Thu, 1 January 1970
Vertical Climbed: 850 meters (2,789 feet)
Vertical Descended: 850 meters
Rating: 3.3
Avalanche Risk: -
Snowline: 600
If possible park at the hairpin bend at (altitude 610m, viewpoint and picnic table) where the botanical trail begins. This is after the usual point of road closure for winter at le Poteau. Do not take the botanic trail but continue a bit further up the road to take a trail that climbs to the right. This is the Sentier de Côtes. Follow the trail that takes some long zig-zags (red marks on the trees). Rejoin the road at Bondiet (880m) and follow to the left hand hairpin where you rejoin the trail. At the Fontaine des Côtes cross roads (1080m) take the path to the North-West. This crosses a number of more or less skiable coulors: Couloir des Côtes Quartiers, Couloir de la Cutra which descend from the summit path. At around 1200 meters you cross the Couloir des Chênaies, the path is quite narrow here. Just after it zig-zags up to join the summit ridge between the Petite Dent and the Dent du Chat. The Dent du Chat can be climb via ladders. Otherwise turn south to arrive at the summit of the Molard Noir (Black Molar?).
From the Molard Noir descend veering to the right into the combe / couloir des Chênaies. At 1040 meters it is possible to take a forest road south to rejoin the Col du Chat road at 910 m then descend via the road to the car park. If the snow is exceptional continue down the couloir to 580 meters where you can follow a trail to the right to rejoin the Petit Caton (assuming you've parked your car here).