Zugspitze, The Top of Germany

As our trip came winding to an end, we felt it was fitting to climb to the summit of the Zugspitze and bid farewell to Germany and Austria. The Zugspitze straddles the border of Germany and Austria at a height of 9,718 feet. Germany proudly claims it as the highest point in Germany. This is necessary from a German standpoint since the alps spill just a little bit into Bavaria.
Above you can see Lake Eibsee in Germany looking north. Just to the right (east) of the lake is the little town of Grainau and moving further east are the larger cities Garmisch-Partenkirchen. They are two cities that basically grew into one entity.
The Bavarian Zugspitze Railway runs inside the northern flank of the mountain and ends on the Zugspitzplatt. The Zugsitzplatt sits just below the summit. You then have to climb on a cable car to reach the summit.
Remember Pat the monkey? He loves to travel.
Beautiful scenery prior to disappearing inside the mountain as we make the steep ascent.
You couldn't have asked for a better day. Fantastic 360 degree views and it wasn't cold. We quickly found we were over-dressed.

Before lunch at Deutschland's hochster biergarten (Germany's highest beer garden) I took some time to climb the Zugspitze.



AND slide down the Zugspitze on the seat of my pants. Who needs a sled! ... Or attentive parents!
You can reach the summit of the Zugspitze from both Germany and Austria. The arrival/departure area of the German and Austrian cable cars are separated by about 10 feet. So we did the touristy thing and walked over to Austria got our picture taken and then walked back to Germany and got our picture taken. Admit it! You would have done the same thing.

Just chillin' and taking in the view. What a great trip!