I'd been putting this walk off for a few weeks. The reason, well I was wanting to get a couple of particular shots, but I didn't want any visible snow on the fells. The forecast sound great, but as usually happens it didn't quite turn out like that. Yes there was plenty of warm spring sunshine to enjoy. But the mist that was lying in the valley's in the early morning lifted to produce a lot of haze. Which really didn't help getting the photos, but did produce some nice moody shots when looking back into the sun. It was pretty chilly when I left Rosthwaite, in fact it was just below freezing, with a light frost on the grass. I soon warmed up though, and I hadn't got very far up the climb to Rigghead Quarry before my body warmer and fleece were off! I was surprised at how quite it was, well early on. The first people I met were on Narrow Moor, and it wasn't until I started making the descent off Maiden Moor towards Hause Gate that I met the hoards heading up. I did think about of extending the walk onto Cat Bells. One look at how crowded it was from the col, and I didn't hesitate in starting the descent straight down towards Grange village. The visit to Cat Bells will have to wait for one early morning when there aren't so many people about.
The view of Skiddaw across Derwent Water as I headed alongside Derwent Water towards Rosthwaite
Maiden Moor and Cat Bells reflected in the clam water of the lake, well I just had to stop and get a few photos!
There was still a slight frost on the grass as I headed out of Rosthwaite
Heading out of the village, m ascent route will be straight up the valley in front
A couple of new born lambs sporting the latest design in waterproof lambs clothing!
Early morning sun on Grange Fell
The 'new' bridge across the River Derwent
Tim was back out with me today, after missing my last couple of walks
Castle Crag
It was warm work climbing up towards Rigghead Quarries
Tim leading the way up the final steep section through the old workings
With the hard work out of the way, I could take a breather and enjoy the view across the valley towards the distant Helvellyn range
Once I was on the ridge leading up to High Spy, Dale Head came into view
Looking south towards what's probably one of the best skylines your likely to see
The first cairn you come to on High Spy, it's not the summit, but there's a great view of Dale Head from there
There's another one a little to the east with just a good a view towards Helvellyn
The view to the north over Derwent Water towards Skiddaw and Blencathra wasn't bad either
A misty view of the 'Dodds to Helvellyn' ridge
The summit of High Spy
A great spot to enjoy a coffee and take in the views
This is one of the photos that I was after, the amazing view of Dale Head from crags that cover the west side of High Spy
After the coffee stop is was time to head north along the ridge towards Maiden Moor
Looking back at the summit cairn, with Great Gable now visible to the right
Great Gable and Dale Head
The 'North Western' fells from a pool on High Spy
The views were still very impressive, despite the hazy conditions
Hindscarth and Robinson
Looking back at Dale Head with Hindscarth to its right
The Newlands valley from Maiden Moor
Cat Bells and Derwent Water from Maiden Moor
Looking across Derwent Water towards the distant Blencathra
Walla Crag and Bleaberry Fell from the same spot, can you spot the red rafts on the lake?
The view from my lunch stop, idyllic!
Heading towards Grange village
Grange village
It was really warm today and Tim took every chance for a cooling dip when he found water!
King's How and the River Derwent
High Steel Knott's
Grange Fell from the Cumbria Way
Back over the 'new' bridge
Just the short walk now back along the lane to Rosthwaite
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 walk around Brothers Water
Our next walk was a visit to Sour Howes
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 - 31 March 2011)
