125 CH-VD T3 Les Moulins Monts Chevreuils Col de Sonlomont Les Ecrouvignes Bonne Eau La Bacu La Tanchin

Date : 2024.01.13
Duration on paper : 08h00
Duration real with breaks : 06h36
Difficulty for me : T3
Physical : difficult
Technical : average
Fear : low
Average Slope : +17.8% -16.0%
Attendance ascent/summit/descent : low/high/null
Comment : almost same hike as 069 https://fr.wikiloc.com/itineraires-raquettes/069-ch-vd-les-moulins-les-coulayes-monts-chevreuils-le-plaudri-col-de-sonlomont-les-ecrouvignes-la-140737741 minus the attempt at climbing a 57% slope in snowshoes
physically difficult ascent on snowshoes all climb not much flat until the summit
lots of people mostly on skis at the summit coming from La Lécherette as there's a well maintained cross-country ski track
the descent to col de Sonlomont is partially off-trails great beautiful virgin snow except a few cross-country ski traces here and there, some parts are pretty steep but snowshoe "surfing" is fun when there's a lot of powder snow, snow quality is great on that side less exposed to the sun
from col de sonlomont to les ecrouvignes no traces except 1-2 cross-country skiers but they make their own way, we followed the summer roads
there's only one dangerous part I would say it's a few meters after Les Ecrouvignes following the summer trail white-red T3 poles you have to traverse a pretty steep slope where you better not make a mistake, the beginning of the forest is also a very tight passage next to a drop, once you reach the "crest" of the ridge it's all thick powder snow where falling isn't a big problem
you will need to have a smartphone gps maps of the area to do the Bonne Eau La Bacu descent, you mostly see the white-red paint but it's easy to lose them in winter, don't expect to follow traces nobody goes there.
the last 3km are made with regular winter shoes on the road

YOUTUBE WIKILOC HIKES 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PMf2DD_UNs&list=PLOCc4Atr-UDciHfh4cfiExrh47IgIu2RH&index=1