Monamenach - short walk/steep climb

[Gordie12]

Yesterday was such a nice day that I just had to get out to the hills. The previous evening sunset was spectacular and so the plan was to start this walk at around 8pm allowing me to get to the top of Monamenach before the sun was down. Great plan but by 3.30pm I couldn't wait any longer so grabbed some gear and headed off on the fairly short drive over to Glen Isla.

It was just before 5pm I started walking so definitely no sunset pics but a beautiful early evening none the less. It's 9 years since I last climbed this hill and all I could really remember was that it was a short and steep climb and nothing has changed in the intervening years - it's still short and it's still steep!!

I parked at the bridge over the Isla, a few hundred yards beyond Auchavan and walked back to the road to start the climb.

View into the Cairngorms following the River Isla and Monega Hill route

Bearing right past the buildings and sharp left at the turning area I was quickly clear of Auchavan and after taking a left on to a grassy track I quickly hit the main track that heads steeply uphill.

Grassy track heading away from Auchavan

Head down time and try and keep the legs moving as I trudge up the ever steepening slope till I reach the bealach between my intended hill and Creagan Caise.

Good track to follow

First view of Mount Blair at the bealach

At this point there is a fairly obvious wide grassy track heading off to the right and up to the top of Monamenach and fairly quickly I'm at the top with fantastic views into the Gorms and to the south. There is the odd cloud around and when the sun is blocked out and the wind is fairly strong it's a reminder that it can still be quite cold at this height even it it's fairly warm back down in the more sheltered glen.

Summit of Monamenach

View into the Cairngorms

And again

The summit with Mount Blair beyond

I stayed at the summit for about 15 minutes which was enough time to eat two dairylea cheese and raspberry jam rolls and a white chocolate Kit Kat. A wander round the summit and a few photos bagged and it was time to head back down the hill. Back at the bealach I considered wandering over to Creagan Caise but decided to leave it for another day.

It didn't take long to get back down the hill and as I approached Auchavan I turned left after the grassy track to head towards the woods and then down to the bridge where the car was parked.

And the reason for this was as follows..............

Excuse me Mr, can I have a shot?

Monega Hill route

It was 6.30pm and there was nobody about (I don't think there was anyone about when I started just before 5pm either) so a good chance to get up close to some of these machines and get some photos. The trees are all stacked right beside the Monega Hill route. The actual felling seems to be taking place on higher ground but there could well be logging lorries being loaded directly on the path on any given day.

From the forestry works it's only about 100 yards back to the bridge over the Isla and the start of the walk.

Looking over to the parking area from the forestry works

View from the bridge

Decent parking area although the forestry workers may use this when they are on site

In terms of Corbetts this is about as easy as it gets. My actual walking time was 1 hr 26 mins with the remainder taken up with eating and taking photos.

Really nice night to be out (even if it was way too early to see the sunset).










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[dogplodder]

Nice to see what it looks like minus the clag! My memories of this one are of clammy opaqueness, relentless midges and picking up seven ticks between us... so probably my least favourite Corbett.

[Gordie12]

Nice to see what it looks like minus the clag! My memories of this one are of clammy opaqueness, relentless midges and picking up seven ticks between us... so probably my least favourite Corbett.

Yip, you single handedly put me off the Monega Hill circuit with that report (although I was checking out the route when I was on the top of Monamenach).

[dogplodder]

Don't be put off... .Minus clag, midges and ticks it would be a great round.