Short Wanders in South Lakeland

[johnkaysleftleg]

I am well behind in my reports as can be seen from me writing a report from May while we are two thirds of the way through August. This family weekend away in South Lakeland seems quite a while back but fortunately the weather wasn't as hazy as my memories. Descriptions, as with the walks, will be short.

26th May 2019 Stickle Pike 4.5km 330m 2hrs

Stickle Pike stands quite prominent in views and is one of those fells that begs to be climbed. This is not really much of task as it is situated really quite close to the road which also give a good leg up its rather modest elevation. It was a very bright but very windy day as we struggled to get ready in the blasting wind before setting of up the short climb to the top. Although it is not a Wainwright, Stickle Pike is still obviously reasonably popular given the number of grassy trods that cover this small but very fine fell. Soon enough by following a combination of these we reached the top to take in the spectacular views and have a small snack. My decision to make this a bit more of a walk by taking in Tarn Hill and Great Stickle didn't, for whatever baffling reason , go down well with Grace. The remainder of the walk was completed with an atmosphere not generated by the beautiful scenery or the weather which was a shame. To compound matters Grace slipped into a small hole and hurt her knee, which hasn't in truth, fully healed from being hurt while messing about at college. Oh well, at least our accommodation at the Saton Bridge Hotel was nice.

Looking back down to Kiln Bank Cross by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Across Dunnerdale to Harter Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Caw from Higher up by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Buckbarrow and Whitfell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

North East from Stickle Pike Summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr

....and to the West by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking towards Duddon Sands by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Great Stickle and Tarn Hill by Anthony Young, on Flickr

My Companions on the Summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Duddon Sands by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Hughie and a moody Caw by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Epic Hughie Pose by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking back at Stickle Pike by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Tarn Hill by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Away From It All by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Trig on Great Stickle by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Great Stickle Mono by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Green and Pleasant Land by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Great Stickle by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Stickle Tarn by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Stickle Pike.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

27th May 2019 Hard Knott Fort and Stanley Force

Day two was forecast more cloud and a chance at some rain so we headed off along Eskdale to have a good look at Hard Knott Fort. Ever one to be surprising Grace suggested, despite her knee still feeling a bit off we had a go at making our way up the crags towards Border End. We got so far up before her knee started giving jip again so we made our way down again and headed along along to the Woolpack for coffee and cake Although the drizzle had set in somewhat we parked up at Dalegarth Station and had a wander to Gill and Stanley Force waterfalls with the later being very impressive. Following dropping Nicola and Grace back at the Bridge Inn, me and Hughie popped back along the road to have a small jaunt up Irton Pike. A steep little climb lead to a surprisingly good vantage point with views up Wasdale and towards the Eskdale Fells. Not a bad day in fairness.

Looking up the Pass from the Fort by Anthony Young, on Flickr

End of Empire by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Hughie by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Gateway to the Hills by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking down Eskdale from the Fort by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Outside the walls by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Illuminated by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Hard Knott Fort and Eskdale by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Rugged Ridge to Harter Fell by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Hughie above Eskdale by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Contrasts by Anthony Young, on Flickr

River Esk by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Gill Force by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Invader by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Stanley Force by Anthony Young, on Flickr

On the way up Irton Pike by Anthony Young, on Flickr

West from Irton Pike by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Wasdale from Irton Pike by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Towards Eskdale from Irton Pike by Anthony Young, on Flickr

28th May 2019 Caw from Seathwaite, 6.5km 495m 3hrs

With Graces knee playing up she decided to stay with the car at idyllic Seathwaite and do some home work for her upcoming exams. With this in mind I chose a short route to take in the delights of another of the fine fells that missed out on the initial books in the fine pyramid shape of Caw. We headed up the Park Head Road initially before choosing to leave it for the old mind track. The views of higher fells and the wonderful Duddon Valley were quite superb on this track and it gives a nicely graded ascent to the old mine buildings at around 370m. The route steepens from here but soon Caw's wonderful summit comes into view. The 360 degree views are superb in all directions, a very special treat for what is a relatively low and easy to climb fell. We completed the walk by following AWs route from the outlying fells by taking in Pikes and Green Pikes (they do love a pike around here!). A nice relaxing weekend dodgy knees apart.

Woodland at Seathwaite by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Along the Park Head Road by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Brock Barrow and the Park Head Road by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Towards the Eskdale Fells by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking back down the Old Quarry Track by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Top of the Quarry Track by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking back Across Dunnerdale by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Duddon Sands by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Eskdale Skyline from Caw by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Summit of Caw by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Views to the West by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Towards the Coniston Fells from Caw Summit by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Not sure about this dad... by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking back at Caw by Anthony Young, on Flickr

White Pike and Pikes by Anthony Young, on Flickr

A shadowy Caw from Pikes by Anthony Young, on Flickr

West from Pikes by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Dunnerdale and the Eskdale Fells from Green Pikes by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Scafells Close up by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking back up to White Pike by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Blooming Marvellous by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Caw.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

[trailmasher]

What a fine report on some fine little fells there Anthony Brings back memories of my great wanders over them. You managed to walk them in superb weather whilst when I was there it was quite dreary with a thunderstorm thrown in Once again some great shots of this beautiful area Pity about Grace having the accident but on the good side she is old enough to be left to her own devices therefore letting you get out and about

[dav2930]

Thanks for posting this JK; it's reminded me that here are two fine Lakeland hills, Caw and Stickle Pike, that I've actually never been up! I Could never understand why AW didn't include them in the Southern Fells. I really must take a trip over to the Duddon and walk these two.

Some very fine photos, as ever - and some particularly good ones of Hughie, I thought.

[past my sell by date]

Great area - well out of the hubbub of the central lakes. Have you done Roger Puttnam's walk (in Richard Gilbert's "Wild Walks)" from Harter Fell to Black Combe? Yoiu really need two cars as it's 21 miles I think and it's much best done going North as you're looking at the Lakeland hills most of the way

[johnkaysleftleg]

What a fine report on some fine little fells there Anthony Brings back memories of my great wanders over them. You managed to walk them in superb weather whilst when I was there it was quite dreary with a thunderstorm thrown in Once again some great shots of this beautiful area Pity about Grace having the accident but on the good side she is old enough to be left to her own devices therefore letting you get out and about

Thanks TM, always a pleasant surprise when some decent weather coincides with a pre-planned trip

Thanks for posting this JK; it's reminded me that here are two fine Lakeland hills, Caw and Stickle Pike, that I've actually never been up! I Could never understand why AW didn't include them in the Southern Fells. I really must take a trip over to the Duddon and walk these two.

Some very fine photos, as ever - and some particularly good ones of Hughie, I thought.

There is some great country south of the Walna Scar Road but these two fells have always had a draw for me as the must have two of the best summit views in the entire district. Hope you get the weather to enjoy them to the full. Hughie was in a good posing mood for once, normally he waits until I point the camera at him and speeds off

Great area - well out of the hubbub of the central lakes. Have you done Roger Puttnam's walk (in Richard Gilbert's "Wild Walks)" from Harter Fell to Black Combe? Yoiu really need two cars as it's 21 miles I think and it's much best done going North as you're looking at the Lakeland hills most of the way

Thank you I most certainly agree about the area, That sounds a fine wander indeed taking in quite a few fells I've yet to explore.

[past my sell by date]

[

Thank you I most certainly agree about the area, That sounds a fine wander indeed taking in quite a few fells I've yet to explore.

Yes you go past Devoke water which I find rather special - you only cross two roads - and you sure won't see many people