Hike along the East side of Lake Alpnachersee

Saturday July 28, 2019 -- Just managed to get another short 10-km walk squeezed in before the weather turned stormy. For a change this one turned out to be the perfect choice, as the dark clouds moved in over the mountains around us while we still had a window of sunshine. Also, there was a very nice cool wind blowing, otherwise this hike would have been uncomfortably hot to do (air temperature is still pretty high).

We're working on completing the 115-km long "Waldstätter Trail" around Lake Lucerne, doing approx. 10-km stretches at a time. Based on webcams of the area early in the morning, we chose to do the section between Alpnachstad (where the world's steepest cogwheel train starts its climb up Mount Pilatus), through the large marshy and reedy area on the South side of Lake Alpnach (Alpnachersee), up through the lovely cool forest on the East side of the lake, and then down through the short Rotzloch Gorge back to the lake at the gravel factory, and then on to our destination at Stansstad. (Webcams showed low clouds and fog in other places along the lake, that's why we chose this section).

There was lots of variety, some pretty nice views, and not at all a difficult hike to do. I ended up enjoying it more than I thought I would, but I think the cool wind had a lot to do with that!

(Lake Alpnachersee is actually a separate lake from Lake Lucerne, but joined to it via a strait at Stansstad).

Near the train station and boat dock at Alpnachstad we had a picnic lunch before starting on our walk, as we kind of left late in the morning

 

I love frogs and how they just float. And the ducks, those aren't mallards, but probably what is called "Kolbenente" or Red-Crested Pochard (because the male has a red crest on his head).

Glancing North across the marshy area to the reedy shore, and beyond to Mount Bürgenstock. 

The first 30 minutes we spent discovering the pretty reedy shore of the South part of the lake. Straight ahead is the Rengg Pass, which we crossed earlier this year on another section of the Waldstätter Trail

The first 30 minutes we spent discovering the pretty reedy shore of the South part of the lake. 

The first 30 minutes we spent discovering the pretty reedy shore of the South part of the lake. This is actually a protected marsh and moor landscape of national importance.

On the East side of the lake, the trail crosses into a cool forest. Some uphill walking was required, but for at least 30 minutes we walked near the lake with glimpses of the lake through the trees.

Nearing the highest part of our hike on the East side of Lake Alpnachersee. On the other side, the peak of Mount Pilatus is in clouds (as happened the last two times I was on that mountain) but we below have sunshine still. 

A very nice look North at the end of the lake to Stansstad. The bridge spans the part where the two lakes Lucerne and Alpnachersee connect. All afternoon we could smell pig manure, and below is one of several farmers who was spreading the nasty stuff. 

Spreading pig manure on the pastures

For a very short piece we descended to the valley to the East near Ennetmoos, and got a good view of Mount Stanserhorn and the other mountains to the East, all looking very dark at this point

Some baby swallows under the edge of a barn roof (the mother had just been to feed them)

Then the trail made a sharp turn to the West again, where we entered the very short Rotzloch Gorge. 

 

It takes less than 10 minutes to walk through the gorge, which also includes a short tunnel, down to the gravel factory.

Very cool old steam roller displayed at the entrance of the gravel factory complex

The flat section to Stansstad train station goes past the Stansstader Ried, also a large marsh on the North side of the lake. The skies to the South are getting quite dark now.

There was a most fascinating large strip of lavender with HUNDREDS of bumblebees, but there was so much motion, it was difficult to photograph!

The last stretch to the train station is right along the lake, so it doesn't matter that it is flat and paved

The first drops of rain started just as we got to the train station. 

Just over 9 km, took us about 3 hours to walk. We started in Alpnachstad, and ended in Stansstad

We started in Alpnachstad and ended in Stanstad

We are working on completing the entire circuit of Lake Lucerne. Altogether approx. 115 km.

This is what the marsh area at the South end of Lake Alpnachersee looks like from the West side on the Mount Pilatus side (a hike we did in March)

In March 2019 we hiked on the West side of Lake Alpnachersee. This panorama view of the East side is what we hiked on Saturday