Rifugio Menaggio, Lake Como, Italy, 9/21/11

The picture above is taken from the ferry from Menaggio to Bellagio. To reach the trailhead we took a bus from Menaggio to Breglia (749 m). The bus route passed several villages nestled on the mountain side. To see the route, follow the villages from left to right on the picture all the way up the little church of Breglia at the left edge of the picture. (The bus ride was an outing in itself. It provided great views of the mountain, lake and villages. The mountain roads are narrow and often allow passage for one car only. At sharp bends, the bus needs to honk to signal it approach to opposite traffic. After 2-3 days in Menaggio, we got used to the sound of the honking busses - part of life in a steep mountain village.)

As we gained higher altitude the lake receded in the background.

Almost there...