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

Last Walk:    13th July 2007 -- Crook of Lune from Lancaster

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