It is a while since I was last out (well just over a week) and even longer for George, over a month. Parminder wasn't able to join us due to school runs etc, he is available for tomorrow so I am the lucky one - hitting the hills 2 days running. This was going to be a good test as to how my fitness levels are progressing after my injury problems.
The forecast, like the previous weeks in August was changeable but we could cope with a few spots of rain. I know George likes to visit 'new' hills so I selected a couple that weren't too far away, George kindly offered to drive. The obvious problem we face when we head south or west is congestion, I suggested to George we leave at 7.30am and stop for a coffee at Harthill on the M8, that way we would hopefully miss the usual gridlock in Glasgow. It was an excellent idea, however things didn't go according to plan. I have never stopped at Harthill before and won't be doing again, firstly westbound only seems to have a filling station and M&S. Not a problem, we saw a parking area but couldn't find the way into it, so in frustration we abandoned that plan and took part in the Glasgow congestion. Our route would take us to places neither of us had ever been to firstly Kilbirnie, where we stopped for coffee and then Lochwinnoch. The plan was to tackle Blaeloch first as that would be easy and we would be back at the car with dry boots.
We would be parking in a nice parking area fairly close to the Clyde Coast & Garnock Valley Crematorium - that looks fairly new and is a few miles from any built up area.
Once kitted up we set off along the track.
Parking area
The crematorium
Looking back
George showing me where we are heading
The map without George's finger
Looking across towards the Clyde after a bit of height has been gained
The way ahead, this track must have cost a few bob to make
Yes here they are
Muirhead Reservoir
A few more of our "green" friends
Video taken from the summit of Blaeloch Hill
Descending now, we opted for the direct route back to the track
Once on the summit which took us 50mins we surveyed the surrounding terrain and the direct route looked pretty similar to what we had enjoyed on the brief ascent after the track, so decision was made and 30 minutes lates we were back at the car. We kept our boots on for the drive back along to Lochwinnoch then up the single track road to Muirshiel Country Park main car park.
Hill of Stake, 10.5km, 409m, 3hrs
We arrived in the large car park which had a few big puddles and one other car parked. There is a large building that has toilets and an office where there is a park ranger, along with a charge point for electric vehicles. I had a close look at the charge point as I am curious as to how much a charge costs? There are no charges printed so if anyone is able to spill the beans please feel free? I find it rather odd that all garages have to display how much fuel costs, but charging points don't.
The rangers building and vehicle
The other end of the building, toilets etc
George avoided the large puddle
A couple of dog walkers ahead
A wee video of the bridge we would 'bravely' cross on the way back
The way ahead
It is at the next bridge that we turned left and headed uphill - on the path to the mine area
Looking back down the path
The way ahead nice gradual incline
We took the left fork in the path
Interesting facts, you will have to Google to see what was mined
We behaved ourselves and didn't climb over the fence
Quite a bit of debris at the bottom
First water feature
Second water feature
The way ahead, faint path to follow, wouldn't last long though
Another fenced off area
George loving the going up bits
A bit damp ahead
George marching along behind me, it wasn't that way a few months ago
George leading for a few minutes
You can see the faint path
Hill of Stake trig
We opted to take the direct route back which would take us down the nice glen to the fenced off bridge
George much happier now - descending, we would cross the burn as the terrain on the far side was more walker friendly
The way ahead
Not far to our "unsafe" bridge
A huge thanks to George for driving and this turned out to be another cracking day, the weather played ball, apart from a wee shower on the descent. My boots were rather damp on the outside so they wouldn't be ready for tomorrow's outing, so once home it was a matter of getting everything ready for Parminders arrival. Beinn Bhuidhe to follow.
