Skip to main content

GOSAUSEE wander



Some of the most beautiful lakes are by the Dachstein near Gosau. This incredible canyon has a series of three lakes at the foot of the mountain. Twice we went to hike around the lakes. The first attempt ended in a massive thunderstorm, which made for great pictures but a lot of wet clothes.

We started out on what appeared to be a bright sunny day.


As a slight sprinkle began we decided to eat our lunches and wait it out under some trees.

The slight sprinkle turned into a massive storm with clouds so dark it seemed like night. For quite some time we could barely see the other side of the lake.


Our little hideout under the trees became insufficient and we had to move under some nearby cliffs, where we could watch the water pour off the canyon side in torrents.


After about an hour waiting we decided to brave the storm, which had slowed a bit by now, and run back around the lake to the car. When we got back the storm had subsided. I love how the clouds hover around the valley and base of the mountains after each storm.


SECOND TRY:

The Gosau lake area is so beautiful that we felt another attempt at hiking the region was warranted. On a warm summer day we headed back to Gosau. This time, weather held out better than our worn out, tired old legs. We managed to make it around two of the three lakes. The first lake, called the "Vorderer Gosausee" is the largest. Small streams and waterfalls come off the canyon walls into the lake.



Lots of people come here to walk around the lake on a warm summer weekend afternoon, have a picnic, and yes, even swim, although the water must be very cold as it comes from the glacier above the lake.

Across the lake you can see the local climbing wall.

On the way to the middle lake you wander through the woods past waterfalls. Rosi can't help but "admire/play with" the wildlife.



There's a little restaurant just above the first lake, but they only open when they feel like it.


The middle lake is called "Gosaulacke." It is more like a pond in the middle of the woods, surrounded by mossy meadows. It's extraordinarily quite, peaceful and beautiful.

 Up the canyon you can see the mountain is getting a little closer now.



Incredible reflections of clouds on the still water.

On the way back we once again see the rock climbers trying out their skills on the local climbing wall.


Maybe next time we will try making it all the way to the third lake.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

PLITVICKA NATIONAL PARK - CROATIA

 I had seen a few internet posts about this place, and was determined to make a stop here on the way to Brac. It is definitely worth the detour. We ended up spending a second day wandering around the lakes and through the waterfalls. Coming into the national park from the north after leaving Zagreb, we started to encounter examples of the beauty that awaited us, as we passed through a town full of travertine pools and waterfalls. Plitvicka National Park is a larger area of forested hills, but the main attraction is a series of lakes, created by calcium deposits which form little dams and terraced pools between the trees and vegetation along the base of a canyon. There are three main lakes, but countless smaller pools in between. You can start at the top or the bottom of the area. By starting at the bottom you are always looking forward and up at the next waterfall. The first set of waterfalls is below the first lake. Got to take one of those "yes, we were here" pictures. Grea...
1 comment
Read more

Griasdi, Do sa'ma! (translation) Hello there, here we are!

OK, looks like we made it, and are off to our two year adventure.  Despite spending most of the first month getting our visa paperwork together, getting insurance, finding a place to live, buying furniture and other furnishings for our new home, and all that other not so fun stuff, we have been able to spend a little time checking out the beautiful sites and touristy things around here. Bad Ischl for the day Our new home. Let's hope they let us stay. The winter hasn't been very wintery. Going for a walk up the neighborhood street Across the street from the house An evening walk at the beach The Attersee (our lake) the Almsee Yep, it's winter here, but less snow than usual
1 comment
Read more

BRAC, CROATIA - Olive orchards, tiny fishing villages, and rocky coastline

 Made it to Brac, one of many islands along the Dalmatian coast. To get over to the island you have to drive or walk onto a ferry boat. . Ah, the sleepy little town of Supetar, the largest village on the island of Brac. It's October, past the tourist season, but you would think there would still be a few people here. The weather is mild, ocean still warm, but COVID travel restrictions killed their tourist business. We were the only tourists in a huge resort of probably 500 units. Pools were all drained, restaurants all closed, etc. The usually busy tourist options sat still, like this nice little boat that usually provides sailing tours. Ah, but the swim beaches were open. We practically had the entire beach and swim bay to ourselves. Water was still warm, so we swam around and watched the fish circle our feet and legs. Perfect opportunity to lay around in the sun and dangle your legs in the ocean. Spent a couple of days driving around the island to the other small villages. Not a ...
1 comment
Read more