Meall nan Gobhar and Beinn Bhalgrairean

[Benaden887]

Meall nan Gobhar and Beinn Bhalgrairean
15.2km 994m 6.30h

Sunday - forecast good - Early morning mist gives way to brilliant sunshine so by the time I past Luss, thoughts of Cnoc Coinnnich are dispelled in favour of the Glen Lochy grahams. There`s been extensive tree clearance here - a broad swathe has been cut thro the forestry accommodation for the big pylon line. New tracks, give easier access to these previously reclusive hills. I park near Succoth lodge and gear up. Plenty rain last few days, so leather boots - ground could be wet and it is . I follow the SMC guide - on an old right of way up the E bank of the Eas a` Ghaill to the Allt a` Chaorainn - past lodge, cottages, trees - a wet paddle to reach a clearing and view a line of pylons striding their way SE towards glen Falloch. Machinery lies silent - gear litters the pylon bases - each at a different stage of construction. Behind me, a new trail climbs the lower W slopes of Beinn a Chleibh. My path gives way to a 3km cat trail, linking the pylons. At the edge of the forest , the glen opens, and reveals a new deer fence ringing Gabhar. It has a gate, a real pro job. Then, cross the burn, for a wet crag climb of 320m to reach the top with its trickle o stones. Sunny with a cold wind. I pull on my top for a bite and swallow, then head SE to Meall nan Tighearn with great views over the southern hills. Drop back across the Eas a Mhadaidh and say hello as I reach the same fence - scale the wooden gate @218240 to reach the main track. Walk this
to enter the trees @ gr219247 - a log bridge L gives access to a higher track, turn L then R after 50m - the overgrown path becomes a track, SW sees open ground with atv trail leading to a gate in yet another fence - easily bypassed. A boggy 2km across a wet moor brings up the stoney top of Bhalgrain, again, great views. Reverse the route back to the trees, then forest track and a steady but dry walk back to the car.
Views of Cruachan, the Lochy hills, Ben Lui range and the mass of Beinn Bhuidhe.
If it is wondered why from Tighearn I did not go W to the gate at gr 204410 then follow tracks E , well then, having only the OS 50 landranger and a map image in my head of the WH 1.2500 printoffs lying snug at home, I decided to go with what I knew - rather than hoped for. In the end it still works out.
Seen enroute - Man with dog early morning stroll ? long way to go for a paper . Birds frogs deer sheep Ticks but no cleggs, flies or midges