Hart Fell Horseshoe

[U059361]

Parked the car beside an entrance to a garage and a field. There is not a lot of room despite reports saying otherwise on WH. I was careful not to block anything, one other car was already parked there. Might have got one more in.
At the start of the walk had to walk up the side of the burn next to the large farm shed to avoid a group of bullocks on the other side. There is a worn path of sorts up to the top of the field where the burn comes out of the gorge. Crossed over above the gate and started my ascent through the bracken. There are sheep tracks of sorts to follow. I ended up sticking to the side of the gorge, it was easier, less bracken. At top of slope, walked over to the cairn to get my first view of Saddle Yoke tops.
Cairn looking to Black Craig by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
The route up Swatte Fell is fairly obvious, even if path is faint. Good walking with only the odd wet bit. At the top of the climb, the view up the valley is great and there is even a little spur sticking out of the top to give you an even better view.
The Saddle Yokes over Black Hope by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Hart Fell and Craigs by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
The walking from here to the top of Hart Fell is straight forward, following fence lines again, with a bit of corner cutting. The views down into the valley are made special by Saddle Yoke pair and very steep sides.
P7160995 Stitch by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Had my lunch at top behind the dyke to keep the wind off. Still sunny though on occasion.
Hart Fell top by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Fruid Reservoir from Hartfell Rig by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Craigs from Whirly Gill by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
It is downhill for quite a long way to get to Under Saddle Yoke and good time can be made. It got a bit wetter towards the burn between the two hills, I kept as high as possible so as not to lose height and then took a direct route to the top.
Approaching the Saddle Yokes by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Great views over the valley from Under Saddle Yoke, to its twin, back to Hart Fell etc.
To my surprise, feral goats lept out of the grass on my approach, half a dozen of them, noisily moving away, no doubt annoyed at being disturbed.
Feral Goats on Upper Saddle Yoke by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
One Yoke to another by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
View back to Hart Fell from Saddle Yoke by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
A bit of a ridge walk to the next top just for a change. Sat here for a while having a drink and a tunnocks waiting for the sun to come back out for photos. Met a couple of guys coming along behind me and we blethered most of the way back down.
Going down Saddle Yoke by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Black Hope before dropping off Saddle Yoke by Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
It doesn't look much of a drop from the top, but going over the edge back down to the farm track was sore on the knees and I was glad to reach it. The track leads right back to where the car was parked. Perfect. A surprisingly fast walk for such a distance, especially for me. The large down hill part obviously helped as did the good ground for walking.

[Gordie12]

Thanks for posting this - did the horseshoe today and your notes helped me (also got me out of bed early to make sure I could get parked).