Le Pic de Morgon via Pierre Arnoux

Description

The route crosses the forest then the mountain pastures, leading to Pic de Morgon, from where the view over the two parts of the Serre-Ponçon lake is truly striking. This mountain ascent helps you stand back from the Massif des Ecrins and its summits. Closer to you, the Ubaye and Durance valleys are a great sight for hikers on the trail. The route provides a glimpse of the birds living in the cliffs and the high-altitude flora. From the Pierre Arnoux car park (1285 m), head for the Fontaine des Miracles track. Turn left into the track and go as far as the beginning of the path with some log steps. Follow the path right across the forest, then, after a few bends, climb up the ladders on a small rocky bar. Continue along the winding path and you pass a source just before arriving at the gates of Morgon. Once in the corrie, follow the track, then the path. You arrive near a shepherd’s cabin, respecting the peace and quiet, before tackling the ascent, which is often eroded in the cargneule rock. Don’t cut across the loops, which worsens the erosion. If you veer to the right you will pass a metal cylinder placed on the crest in the year 2000 at the same time as another that can still be seen on Mont Orel. Go up to the summit across the flat area below it. On the way back, follow the same route in the other direction. You can also follow the crest southwards towards Tête de la Vieille (short passage through the rock) to arrive at a path going down to the corrie and passing near Lake Morgon and the Saint Pierre sanctuary.

Difficulty

Official rating: difficult, by Parc national des Écrins.

Before you go

• Dogs are forbidden in the Morgon corrie from 15 June to 15 July and from 15 August to 15 September. Possible circuit in the corrie.

Getting there

Start: Pierre Arnoux, Savines-le-Lac, Savines-le-Lac (05).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Écrins, Licence Ouverte 2.0, Licence Ouverte 2.0 (Etalab) (destination.ecrins-parcnational.fr/trek/918593-Le-Pic-de-Morgon-par-Pierre-Arnoux). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 1,158 m, Parc national des Écrins