Abri près du Lac de Branlay

The place

A basic hut that I discovered this summer on my first visit to this area: three solid dry-stone walls, a front wall with an entrance opening, a roof with a basic frame, inside there are 3 plank benches along the walls (the one at the back is a bit wider, as if to be able to lie down, while the 2 side ones are just for sitting), earthen floor. Streams nearby but I did not see a developed water point. The whole thing looks maintained and in good condition. I think this basic shelter could be useful in case of necessity as there is nothing else nearby (apart from the private Chalet du Queigey, which is much further down and occupied by the shepherd in summer). As for reaching the Lac de Branlay: either directly from the paved road via the marked alpine pasture trail (passing near the Chalet pastoral du Queigey then continuing to the Lac de Branlay), or via the Logis des Fées track and then continuing on the trail leading to the Lac d'Arpettaz, which crosses the Grand-Plan pasture along a ridge, then descends on the slope to the Lac du Branlay. On the right of the lake the trail passes horizontally to the left of a rocky outcrop and climbs a few metres to a second lake, half filled in with aquatic plants, on the left bank (sheltered under the rock) is this stone hut. On the IGN map there is no indication of either the shelter, the small lake, or any corresponding place name.