Slovenia: Kranjska Gora, Day 2

Our goal today is the Slemenova Spica Hike. During the summer season, there is a free hourly bus from Kranjska Gora to Bovec over the Vršič Pass. This time of the year the free bus still runs on a reduced schedule. The hike ascends from the Vrsic Pass, the highest pass in the Julian Alps at 1,611 meters elevation, to Slemenova Spica at 1,911 meters. One of our guide books says if you only do one walk in Slovenia, this is the one. We could not agree more. It's like we are back in the Dolomites.

On the way home we got off the bus at Lake Jasna and walked back. John felt slightly better today.

We hopped off the bus at Vrsic Pass, and our task was clear; the blue sign verifies the elevation, and the red sign points 1hr 30 minutes to Slemenova Spica.




And soon we've gained some altitude.




Sun-Ling hates scree but makes the crossing in good shape.


The sign says 55 minutes!


And across a forest.


And then an amazing view down to Ratece where we walked yesterday. Wow!


Even though we are in the highest pass in the Julian Alps, the peaks are still high above us.


Then unexpectedly, just before the Slemenova Spica Viewpoint, we crossed a dry high meadow with sheep. Lots of sheep droppings. It smelled like a barnyard. The sheep tried to eat the food of two hikers who were heating a can of beans (or something) on a small stove (2nd below). Chaos for a few minutes. ;-)




Slemenova Spica Summit at 1,911 meters elevation. 2nd and 3rd below are views down to Ratece and its ski lifts. Notice the large parking lot.






Panorama


The summit was too barnyard-like to eat lunch, so we headed down a bit.


And with a good lunch in our bellies we made good time down to the bus stop.




Sun-Ling Powers Through the Scree Crossing


We got off the bus one stop before Kranjska Gora at Jasna Lake.