Whitewater Dash Waterfall, Skiddaw House, Lonscale Fell, Skiddaw, Ullock Pike, Cumbria. Wed 30 Aug 2006

I drove north from Keswick on the A581 and before Bassenthwaite village took the right fork up a narrow lane heading to Orthwaite. A short way up is a decent sized parking area on the right which is were I left my car. I’d had some light rain during the drive from home but it had now stopped. There was plenty of cloud about but it was mostly high, except for some hanging on Skiddaw and obscuring the summit. I started walking north along the road until I reached Peter House Farm. A farm track off to the right is the start of the route to Skiddaw House. I walked along it towards Dash Farm and then took the right fork when the Farm came into sight. There is now a wonderful view up the valley with Whitewater Dash waterfall in the distance. It is quite a good road and most 4 wheel drive vehicles would probably get along OK. At the first gate there was a Landrover parked up but nobody was in sight. As I continued I saw 2 walkers in the distance. They were quite a way apart so I don’t think they were together. At the falls the sun came out briefly and I managed to get a nice photo looking down the valley.

Above Whitewater Dash Falls.

Distant view of Skiddaw House.

Skiddaw House and renovators.

At the top of the falls the track levels out and I came across one of the walkers I’d seen earlier. He’s stopped for a drink and as I looked up to my right I could see the other walker heading up the fence line towards Bakestall. The track then crosses the wonderfully named area of Candleseaves Bog. Then in the distance I could see the familiar view of the magnificent Skiddaw House. The last time I was here there was someone in residence doing some restoration work on the property. As I drew closer I noticed a quad bike and trailer parked outside and by the time I reached the front door I noticed it was open. A knock and a shout and I was greeted by two men who were also working on the renovation of the property. Though no longer a Youth Hostel they still want to open it to the public. I just hope they get plenty of support. I continued along the track towards Keswick, which is also the Cumbria Way.

North of Skiddaw House the Cumbria Way splits into two routes and both come together again near Caldbeck on the northern side of the fells. Up to my right was a spectacular view of Lonscale Fell, which was where I was heading but not by the direct route. The path now cuts its way across the steep slope of Lonscale Crags and must be one of the nicest paths in Cumbria.

The Cumbria Way
heading towards Keswick.

The climb up Lonscale Fell
with St John's in the Vale in the distance.

As I left the valley side and emerged onto grass slopes above Keswick I took a right turn at the gate and headed straight up the fell following the fence line. This took me straight to the summit of Lonscale Fell, a summit I’ve never visited before.

Northern view from Lonscale Fell.

The views were spectacular, particularly the northern horizon. A nice green path took me to Jenkin Hill and then joined the main route up Skiddaw. The path was very busy with many people going up and down. Not much further on I reached the cloud level and nothing much could be seen but just on the final approach to Skiddaw summit trig point the cloud briefly cleared to the left and I was able to see down to Bassenthwaite Lake.

The misty Summit of Skiddaw.

Ullock Pike to Bassenthwaite Lake.

I reversed my route then took the steep stoney path down to Carl Side. By now I was below the cloud and could see the ridge of Ullock Pike ahead. It looked very impressive and I couldn’t wait to get on it. The path was an exhilarating route with some interesting steep scrambly bits which had to be negotiated. Once off the fell I crossed a stile and down a pleasant green meadow back to the car.