The Stob by Gleann Crotha - Braes of Balquidder.

[MacAoidh]

Hills Climbed : The Stob (Graham), Stob Caol (Graham Top).
Date : Saturday 8th May,2010.
Distance : 9.3km (5.7 miles).
Time taken : 5hrs. (Including very leisurely breaks of 75 minutes).
Weather : Frosty start, then warm and sunny.
Attendees : MacAoidh and Robin.

It was a most enjoyable drive in the early morning light as I headed up to the Braes of Balquidder last Saturday. The grass by the roadside in Strathyre was white with frost and the hills looked crisp and clear; a good day lay ahead for us.

We parked just beyond Tulloch Farm at the start of the track which leads up Gleann Crotha (NN514206), where there is space for about 3 or 4 cars; we set off from there at 9:05 and followed the excellent track for 40 minutes to its end at NN501225.


Heading towards the plantation from where the track ends

From the end of the track we headed over to the edge of the trees and followed the deer fence to the corner of the plantation at NN499228.


Robin following the deer fence to the corner of the plantation at NN499228



Robin heading to the bealach



The deer fence continues for a short distance and is replaced by a stock fence which heads steeply up the hill following a stream to the bealach at NN497232.


Robin heading up the slopes of The Stob from the bealach

From the bealach it is a nice easy walk over short heather and grass to the summit of The Stob.


The summit of The Stob - Looking towards Ben More and Stob Binnein

We reached the summit at 10:45; there was a chilling breeze, but it was sheltered below the cairn and we sat for 40 minutes enjoying the view in the warmth of the sun.


MacAoidh catching a few rays at the summit cairn


Heading towards Stob Caol

A 25 minute stroll took us over to the Graham Top of Stob Caol, where we enjoyed another wee 10 minute break to take in the view.


Looking towards The Stob from the summit of Stob Caol


We had thought of continuing over Creag nan Speireag and then dropping down to the road; but we could see gaps in the trees which would take us down to the Allt Gleann Crotha, where we could rejoin the track back to the car; so we descended to the Allt Gleann Crotha and sat by an old drystane fank at NN502213 for 25 minutes as we had no wish to rush back on such a lovely day.


Looking back up the track to Stob Caol

On the other side of the Allt Gleann Crotha a deer fence had to be climbed before climbing a short distance to regain the track at NN503212; another deer fence was met and at this point, but the fence posts were very flimsy, so we had to stay on this side of the fence for a short distance till we reached a sturdy straining post, which made it a lot easier to climb. We arrived back at the car at 14:05.