Sunday, 3rd June 2012

Walk: Cat Bells, Maiden Moor, High Spy, Rigghead Quarries, Castle Crag, Grange, Manesty Park, Brandelhow Park
Start Point: Hawes End, farmer's field Grid Reference: NY 247 213
Distance: 11 miles Ascent: 3,050 feet
Time: 6.25 hours    
Weather: Overcast with a cold wind on the summits
Comments: Due to lack of interest because of the Diamond Jubilee weekend the planned walk had been cancelled. Consequently a small contingent ventured to the northern Lakes where the forecast was for a dry day. The route headed up the northern end of Cat Bells where we met a group of school children from London. After a short break at the summit we continued on to Maiden Moor where discussions about it's exact location took place. It was then a relatively easy walk to High Spy and down to the disused Rigghead Quarries - and lots of 'holes' to explore. A grassy banking provided the ideal spot for lunch before making our way round to Castle Crag. There we met another group of boys from the same school as the previous group. The come to the Lakes every year and had two more groups out today, one doing the Coledale Round and another doing the Allerdale Ramble. Quite an achievement for the school. As the day had warmed up by this stage a stop at Grange for an ice cream was in order before making our way back through Manesty Park and Brandelhow Park.

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

Arriving on Cat bells . . .

 

just ahead of a group of school boys

 

Derwent Water and Keswick

 

Looking back to Cat Bells . . .

 

as we approach Maiden Moor (Are we really sure this is the right spot?)

 

Looking across Scope End and High Snab Bank to Whiteless Pike

 

High Spy is obviously marked . . .

 

with a smart cairn

 

Heading through Rigghead Quarries . . .

 

the men take time out to explore . . .

 

the various tunnels . . .

 

and pose for an alternative shot

 

John & Robb inspect and old pulley system . . .

 

while I take in the views of Borrowdale . . .

 

and Jenny checks out the climbing hut . . .

 

which is securely locked

 

At another tunnel . . .

 

the rails reveal its use

 

Our lunch spot has good views down Stonethwaite Valley

 

Heading for Castle Crag with Derwent Water in the distance . . .

 

and Derwent Water again from the summit

 

A young family enjoy playing on the rocks

 

Descending the scree path of the spoil heap . . .

 

before checking out a memorial plaque

 

Is this my best side . . .

 

or should it be this one?

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