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OS Grid ref: NY 30429 37373
Lat/Long: 54.726510, -03.081749
The weather forecast was for cloud and rain later but it turned
out to be a pleasant drive north along the M6. I drove via
Hesket Newmarket and Caldbeck to Fellside Farm. It is at the
northern end of the Cumbrian fells and there is a small parking
area by a farm track. There was nobody else around when I
arrived. |
North view from Deer Hills |
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The sun was out and I didn't need my jacket as I set off south
along the mines access track. I wasn't on it long as I was
heading directly up the fells to Deerr Hills. I joined an
indistinct grassy miners track that took me to the deep gorge of
Ingray Gill. |
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At the eastern end I joined a more substantial green track which
took me south and gently up up towards Dear Hills. The plural
name is odd because it is one hill on its own as a spur from
High Pike. It was nice to have a distant view of the fells to
the west. On Deer Hill summit nothing marks the highest point
but there is a large boulder a short way to the southeast.
Directly ahead is the large mass of High Pike and I followed the
green track to the main track on the west side of Caldbeck Fells
which is also the Cumbria way trail. |
Deer Hills boulder to High Pike. |
Looking down Hay Gill. |
High Pike cairn, trig post & seat. |
At the track I continued straight across on a wide grassy path
heading south east directly up the fell. I kept a look out for
or possible campsite pitch for some time in the future but there
was no level ground anywhere.
Below the summit I saw a
figure approaching. It was a lady on her way down the mountain.
We said a brief hello as we passed and shortly after I was at
the stone shelter just below the summit of High Pike. I didn't
stop but continued to the actual summit and the Ordnance Survey
trig post which also has a direction information plate. |
High Pike information plate. |
High Pike information plate. |
Slightly to the south is a bench seat made of slate with
text carved in back rest. It says:
“He is a portion of the
loveliness Which once he made more lovely.”
It is a quote
from Percy Shelley’s (1792–1822) ‘Adonais’. |
High Pike seat. |
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I continued south to descend and towards Hare Stones but before
reaching the area joined the main track and turned sharply left
to descend down to the mine area. It is a substantial track and
is stoned and descends to the northeast. It was a pleasant walk
past Red Covercloth where I stopped briefly to investigate a
large mine opening which was surrounded by substantial post and
wire fence. I didn't climb over but threw some stones down the
chasm which I could hear bouncing down quite a long way. |
Mine workings. |
View across to Carrock Fell. |
I continued on the main track and then turned off east down
an indistinct grassy path to the deep gorge above the Sandbed
Mine area. It was quite interesting wandering down through the
old spoil heaps which have lain redundant for over 120 years. I
joined another track for a short distance then investigated
another fenced off area. This wasn't a deep shaft but a pool of
crystal clear water about 2m deep and must have an inlet from
the mine workings as the outlet was running at quite a pace. |
Clear mine drainage. |
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There had been a |
Mine drainage pool above. |
Mine drainage pool below. |
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Following down the track I headed across open grassy fellside
towards Hudscales Farm. I was now off the fell and crossing
relatively flat land. I followed a faint path to the north west
but missed a gate opening and had to return turn to join it and
cross some fields to Nether Row. This is the end of an access
road and a collection of buildings and a farm. This is also
where the mountaineer Chris Bonington has a house. I joined the
farm access track towards Potts Gill. It followed an interesting
route down to Blea Wath stream then up to the farm buildings. |
Potts Gill. |
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The path diverted to the left and into a field to follow round
the south side of the buildings. For a while it was horribly wet
through rushes so I climbed higher to get away from the bad
ground. I came to the buildings at Little Fellside to join theri
concrete access road. I left the track to follow a green path
towards Fellside Farm whereI saw two mountain bikers. |
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They got off to negotiate a short climb up from a stream and it
turned out one was a local friend Jeff who recognised me
immediately. He was riding with his friend Chris and they were
heading in the general direction of Potts Gill. When I told them
of the horribly wet ground they decided to divert to another
route. It wasn't far back to Fellside Farm so we walked together
to my car in the parking area. It was now full of other
vehicles. Jeff and Chris got on their bikes and descended to
continue their ride. I set off home. |
Chris and Geff. |
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