Walkhighlands

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.