Cleo's training has been going really well, so I wanted to give her a try out on a longer walk than what she'd done before. Today's walk was about a third more than her previous longest, I really wanted to included Clough Head as well, but was worried it may have been too much. I shouldn't have worried, Cleo took it all in her stride, the only problem I had with her was the sheep. All she wanted to do was round them up all day. Every one we passed she was down on her belly with ears up, very collie like pose. I'm hoping the more we get her out on the fells she will get used to them, Tim did eventually. On the few bits of the walk where there no sheep around Cleo was allowed off her lead and she loved it. She really has loads of energy and hates been on her lead all the time. The weather was glorious, blue sky warm sunshine and light breeze, just about perfect conditions for a high level walk like this one. The panoramic views of the Lakeland Fells were stunning, there was a wee bit of haze which gives the blueish cast on some of the photos, but I couldn't really moan too much about that!
Heading out onto Matterdale Common from the parking are at High Row
The first part of the walk follows the track alongside a forested area
Until you reach the footbridge across Groove Beck, where you leave the track and head towards Great Dodd
The finger post is a good sign I'm heading in the right direction!
After gaining a bit of height Great Dodd comes into sight
and it's not too long before Blencathra and Skiddaw appear on your right
A close up view of Skiddaw, with Lonscale Fell and Skiddaw Little Man front
There were plenty of sheep on the fells, which tested Cleo's patience to the limit, hoping eventually she will not want to chase them?
On Randerside, looking over Whitestones with Helvellyn and Catstycam just visible behind
The view from the same spot, but in the opposite direction
Skiddaw again
and those sheep again, I'm sure they were following us!
Looking back at the small rocky top of Randerside as I made the final steep pull up onto Great Dodd
As I neared the summit the views to the west started to open up
Skiddaw and Blencathra with Clough Head in the foreground from Great Dodd summit
Looking towards Sca Fell Pike from the same spot, a great view, despite the slight haze
and the view to the south towards Helvellyn
Looking back at Great Dodd as we headed for Watson's Dodd
Skiddaw and Blencathra from the summit
Looking across Thirlmere towards Sca Fell Pike and Great Gable
Zooming in
Looking across to the NW Fells
Zooming in on Thirlmere Dam with Raven Crag behind
On the summit of Stybarrow Dodd looking back at the route over Great Dodd and Watson's Dodd
Sca Fell Pike and Great Gable from Stybarrow Dodd
Heading for Whitestones
Looking towards Helvellyn from the col between Whitestones and Stybarrow Dodd
The view over Sticks Pass from the same spot
On the summit of Whitestones, time to find a nice spot for my lunch
The view of Ullswater from the spot I found, suppose it could have been worse?
Great Dodd with Blencathra behind as I headed for Hartside
The shallow ditch on the summit of Hartside
and the view of the northern fells from the summit cairn
Cleo taking a dip to cool off
When there no sheep around Cleo enjoyed a good run off her lead
Ullswater from Birkett Fell
Looking over Glenridding Dodd into Patterdale with High Street in the far distance
Blencathra and Skiddaw from Birkett Fell
From Birkett Fell I followed this wall down (to the right) onto Brown Hills
Helvellyn from Brown Hills
The head of Ullswater from the same spot
Ullswater from Swineside Knott, this is probably the best spot for views of the lake
Heading down to join the path along the wall
The views of Ullswater are better from the path, compared to staying on the path over Watermillock Common
The head of Ullswater
and again
Heading down towards Dockray village
Looking across towards High Row with Blencathra in the background
It was only then I remembered that the last mile from Dockray to High Row would be all up hill!
I hope that you have enjoyed looking at the photograph's from this walk? If you have any questions or comments regarding them or the walk in general, please either leave a message below, or send me an email, and I will get back to you asap. Thanks Gary ...
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Our last walk was a visit to the wild flower meadows of Upper Teesdale
Our next walk a visit to Angle Tarn from Martindale
Other Lake District walks 2011 walks journalAll of the photograph's from this walk were taken using my Canon 5D MkII camera and 24-105mm L series lens
© www.mywainwrights.co.uk (This page was last updated - 21 June 2011 2011)
