Walk:	Stockghyll Woods, Kirkstone Pass, Red Screes, Middle Dodd, Scandale Pass, High Bakestones, High Pike, Low Pike, Low Sweden Bridge, Rothay Park
Start Point:	Under Loughrigg	Grid Reference:	NY 371 044
Distance:	12 miles	Ascent:	3,290 feet
Time:	6.5 hours
Weather:	Overcast in the morning becoming brighter in the afternoon
Comments:	A short stretch through Rothay Park and Ambleside took us on to Stockghyll woods where the waterfalls were showing the effects of the heavy rain on previous days. Continuing along the track our first summit, Red Screes, was hidden in the mist which we hoped would clear by the time we got there. From the Kirkstone Pass we followed the initially paved route climbing steeply up the flanks of Red Screes. A couple of scrambles added to the interest and with the major part of the climb completed it was time to stop for elevenses. Passing the summit cairn we detoured out to Middle Dodd before making our way down to Scandale Pass. After climbing towards Little Hart Crag we left the main path to make our way over to High Bakestones with its impressive cairn. This made the ideal spot to stop for lunch before following the eastern arm of the Fairfield Horseshoe past High Pike and Low Pike. Another scramble led us off Sweden Crag and down to Low Sweden Bridge before returning to the car.

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

The group gathers . . .

 

beside a swift flowing River Rothay . . .

 

and cross Stock Ghyll Beck

 

to check out the cairns in Rothay Park. The sculpture was created by young local people of Ambleside who worked with local artists Rebecca Heaton Cooper and Sally Toms,

 

Named 'The Turning Point', the sculpture was unveiled and a time capsule was hidden here on 22nd July 2000.

 

Walking through Stock Ghyll woods,

 

we pass the first waterfall . . .

 

to reach Stockghyll Force

 

Even the steps leading to Wansfell Pike have water running down them today

 

Looking across to the Kirkstone Pass, Red Screes if hiding in the mist

 

Pausing at the pass to prepare for the ascent . . .

 

which starts out on a good paved path . . .

 

and higher up we climb into the mist

 

There was a view when we stopped for elevenses  . . .

 

and it reappears as we are about to leave

 

Red Screes . . .

 

with Brothers Water to the north . . .

 

and Windermere to the south

 

Jenny pauses on the descent to . . .

 

Middle Dodd . . .

 

where we check out a traverse to Scandale Pass

 

A 'wee orchid' is spotted on the way

 

Looking down Caiston Beck to Ullswater

 

On the way to . . .

 

High Bakestones . . .

 

a first visit for most of the group . . .

 

and the ideal spot for lunch

 

High Bakestones' cairn with Red Screes in the distance

 

From High Bakestones we make our way . . .

 

to the eatern arm of the Fairfield Horseshoe . . .

 

where the route is rather damp in places

 

Robb meets a family on High Pike

 

Continuing our descent . . .

 

towards low Pike . . .

 

with more views of Windermere

 

Low Pike with High Pike to its left and Little Hart Crag to the right

 

A 'man and his dog' check out the scramble . . . 

 

off Sweden Crag

 

Scandale Beck . . .

 

at Low Sweden bridge

 

Could th water be even higher as we return through Rothay Park!!!

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