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I've got to admit, the Lake District stopped at Skiddaw and Blencathra as far as I was concerned, until, that is, we decided to collect Wainwrights, from then on I've discovered fells I didn't know existed and we've enjoyed collecting them probably because they're off the beaten track and not visited to the same degree as the rest of the Lake District.
Carrock Fell and High Pike are two hills right on the edge of the Northern Lakes and two of the remaining four to finish the ones in that guide book.
So, with the weather staying fair, its been cracking of late,we decided to have another training day in prep for our trip to Skye on the 11th.
It's a long drive so we set off early Sunday, well, earlyish, 7.15am as it was, for the two hour drive hoping to get away walking by 9.30, the timing was spot on and we were making our way from the parking spot near Stone End Farm by 9.35.
Carrock Fell from the car parking spot.
The day was looking promising.
The initial part of this walk is on a pretty steep slope following the path called Rake Trod up the side of Further Gill Sike.
Looking back from higher up on Rake Trod,
Stone End Farm, near the parking area.
This path is clear to follow, on loose stones but not tricky and height is gained very quickly. This is one of those walks where most of the ascent is done in one go and, from the car, its 300m of sustained climbing to a point where it starts to level off and become a little less steep towards the summit.
Gaining height, Further Gill Sike.
Action shot, just before it levels off, lovely blue skies to remain so for most of our time out.
From the car the total ascent is 410m to the top of Carrock Fell so its a good work out from the off, plenty of photo stops to make it easier, well, that's my excuse.
On the summit the views suffered a bit from haze so it wasn't exactly great for photo's.
On the summit.
We could see Blencathra, Skiddaw, Clough Head, Knott, Great Calva, Great Mell Fell and our next target, High Pike, the way ahead promised to be a nice steady walk.
Knott and Great Calva etc.
Skiddaw, I think.........
High Pike. The way ahead, nice and gentle, steady away.
A rare "me" photo
High Pike again and the big open space behind.
After the usual summit photo's and something to eat we set off down the rocky path towards High Pike, it's about 2.5 miles from summit to summit. This section is a pleasant walk, especially after a long dry spell like we've had, I can imagine its quite boggy usually but today it was pretty dry and the going was a delight over springy grass and dry moss. The path improved as we got to Miton Hill, a bit further on it joined the Cumbria way and stayed well defined all the way to the top of High Pike.
On the summit there's a wind shelter which was not needed today and a bench to sit on and rest your legs and a trig point.
On the summit of High Pike.
The views were extensive but stil a bit hazy, looking north its surprising how flat it becomes in comparison to the south the west and east, you really get a sense of space up here.
Views from the summit, looking west.
Carrock Fell.
North East.
We spent 15 minutes on the summit just looking and savouring the wonderful ambience of the surroundings, we decided to take a leisurely walk back to the car from the top stopping for lunch by a large boulder just by the old mining sites at the head of Carrock Beck.
Lunch Boulder.
Views from lunch boulder.
Looking back to High Pike.
Carrock Fell.
A wider shot to Carrock Fell
After a leisurely lunch we set off along the track which follows Carrock Beck down to the road.
Looking back to High Pike from a way down the track.
And down towards the road.
Walking down this path we could make out the road, we didn't fancy the walk along it back to the car so decided to go off piste and walk across the lower slopes of Carrock Fell, this wasn't too bad with it being dry and we covered the distance in good time.
Off piste flower, there were loads of these little yellow flowers, they must thrive in damp conditions.
Off piste views, up to High Pike.
Carrock Fell.
Towards the road, it doesn't look too bad.
Where have all the mountains gone?
We walked above the road heading for "Apronful of Stones", its marked on the map, have a look, I guess the name has something to do with the old mining activities, this was very near to our parking spot, so a good point to aim for.
Final photo, just before we arrived at the road we saw this, unlike the yellow flowers we only saw a couple of these,
anybody know what it is?
When we arrived back at the car it was still early so we relaxed in the sun and took our time, it's not always possible to do this so we took full advantage of it before setting off for home.
This part of the Lakes is a total contrast to the more popular areas, it's peacful, less dramatic and great for gentler walks, just Bakestall and Binsey left to finish the Northern Fells, we're looking forward to them.
