Since we really didn't see anything on our first trip to Mount Pelee,
we came one more time - the day before our departure.
The parking lot was much fuller.
Since we really didn't see anything on our first trip to Mount Pelee,
we came one more time - the day before our departure.
The parking lot was much fuller.
At first the weather seemed as hopeless as the first time,
but soon we could see features we did not see previously.
A few more steps and the green wall of Aileron (left) stood in front of our eyes.
The trail goes through the saddle and then veers right.
Strange things started happening. The clouds parted...
...the Sun has peeked through...
...and soon we saw Aileron in all its natural beauty - in a sunlit green frock.
When we looked back, we could see the parking lot (center right) - what a quick change.
And the blue just beneath the clouds on the left might even be the eastern shore of the island.
Another 20 meters up and we could see another breathtaking view.
Across the valley we caught a glimpse of the opposite ridge of the volcanic giant.
Something completely unthinkable on our previous visit.
In case you wonder what is that green velvet cover made of - here is a sample.
Now in a wider view with a rare flower tossed in.
But on the last few steps to Aileron the fog has returned.
In the view back you can still see the parking lot, but the coast is gone.
On the other side, we could still see a bit of the western shore with St Pierre...
After Aileron the trail went down for a bit and the fog kept thickening...
...and when we reached the staircase for the next climb, it felt like the good old times.
Sometimes you find huge colonies of one plant or fern.
They give the green velvet slightly different tones of color.
Soon we came to the second hut which is about 100 meters from the place where the trail splits.
We have not even seen this hut the first time around.
As the weather started improving again, we approached the rim of the caldera,
so we could finally see what we were doing during our first trip and get some perspective.
Straight ahead (about 100 meters) you can see the place where the trail splits.
One branch follows the rim and the other descends steeply down into the caldera.
That is the one we took - blinded by fog - previously.
When we approached the rim closer - we could see straight down into the Cauldron of Desperation -
you can even see the little ferm palms I was shooting on our way back
and then the trail starts its ascent into the opposite slope...
...and it keeps going until it reaches the windy peak of Morne La Croix
near its top you can also spot the formation I have previously called the Sleeping Dragon.
The formation on the right is on our side and that is the rock we saw looming at the bottom
This is another view of that steep descent into the Cauldron of Desperation.
You can see that the caldera forms a narrow valley that circles around Morne La Croix...
...and when you turn around, the same valey keeps going on in the other direction as well.
So the longer (alternate) route to the Third Hut leads alongside the rim of this valley.
You can clearly see its semicircular path on the
map.
You can also see that the valley becomes a bit shallower as you circle around La Croix.
So when you take this route, it is longer, but you don't have to fight elevation extremes.
(looking back on the rim trail)
On the left side we saw the ridge leading to Mourne Macouba (1300m).
The trail from Macouba (on the other side of that mountain)
is where you can climb Mt Pelee straight from the sea level -
and enjoy all 1400 meters of its elevation gain.
After we got a bit further on the trail, we could see Morne Macouba in its full glory (left).
At this point the caldera valley has nearly vanished and the trail follows the rest of the rim
and then starts turning left and climbs to the Third Hut.
Now pointing the camera a bit to the right (north).
Somewhere behind that lonely peak lies Macouba.
This is the detail of the green cover on this side of the mountain.
As we had different plans for the afternoon, we turned around at this point
and followed the rim trail back. The clouds started coming back and
by the time we reached the Second Hut, it was raining again.
But at Aileron it unexpectedly cleared and so we paid our last respect to Mt Pelee...
...and soon we could see the parking lot again.