The taxi left us at the small town of Fionnay (map). The town's immediately-notable features are two large reservoirs and that waterfall, the Cascade de Fionnay, in the background. The reservoir in the photo is milky grey, it looks like glacier runoff, whereas the town's other reservoir is a pretty turquoise blue. You'll see that one in a future photo.
Fionnay (altitude 1,490 m) is where we began our hike up to Cabane de Louvie (2,250 m). The photo shows the view from the start of the trail though the trail doesn't go where you'd think. It doesn't head for the pass that's just left of that waterfall. Instead the trail quickly turns to the left and begins a series of long switchbacks. The elevation gain is gradual but relentless, there's no relief until the top.
