View from Hochtor Tunnel Exit

After viewing the Grossglockner from Franz-Josefs Hohe, we returned to the main road and continued the steep climb to Hochtor and the first tunnel. We soon reached the snow line and then traveled up switchbacks through corridors of snow 10-15 feet deep. When we reached the first tunnel there was a fantastic view of snow-covered alps. From both sides of the tunnel, the whole horizon was made up of snowcapped mountains. June 23, 1967

Switchbacks in the Snow

From the exit from the Hochtor Tunnel, we looked at the switchbacks in the descending road through the snow.

After viewing the Grossglockner from Franz-Josefs Hohe, we returned to the main road and continued the steep climb to Hochtor and the first tunnel. We soon reached the snow line and then traveled up switchbacks through corridors of snow 10-15 feet deep. When we reached the first tunnel there was a fantastic view of snow-covered alps. From both sides of the tunnel, the whole horizon was made up of snowcapped mountains. June 23, 1967

View from Edelweissspitze

The Grossglockner, at 3798 m (12,460 ft) the highest mountain in Austria. The top was covered with deep snow and it stood glistening in the sunlight against a clear blue sky. It was vaguely reminiscent of the Jungfrau. We had turned off the main road to go to the Franz-Josefs-Hohe (2451m, 8040 ft) which is the prime viewpoint for viewing the Grossglockner.

The parking lot and area at Franz-Josefs-Hohe stand just opposite the Grossglockner - an excellent viewpoint. You stand looking straight across at the Grossglockner. Far below you the valley floor is covered by a glacier - there are patches of snow and areas where the old, scarred ice is bare. You can take a funicular down to the glacier. It is so far below the viewing area that the people walking on the glacier look like ants crawling on the surface. June 23, 1967

Mountain Road from Edelweissspitze

This was a type of road that we had never seen before, curving in the snow over the distant mountains. We had left the Grossglockner area and climbed through the Hochtor Tunnel. June 23, 1967