Up to the Porticciola

In 2012, our first high level walk was this hike up from Renaio to the pass called La Porticciola (the little door).  We have been there several times since, once to climb farther to the neighbouring summit of Monte Giovo (1991 m, 6530ft).  This time there was still too much snow, so we contentd ourselves with the col, and the chance to look over to the Emilia-Romagna side, where lie Modena, Parma and Ferrara - all of which we have visited this year.

We stopped at Pegnana to enjoy this meadow of  an unknown clover which
produces beautiful intense red flowers

It's hard to stop enthusing about the beech trees in their new spring garb ...

As we emerged from the tree-line, we were amazed to find drifts of crocuses still
blooming among the juniper and late snow patches

More crocuses ... 

... and yet more

Monte Giovo on right, and the peaks of Emilia Romagna at the left