| Area | Lake District | Ascent: | 1790 feet |
| Walk No: | 44 | Time: | 4h 15m |
| Date: | 15th July 2007 | Parking: | Near the dam at the foot of Raven Crag |
| Distance: | 8 miles | Weather: | Fine with sunny spells |
| Route: | Thirlmere Dam - Raven Crag - Shoulthwaite Farm - Shaw Bank - St John in the vale Church - Low Bridge End Farm - Thirlmere Dam. |
Before we set off walking I walked to the dam for this picture and for a look down Thirlmere.
On our way here the weather at the south side of Dunmail Raise had been a lot cloudier which can be seen here.
Raven Crag --- Our only "Wainwright" of the day as I had promised Edith a valley walk.
The path up Smaithwaite Banks through the forest was quite slippy in places after all the rain. The summit from the path up.
Looking towards the Helvellyn ridge from the same place
Edith on the summit wondering what happened to her valley walk.
Dave on the summit thinking " Now what can I tell her"
Looking down to the dam with Castle Rock across the valley
The ridge to High Rigg in the foreground with Clough Head behind
From Raven Crag we made our way over to Castle Crag which is marked on the map as an old British Hill fort. It is to the right with the Skiddaws in the distance
Looking south from Castle Crag towards the High Tove - High Seat ridge
Castle Crag
From Castle Crag we returned to pick up the Forestry road leading us down to Shoulthwaite Gill
Shoulthwaite Gill --- At this point I said to Edith " Here's your valley walk"....The reply is not for public display
The footbridge over the Gill. We did set off to follow the path alongside the Gill but returned to the forestry path after finding it absolutely sodden.
Having returned to the forestry path we descended to Shoulthwaite Farm from where this picture of High Rigg is taken
The Dodds from Shoulthwaite farm
I had hoped to persuade Edith to go up High Rigg but had to settle for a walk around it. This is taken from the bridleway to Shaw Bank and shows the Skiddaw Fells
Taken from near Sykes looking back to Bleaberry Fell
Blencathra from St. John in the Vale Church
The Church
From the Church we took the bridleway south towards Legburthwaite.
Taken from the bridleway looking towards Raise & White Side
Looking back towards Blencathra
Castle Rock
Nearing the end of the bridleway where it exits onto the A591
Great How from the exit of the bridleway
Raven Crag from the A591
The Skiddaws from the road near Bridge End Farm
Back to the car.
Next Walk: 18th July 2007 -- Ingleborough and Ribblehead from the Hill Inn