This was the view of the sun coming up from our window in our room at the Rifugio Elisabetta. Beautiful!
This is the place where we had our meals. This morning we had breakfast with a couple from New York who are originally from India. They were delightful and it was fun to talk to them. Of course, everyone was talking about where they were on the mountain when the big storm hit. We didn't meet too many others who were right at the top of the col like we were.
On the steps of the Refugio Elisabetta ready for another day of hiking!
Some people carry their own stuff like us; some have a company transport their luggage from spot-to-spot. Of course, when you are at the mountain huts, there isn't an option to transport by car so other methods are employed.
The sun on the glacier and waterfall right next to the Refugio Elisabetta.
We had about a 45 minute descent down from the Refugio and then entered into a beautiful, long, FLATvalley called Vallon de la Lee Blance. 
Wild flowers were blooming.
There were several points where there were reflection pools that made for some great photo opportunities. 
About 2 hours after we left the Refugio, we came to where the "high trail" went up steeply to take us to Courmayeur. One note about the times — we learned this the last time when we hiked in the Alps. We have to plan for about 1.5 times the length of time they say on the signs :-)
One of the things we were excited about today is that for most of the day, we would be hiking this high trail where the whole southern face of the Mount Blanc range would be in view. It was spectacular — so happy that the weather cooperated for hiking stage. Here I am sitting on a bridge over a rushing mountain river with Mont Blanc in the background.
We did lots of climbing (8000 feet plus) and then followed the high trail along the range for several hours. 
This photo gives you an idea of what the high trail looked like as we traversed the mountain side.
Once again, the weather was great and we saw plenty of pink wildflowers that contrasted with the blues and greys of the mountains.
Okay, great day but when we arrived at the final Col Checrouit, we knew we'd have to descend more than 5000 feet to get to Courmayeur. My knee screamed NO, NO! So we took the cable car from the col part of the way down and a gondola the rest of the way down. See my smiling face :-)
Once we got down to Courmayeur, we had to hike about another 30 minutes to get to our hotel. SO HAPPY!! REST DAY TOMORROW!
This is the view from our hotel room — all is good with us!Stage 4 —7 hours of hiking and 23,647 steps
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