Zugspitze Mountain Means Snow in Germany

Today we woke up earlier than before in order to make the 2 1/2 hour trek to the Alps. Our final destination was to be the Zugspitze mountain summit, the tallest point in Germany and a part of the German Alps. We took two trains: the first to get us to the mountains, the second, called the "cog," to get us up the mountain. The "cog" ran almost vertical, and blew an old-timey whistle.

Once arriving at the base of the mountain, we saw a winter wonderland of snow (some of us Southerners for the first time!). It was almost difficult to remember that it was summer.

We had to take a gondola in order to reach the summit. Basically an enclosed, floating cart, we all were a little nervous about making it to the top. Visibility was near to none, so the views at the top were mere white backdrops. We stopped and ate lunch hoping it would clear up.

The snow clouds were blindingly bright, and the mountains were nowhere in sight.
Photo by Murphy

The way down the gondola was a much more spectacular view. We could see more of the mountain, and also the glacier lake that sat below.

Photo by Shuler

Photo by Shuler

Although the view from the peak proved dissappointing, we still got to experience some of the beautiful natural scenery Germany has to offer, and learned patience along the way.