The fine weather takes us out of the valley and over to Keswick,
where we park at Spooney Green Lane for a walk towards Latrigg.
For a change we head off right, into the woods, on a lower
but still a gradually climbing path along the side of the fell.
Our return route would be on the old tarmac road slightly lower
down and closer to the river, neither of which routes I had
walked in full before.
Parking was tight but we found a spot at the
foot of Spooney Green Lane. Looking back at the start
you just know it is going to be a fine day.
The fells in the distance . . . Dale Head and
Catbells (to the left) Causey Piker (central) and Grisedale
Pike and the NW Fells (to the right).
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Crossing
the A66 looking towards Braithwaite and Whinlatter. |
Looking east to Clough
Head, with just a touch of cloud on the top. |
The start of the climb towards Latrigg . . .
lots of folk about including walkers, runners and mountain bikers.
A couple of fast moving fell runners have already
passed . . . on their way down !
Loes fancies a woodland walk, which means Dylan
doesn't have to do the full climb to the summit.
A sign full of confidence at the junction, but
it was the last one of its type we would see.
Newly planted woodland extends up to the top
of the field we are passing beside.
The lower end of the same planting reaches down
quite some distance and can be seen in passing from the A66.
The bigger picture . . . a 90 degree panorama,
looking down to Keswick and away across to the high fells.
Click
here or on the photo above for a better and slightly
larger annotated version
The track climbs steadily and crossed a part
of Latrigg that was felled for timber a few years back.
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This has
opened up a clear view of a route to the summit ridge. |
The track drops
significantly so we opt for a minor path. |
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- - - o o o - - -
It's been many a year since Loes walked this route
and there seemed little point in losing height
just to have to re-climb it.
We opt for the brown (permitted) path on the map
Which started well but has suffered from
storm damage since the clearance.
It was a reasonable path but seemed more like hard
work
after having walked wide forest tracks up to this
point.
- - - o o o - - -
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There's the old road below and the other forest
track has dipped to meet it.
I'm rather glad we took the alternative route.
The open ground above the woods, the ridge is
not that far above us here.
Looking down, the old woodland is thick enough
to block most views.
Being late winter it is however still clear
of leaves and so we can make out one of the railway footpath
bridges crossing the river below.
Untouched by recent forest vehicles, the path
turns green as the woodland comes to an end.
Just the tracks of boots and a few bikes mark
the surface.
The views ahead open up to reveal Great Mell
Fell and presumably Little Mell fell above the trees to its
right.
Ahead, as clear as day, is Blease Fell and the
path up the western end of Blencathra.
You can also see the white Derwentfolds Farm
building and, further up in the trees, the Blencathra Outdoor
Centre.
Where the track descends to meet the old tarmac
road at the eastern end of Latrigg, Loes found three ladies
to chat to.
They were after local information as to the
various paths onto the fell, so hopefully they were reassured
as to their route.
In the distance, the cloud has gradually lifted
but is still not clear of the Helvellyn Summit.
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- - - o o o - - -
Having reached the mid point of the walk
we take the easy option of the tarmac road back,
not because it was the easiest way
but because I've never done it before
and Loes hasn't been along it since it closed to
traffic.
It will be interesting to see why
the council has chosen not to maintain a through
way
along this minor country lane.
- - - o o o - - -
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Tree-mendous views . . . this time of High Rigg
and the western Thirlmere fells.
The only storms in view today is Storms Farm
on the other side of the river Greta.
The path down below us is the old railway track,
including one of the many bridges across the river.
The road has been closed for so long that the
gate has rotted and just two cones discourage onward travel
by vehicle.
The big bend in the river seen through the trees.
Another old bridge is visible above the forked branch of the
tree.
The steep nature of the ground is probably the
cause of the problems with the road.
- - - o o o - - -
First the road became wet with run off water
from the steep slope and covered with leaves from
the forest.
The inside of the bend (above) shows signs of collapse.
Around the corner there's a definite change of level
as the hillside has slumped three or four feet.
There's a ten foot long ramp or step up in the road.
- - - o o o - - -
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Round teh next corner it was difficult to ascertain
the old road level
under the debris that has fallen from the adjacent
bank.
Soon views down through the trees shows the
caravans at Low Briery and the A66 Keswick (east) road junction.
The end of the damages section of road is marked
by a small sign.
Strangely another barrier further down reinforces
the closure a second time.
Presumably the forestry don't want the upper
area to be blocked by parked cars.
The bridge over the A66 is now virtually redundant
for all but occasional forestry vehicles . . .
and local walkers of course.
The road heads back down past the Calvert Trust
stables.
The centre does a lot with both holidays and
rehabilitation of people with handicaps of all kinds.
[Ann used to volunteer here, helping with
'riding for the disabled' for many years]
A photo of a rather grand 'field oak' close
to the road . . . makes a change from pictures of Herdwicks
!
Greta Bank Farm is also home to a commercial
veterinary practice.
Two confused dogs . . . should they follow me
along the footpath or join Loes on the road ?
Either way, all routes lead on the short distance
back to the houses at Briar Rigg
and to Spooney Green Lane where we parked the
car and started our walk today.