free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Managed to get parked on the roadside in Grasmere and cut through the wooded area to come out on to Easdale Road. Continued ahead and then turned up this track. "Not for cars" sign - surely no-one has tried it in a car?
Followed the track, through the gate, then right along the back of the wall until I met the path going up Helm Crag.
Looking across to Easdale and the waterfall. There were a few others walking today on Helm Crag but as soon as I passed there it got quieter and quieter.
Looking back towards Grasmere - great view for not very much effort.
Looking at the Lion and the Lamb - although it looks more lion-ish and lamb-ish from other angles.
The Howitzer - I didn't try it!
Heading along to Gibson Knott views of Easdale Tarn appear. Very quiet along here - just me and what looked like a Duke of Edinburgh group - later I heard them discussing the fact they were about to walk off the edge ... of their map! When I studied the route the night before I realised I needed more than one map but only for a tweeny weeny little section, and then I would be back on my main map again - so I decided to be a crazy risk taker and only take the one, I did feel a little bit guilty tbh, and I think I walked extra fast while I was off my map for a few hundred metres 'til I got back on it again!
Looking back to Helm Crag from the top of Gibson Knott.
Looking across to Steel Fell from the top of Gibson Knott. I would be across there on the way back.
From the top of Calf Crag looking towards Steel Fell. Steel Fell Tarn just visible. I just headed directly across to Steel Fell Tarn from Calf Crag following the old metal fence posts; it's quite boggy but the fence posts are a pretty good route across it.
Steel Fell Tarn - very pretty - I never saw anyone all the way from Calf Crag until I was back on Easdale Rd at the very end of the walk.
Looking back across to Helm Crag and Gibson Knot where I was earlier.
Stopping to admire the view on Steel Fell.
Followed the fence & path to top of Steel Fell, with Thirlmere behind.
The route back down from Steel Fell to Grasmere. Lots of bracken but the path is clear, good views all they way of where I had been earlier. Came to the end of the path and turned left, through the gate and followed the narrow road all the way back below Helm Crag, lots of blackberries slowed me down, then onto Easdale Road again, shortcut through the woods and back to the car. Too late for Gingerbread!
