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Carrock Beck ford - Carrock Fell - High Pike - Disused mine - Carrock Beck ford
The weather forecast for this Saturday had changed on the websites almost hourly for the entire week. We didn't know what was in store for us as we travelled to the opposite corner of the Lake District to Mungrisdale at the base of the Blencathra range. Parking up just after the ford over Carrock Beck, we climbed out of the car into the first and fortunately the last little shower of the day (for the walk anyway, it was "persistent"ing down for almost the entire journey home).
We crossed the beck not at the ford like any normal person might but 20 or so metres up the track using a number of very slippery stones before picking up a distinct, clear track that headed up to the right of Carrock Fell summit. The ground underfoot was wet but firm for the climb considering the amount of water the grass was holding.
A quick hop onto the rock summit on our left and after a few photos we hunkered down in the shelter out of an increasing chilly wind for a quick bite and a drink.
The walk out along the ridge to High Pike was boggy but not unpleasant and the sun even put in an appearance. Nice views out to Blencathra & Skiddaw that had cloud bed caps on their summits were on our left and our remaining path round High Pike and down the disused mine tracks showed on the right.
One of the best points about this walk is you can see the entire journey from just about every point on the walk.
Damson got her normal trig point photo on High Pike and then a couple more on the stone bench before we set off down the old mining path through the disused mine and back along Carrock Beck to the car.
Although not as inspiring or naturally as beautiful as some others in the district, Carrock Fell & High Pike offer great views over the northern valleys towards Penrith and Scotland and the back of Blencathra and Skiddaw. A nice little walk with little difficulty.
John heading up to rock summit of Carrock Fell
High Pike from Carrock Fell (picture shows 75% of entire walk today)
Looking back down to car and buildings below Carrock Fell
Damson in new coat on Carrock Fell
Carrock Fell summit with cloud capped Blencathra in background
Damson & I on Carrock Fell
Damson on windy High Pike trig point
Damson on High Pike trig point with Carrock Fell in background
Damson & I on High Pike summit
Damson on High Pike stone bench
Lone tree in disused mine
Carrock Fell silhouette in midday sun
Old mine tracks heading down from High Pike