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Another 'local' outing picking off another couple of hills that haven't been frequented by my good self. So after looking at the map I opted for a couple of Grahams on the other side of St Fillans. After looking at the walk reports for the duo, I decided to yet again create my own route. So with my route plotted and loaded into my phone I was ready.
I arrived at the parking area at the foot of the hill and was on my way by 8,45 and the good news is that I gained 200m of height on the track before I opted to go off piste
Early morning low level shot of Loch Earn
Take your pick
Off we go up
Slightly higher shot of Loch Earn looking towards St Fillans
A few uninhabited small buildings
Decisions
My route up Creag Each
I was tempted to head uphill when I reached the fence and it looks as if a few other walkers have done that, however I continued and gained a bit more height before picking my route.
Very prominent cairn
Looking back, the track can be seen
Plan is to head up the stone gully
Ascent route zoomed
Caravan site on the south side of Loch Earn zoomed
Kind of indicates the steepness, good thing is height is gained rapidly
The stone covered gully I was planning to follow had some nice grassy terrain for me utilise and the ascent was easy and straightforward. Once at the top of the gully, the cairn was on my right and the summit was over a few humps on the left. On the ascent I had to peel off a couple of layers as the sun was beating down, that all changed just as I reached the summit, not only was it blowy but the sun went in so the layers were put back on
Looking back down
St Fillans zoomed
Aforementioned prominent cairn
Creag Each summit cairn
Ben Vorlich zoomed
Ben Vorlich again with Stuc a' Chroin in the background
My plan descent wise off Creag Each was to make for the track again and follow it north and then back south. The other option was to trudge across the Glen which I guessed would be squidgy and kind of uneven. As I was going round Sron Mhor I checked my watch and thought I was making really good time, then it suddenly dawned on me that I was still an hour behind
As I rarely wear my watch I may just leave it until Oct as it goes in the far too difficult category
Eastern end of Loch Earn
Any suggestions?
Looking rather dry
No water either
Quite a few new pipes dotted around
Still no water and not much chance of drowning
My initial ascent route up Creag Ruadh
My ascent route up Creag Ruadh wasn't set in stone, so I was surveying the terrain on the left and noticed what looked like a good option and was quite pleased with my decision. The short grass up the gully made for easy going
Looking back across to Creag Each
Came across a few patches of 'burnt ground'
Looking back down my ascent route
Plenty of grouse butts
Fenced off because?
Once the higher ground was reached to the south of Loch Eas Domhain, the going became boggy in patches and it was a matter picking my way across the ground before the final push
There are a few crags around Creag Ruadh so it was a matter of scanning the way ahead and the rocky summit was soon reached.
Summit of Creag Ruadh
Ben More & Stob Binnein in the distance
Above shot zoomed
Arty shot, a couple of lochans with Ben More in the background
Shock horror, a path, however it wasn't going in the direction I wanted to head
My descent route across the heather to the other side of Glen Tarken
My plan was to head across Glen Tarken to pick up the ascent track back to the car. I was expecting it to be tough going but was pleasantly surprised how easy it was and my boots even stayed dry
Crossed over the track heading for St Fillans
Only obstacle of the day the raging torrent of Glen Tarken Burn
Nice easy descent back to the road
Eastern end of Loch Earn again
Yet another enjoyable outing, neither of the hills are difficult and Creag Each offers great views of the 2 Munro's on the south side of Loch Earn.
I only posted this WR as nobody else has advertised this route
Next will be more of the same
