I wanted to go and have a look at the snow that had fallen. Not much below 1500 meters.

A short tour to test out my spiked winter mountain bike tires. After the source du Sanglier the snow was too deep to cycle.

Missed the turn to the top of the ski lifts at the col de Marcieu. Instead took an interesting looking trail that climbed steeply but had a good surface.

Initially I set out for the whole tour but it started raining - thunder in November.

You can start at either the Col de Marcieu, there is a trail from the top of the sledging slope or from les Fontanettes just before the Col. You can buy tickets at the Col d Marcieu only.

The snow cover is thin below 1600 m so this seemed like a good plan to go powder hunting on north and west slopes.

if the snow cover is sufficient try to follow the path through the forest to the cross country ski trails at 1420 meters.

The road to le Clos is still open and there were lots of ruts from cars with chains that had driven up so not great to ski down.

From the Col de Pré Long (1194 meters) take a forest path that joins the road at pt 1332 meters and from there to the parking la Souille at 1358 meters.

Grand Rocher is a traditional season kickoff. Not too far to go in doubtful conditions. Not too high when there has been a lot of new snow.