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PICTURES AND TRIP REPORTS FROM MY WALKS IN THE ENGLISH LAKE DISTRICT
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At last ! A forecasted brief break in the awful weather we have been suffering with recently, although I probably would have gone out whatever the weather as cabin fever was setting in and short local walks just weren't cutting it. I needed my Lake District fix :-)
Dry but dull as I parked up at the small lay-by at the top of Hummer Lane. Morecambe Bay in the distance.
The cloud was covering the upper reaches of Coniston Old Man, seen from the crossing of the forest road on the drop down to Appletree Worth.
I was heading for Caw which is clear for now.
Appletree Worth.
Unlike last time I came here I took a longer route to the main track by the River Lickle, walking upstream by Appletree Worth Beck and then following the paths up around The Knott towards Jordan Crag. As I was walking along this path I noticed the sun had come out.
And what a welcome sight it was too. The pointy top of White Pike and White Maiden stand out in the sunshine.
Looking across to Pikes on the right and Caw on the left.
Waterfall across the valley.
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The view back down the track by the Lickle.
Unfortunately the sunshine only lasted a few minutes and by the time I'd arrived at Natty Bridge the skies had darkened again.
And this was the reason why. A fierce hailstorm blew in from the sea but thankfully only lasted about ten minutes.
As often happens when the hail clears sunshine returns and as I started the climb to Pikes I got the view that I was hoping to have, England's highest ground wearing it's winter coat.
Haycock peeping out between Harter Fell and Illgill Head.
A longer range view of the upper Duddon valley and the high fells around Eskdale.
White Pike and White Maiden again with the small rise of Walna Scar below Brown Pike and Dow Crag.
On to Pikes now looking across to Caw.
From Pikes it's not far to Caw where as with every other time I've been it was blowing a gale.
It's quite a tricky descent from Caw especially if, as I did you wander over towards Goat Crag. Some impromptu scrambling was practiced. Stickle Pike is the prominent pointed fell with the vast dome of Black Combe beyond with the ridge leading past the tiny bump of Stoneside Hill to the Buckbarrow group and Whitfell.
It's looking a bit dark and threatening over the Scafell massive now.
Following Park Head Road to Kiln Bank Cross.
Another hailstorm blew in as I reached Kiln Bank Cross but again cleared to leave a lovely sunny afternoon. I have never been to the old quarries and levels of Stainton quarry so I had a walk up to them
The entrance to the upper quarry is through this rock gate. Unfortunately the quarries were in shadow so I couldn't get a good photo of them.
From the quarry I climbed up to the Raven Crag ridge from where I got this view of Caw and Pikes.
I joined the road at Carter Ground.
The Knott from the road.
The low winter sunshine was lighting up this mossy wall
Broughton Mills in the valley below.
I could have cut the corner and walked a more direct route to Appletree Worth but as it was such a nice afternoon I walked down to Hawk Bridge then followed the path back upstream.
And after not very long I was back to Appletree Worth.
Coniston Old Man again taken from the same place as this morning but now with a clear top.