- Carn na Drochaide from across the Dee
The description indicated that you turn up a 'faint' path. Well, faint was one way to describe it, but fortunately I stumbled on it. The path, barely visible, starts almost opposite the start of the tree line on the left, but once on it, it is distinct under foot, although becoming overgrown by heather.
- Start of the path marked by the poles
- The actual start of the 'faint' track off the main track - indicated by the walking ploes
- Indication of how far along the track from Allanaquoich cottage to the start of the track
The track takes a little bit of following, but becomes more distinct once past the line of trees to the right. It does get a little lost in some of the 'wet/swampy' patches, but always appeared slightly further to the right of where I thought it would be, but it could be seen further up, so some heather bashing was needed to regain it.
- faint track can be seen further up the hill
The SMC route indicates that this track goes to the West of the summit of Carn Dearg, but in reality it goes straight over the top, the track actually goes further East than you think before heading up to this summit.
- track going up Carn Dearg
- looking back down, the track is clear
The track is lost in the scree/boulders just before reaching the plateau, there was only a small snow patch (in a hollow) just before the plateau was reached, and the large summit cairn is clearly visible at this point
- snow patch, looking down to Braemar
- Summit Cairn
The summit offers good all round views
- Ben Avon the distance
- View into the Cairngorms
The descent was the same path back, as you head back down the path becomes visible beneath the scree area, and then it can (generally) be easily followed back to the main track. It gets 'lost' in the marshy bits, but is generally soon picked up again.
A short 'jaunt' taking @ 2 1/2 hours, back at the car
