September 2022 – Solothurn
Cornell Hike – 4 September 2022
It’s true! We spotted several fossilized dinosaur tracks and followed their path along our hiking trail. It is amazing to connect with something that existed millions of years ago!
Our Excursion
19 participants came to the city of Solothurn for our hike. This number included 3 dogs.
Historically, the dogs count as participants given that they walk longer distances, have more feet, and keep us busier – and are simply fun!
This map shows the path we took. From Bellach we followed a hiking route along a lovely lake. During the winter the people from the area made a living from cutting ice blocks for cooling the famous Solothurn beer during the summer (see end of story!).
We turn upwards at a unique stone: a granite boulder from the Montblanc Mountain. The stone traveled on the back of the glacier from the Montblanc to Selzach 20’000 years ago.
After lunch, we reached the quarry with the tracks. The dinosaur tracks are very unique because they were spotted long ago. Originally, people thought that they were tracks from elephants (?!).
The tracks on the picture show a dinosaur walking from the upper right corner to the lower left corner. One dinosaur also walked from the left end of the lower crack upwards to the left. Higher up on the wall, we could also see tracks from dinosaurs in a hurry. Maybe they were late for a meeting?
From the quarry, we continued to Oberdorf, crossed Rüttenen, and entered the Verena gorge. For many hikers, the idyllic Verena gorge is a place of mystical power. A hermit is still living there to this day.
Magical Number 11
Leaving the lovely place, we continued to Solothurn and end the hike with a stroll through Solothurn.
We shared stories about Solothurn and the magical number 11. Look at the clock below!
St. Ursus Cathedral has a clock tower measuring 11 by 6 meters. It has 11 clocks and 11 altars. The stairway at the entrance has three times 11 steps. Yes, we counted them!
Within the city walls of the baroque city, one can find 11 fountains.
Check out the Solothurn clock with 11 numbers on the dial!
And the best always comes at the end: the 11 beer!
Cheers, and meet you next year!
Jürg
