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Plenty of room in the car park this morning, free parking even for those that want it. There is work going on along the path lower down and it is much improved since I was last here. It is really only once you are on the open hill that the path is rougher but the going is good all the way to the top.
Path from Loch Lomond by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
There were passing clouds forming around the top all day but they were being blown clear by a stiff wind, it was noticeably cold on the final shoulder before the top to make me put another layer on, so wind chill was significant.
View over Trossachs from Ben Lomond by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Cloudy corrie, Ben Lomond by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Clearing up, summit Ben Lomond by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Plenty of people walking today, but nearly everyone went back down the way they walked up. I think the steep drop down off the top to go over to Ptarmigan puts most people off. It is a bit of a scramble on the first part but gets easier with each subsequent drop.
Route down to Ptarmigan by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
There has been work on the path even here. There are further improvements being done over at Ptarmigan as the bags of boulders testify. Had my lunch here as I could find a sheltered spot out of the wind. Arrochar Alps for a view.
Ben Lomond with cloud turbulence by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Arrochar Alps by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Ptarmigan top by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Again the drop down from Ptarmigan is a much improved path and it is relatively easy to go down the ridge.
Path down from Ptarmigan by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
The rock fall by
Joe Kincaid, on Flickr
Beyond the gate the path is tighter and rougher, rocky and wet in bits but still nothing arduous and once through the final gate at the woods it is an easy walk back to the car park.
