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With Lorraine, Robert, Sarah, Thomas, Sapphie, Gem
First day of a week staying in Braithwaite hoping to tick off some of the North Western Fells. The weather appears to be against us, with high winds forecast for most of the week. We decided that something relatively low and sheltered would be a good start, and the woods up to Kings How and Grange Fell sounded like they would fit the bill.
Leaving the car, near Grange
It was a pretty late start by the time we were all ready, and we took the slow scenic route to get to Grange, so that by the time we parked up it was lunchtime. It was also raining, so we ate lunch in the car while waiting to see if it would clear. Fortunately, it did stop, and we set off up the road towards Troutdale Cottages.
View from Troutdale
Looking back towards Skiddaw from the Troutdale lane, the weather looked a little better in that direction.
Heading up Troutdale
At the cottages a gate led into a lovely little valley. Full of rocky outcrops and autumn colours.
Troutdale
Troutdale
Into the woods
After a very short walk along the valley bottom, we are into the woods and starting to climb up towards Long Moss.
Beside Comb Gill
The path through the woods was very pretty, but dangerously slippery in places. Wet leaves meant that the rocky paths needed a lot of care.
Fallen tree
Waterfall in the woods
Staircase in the woods
Looking back there were occasional views of Derwent Water through the trees.
View through the trees
Before too long the path levelled off a little and the going was less slippery.
Path levels off
Unfortunately this also meant we were exposed to a bit more of the ferocious wind.
Above the trees
Above Greatend Crag
View over the trees
Thomas and Sapphie
Not the best day for views, but we got a few.
View towards Langdales
Derwent Water and Skiddaw
Panorama
Robert looks cold
View towards Langdales
Derwent Water and Skiddaw
Just occasionally the sun broke through the clouds. Unfortunately not above us...
Keswick Spotlight
Grange Fell has three separate summits, King's How being the first and lowest.
View from King's How
View from King's How
Thomas at King's How summit
From the King's How summit we set off across the summit ridge to the main summit at Brund Fell. The dogs were not impressed by the stiles provided at the various walls and fences we had to cross, but we were able to lift them over.
Dogs waiting at fence
Dogs waiting at fence
Approaching Brund Fell top
At the top of Brund Fell the rain started again (sideways) - fortunately we were able to hide behind one of the large summit rocks until it passed.
Brund Fell top
After a little debate over the best plan for descent, we decided we did not fancy the slippery rocks through the wood (nor did we really feel like retracing our steps), so instead we hit on a plan where we would resent to Rosthwaite, then I would walk back to the car while the rest of the party waited in the pub.
View over Borrowdale
Path by the wood
Through Frith Wood back to the road
The walk back to the car along the road was easy enough, and by the time I got to the Scafell Hotel the drinks had just arrived - perfect timing.
An easy short walk intended to break us in gently for bigger and better things later in the week - weather permitting.
