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Another weekend adventure, unfortunately George was unavailable so I suggested to Parminder we take a break from the Donald's and tackle a couple of wee hills in the wild west.
We did our usual research and noticed there are plenty of reports for Ben Bowie and a few for the Fruin. I worked out what I thought would be the easiest routes for both hills, with the least amount of ascent as that is what I am struggling with.
I did notice that Jaxter has at least 5 reports for Bowie and only one for Fruin and we can understand why. Fruin is definitely not a hill I will be returning to, if it isn't the worst hill I have walked up it is not far off. Not only is the summit area like a sponge with soft mushy ground the approach is far, far worse.
Parminder volunteered to drive and we left Fife before 8.30 and we opted to tackle Bowie first and parking is fairly limited and isn't helped by the majority of cars belonging to dog walkers - not that I object to dog walkers.
Ben Bowie route
The way to Ben Bowie
Excellent track with a nice gentle incline, perfect for me
Looking back
Dogwalkers ahead and certainly well used by them
Still ascending
Looking back
Slightly higher view of Loch Lomond
Primroses - I believe
Not long before we leave the luxury of the track
Parminder leading the way towards the forest
Looking back
A very hazy Loch Lomond now
Faint path leading us towards the forest
Parminder will soon catch me up
Path uphill through the forest
The track & the loch
Parminder marching through the forest
Looking back
First of a few obstacles
Quite a few trees down
Over and under
Our exit spot from the forest
Looking north towards Glen Fruin where we be heading next
Waiting for me before the final push
Lovely daffodils on the summit area
A hazy Helensburgh
The Clyde and Gare Loch meeting
More daffs
Not the biggest cairn
Parminder spotted these red conifer buds
Really enjoyed Ben Bowie it is a cracking wee hill that offers great views (on a decent day), unfortunately it was just too hazy for any decent photo's.
After Bowie we kept our boots on for the short car journey along the Glen Fruin road. I was surprised to see a small parking area, that was a bonus because the road down Glen Fruin is single track.
The Fruin
Parking area for our next challenge - The Fruin
Overgrown cattle grid
We won't be going that far
Good path uphill
Looking back down towards the vehicles
After the small gate we turn right
The way ahead for us, the plan was to loosely follow the wall uphill picking our way through the awful terrain
Interesting modification in the wall to allow the burn to flow freely
Dead bracken isn't a problem, cattle have also been on the ground making it very uneven
Looking back, the lump in the distance is Ben Bowie
Not getting any better
Progress is slow but we are getting there
A bit of flora
More flora
The grass looks dry, it wasn't lower down
Looking back
The slight lump in the distance is The Fruin, the real "boggy" fun is about to begin
Following the fence, trying to find the best ground
Getting closer and the bog is going to get really bad - welly's recommended
Looking back
Parminder's cool pose
Gare Loch, NW
Looking across to Ben Lomond and the big boys
Summit area of the Fruin, and even the whole area is spongy and soggy
The Fruin cairn, not really worth all the effort and sogginess
More flora
And more
Camera photo - possibly Helensburgh
This was another enjoyable day, well Ben Bowie was and we plan to get back on our Donald mission next week with Cairnsmore of Carsphairn on the menu and if we feel OK maybe carry on and tackle Moorbrock Hill.