - What's "awful" is that the plane we took to Zurich was about 35 years old and had no audio! Ironically, the film they showed on their overhead drop down screen was "The King's Speech". Also no lights. Seven hours in the dark. Additionally, coming home the flight was cancelled and while an AA agent supposedly rebooked after we called and they called us back 1.5 hours later, (on an Air Berlin fight we had to tell her about because she couldn't find it herself), when we got to the airport there was no booking for us! We finally went to a private ticket agent and bought tickets to get us home. So AA is giving us $300/each in evouchers.

Anyway, hope to see some flowers. Edelweiss and anything else?
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Old Jan 17th, 2017, 01:25 PM
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Edelweiß is extremely rare and you are very very unlikely to find it in the wild.

For Alpine wildflowers that grow at high altitudes, May is too early. Fresh snow in early June is not unusual at all at 2000 m and higher. Second half of June and July will be better for the Alpine flora.
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Old Jan 17th, 2017, 01:51 PM
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So are you saying there won't be any flowers at all? Unfortunately we can only go at the time I've stated.
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Old Jan 17th, 2017, 02:18 PM
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There will be no tulips in the flower fields but lots of pulchritudinous blooms all spring and summer- just as nice IMO. But tulips, grown for bulbs mainly, will be all pulled up by then with other flowers in place grown for their bright flowers exported all over the world from nearby Schiphol airport.

There is a famous indoor humongous flower auction at Aalsmeer near Schiphol that you can visit in mornings when the action is at its height:

https://www.google.com/search?q=Aals...w=1745&bih=864
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Old Jan 17th, 2017, 02:22 PM
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Oops- posted by mistake thru thinking it was about Holland.

check out the Alpine Garden at Schynige Platte- mountain train goes there from near Interlaken and Grindelwald:

https://www.google.com/search?q=alpi...w=1745&bih=864

If into rather serious hike hike down towards Grindelwald from Schynige Platte!
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Old Jan 17th, 2017, 02:34 PM
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Pal-I did get a bit confused when I read your first response.
Been to Schnygge Playte twice, both times in Sept. I see it opens May 27 this year so if we want to we can go again.

Anyone-Would it be better to go to, say, Saas Fee?
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Old Jan 17th, 2017, 04:57 PM
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I began a month in Switzerland on May 30, 2013, with an unusual snow and freezing temperatures in / around Geneva. I'm told that fresh snow a few days later in Gruyere was also unusual. I was in the Bernese Oberland during the 4th week of June; the Mannlichen / Kleine Scheidegg trail was closed because of a recent avalanche. I was fortunate to encounter good weather almost everywhere else I traveled, but I suspect a big part of that was luck. I think you would need to be prepared for inclement weather if you choose to travel during that last week of May. Wildflowers of various types were in prolific bloom throughout most of the areas I visited, and the waterfalls of the Bernese Oberland were spectacularly full.

You might get some ideas from my trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...any-thanks.cfm

Good luck!
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Old Jan 18th, 2017, 06:22 AM
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kja - I looked at your trip report. Thanks so much. You really got around!

I think I'm going to book this trip.

Guess we'll have to bring hiking boots in case we go to the upper regions and there's snow, as well as our usual sneakers.

You were in the BO the last week of June so that will be very different from our being there the last week in May. Fingers crossed we'll have flowers!! Again, this is the only time we can go in the Spring.

****Wondering if we should go back to Zermatt instead of the BO and if that would be any different in terms of weather at that time.
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Old Jan 18th, 2017, 07:03 AM
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You have to bring hiking boots for Alpine hiking anyway and at any rate. Sneakers are not suitable for mountain trails, be it with or without snow. Period.

Many accidents in the Alps happen because tourists do not prepare and use inappropriate gear. The Bergwacht guys will not be happy if they have to rescue just another injured hiker in sneakers.
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Old Jan 18th, 2017, 07:49 AM
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Hi Diane,
I was in Berner Oberland during the 1st week of last May, I saw plenty of wild flowers in the valley, cows roaming on green herbs, and rushing waterfalls everywhere. If that's what you want to see, then I say go. It depends also on the weather, but you will go there later than I did, so I hope you'll get warmer weather. You can see my trip report here, or at least look at my photos of flowers and cows and waterfalls:

https://moveablefeastofamess.wordpre...r-my-imladris/
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Old Jan 18th, 2017, 08:17 AM
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We will not be doing any difficult hikes but will bring our hiking boots anyway.

FuryFluffy - Thanks.
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Old Jan 18th, 2017, 08:36 AM
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The Bergwacht guys will not be happy if they have to rescue just another injured hiker in sneakers.

That may be but they will do it
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Old Jan 18th, 2017, 09:02 AM
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Dukey - I'm sure they will. It's their job. Thanks.

And. . . Perhaps one could get injured wearing hiking boots too? And then will the Bergwacht guys be happy? (I feel a little like I'm being scolded before I've even done anything!)
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Old Jan 18th, 2017, 09:07 AM
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We will not be doing any difficult hikes but will bring our hiking boots anyway.>

If doing walks or non-difficult hiking leave the boots at home IME -I have hiked in athletic shoes all over the Jungfrau area on foot paths - up to Kl Scheidegg and Grosse Scheidegg - Bachalpsee - Kl Scheidegg to Wengen -Mannlichen to Kl Schiediegg and never had any problems -in fact was glad not to have heavy boots.

but those were all relatively easy trails -if taking those boots are overkill IMO and if you need them rent them locally.
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Old Jan 18th, 2017, 11:37 AM
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I may add that I was hiking those trails with two others - a gal and a guy and they had athletic shoes as well-the trails were not difficult but strenuous and at times hopping from boulder to boulder as stairs - but we were in great physical shape.

Most of the Germans and Swiss, etc usually had a walking stick and boots.

but if you chose your trails they are more like walking and not hiking per say- scrambling over rocks, etc.

Trails are color-coded in three hues on maps - easiest -intermediate to difficult. Stay away from difficult unless you have boots.

But everyone has their own subjective take on this and it depends how you walk - bounding along from boulder to boulder or carefully following a groomed trail.

One day we walked Grindelwald to Grosse Scheidegg down to Meiringen-a wonderful walk but tiring - no need of boots which really I think would slow us down.
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Old Jan 18th, 2017, 11:52 AM
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Thanks Pal.

Truth be told, I wore my hiking boots in Zermatt. We went for a week and got back a week and a half ago. My toes started to cramp and now really hurt. Since I'm going to physical therapy for ankle problems, I told her my toes were now a mess too. She said it was probably from the boots I wore (Timberland) as they don't "give". So they have support which is good for my ankles, but are stiff and thus they were slamming down on my toes.
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