Clough Head via Fisher's Wife's Rake - Tuesday 30 October 2018
Route
Wanthwaite Bridge - Bramcrag Quarry - Fisher's Wife's Rake - Jim's Fold - Clough Head - White Pike - Old Coach Road - Hausewell Brow - Wanthwaite Bridge
Parking
Verge parking near Wanthwaite Bridge - Grid Ref NY3127 2307. There is additional parking on the verge near Lowthwaite Farm - Grid Ref NY3188 2238
Mileage
6.4 miles
Terrain
Generally good mountain paths with some mild exposure when ascending Fisher's Wife's Rake - the ascent of which is on steep ground.
Weather
Cold yet sunny with excellent visibility.
Time Taken
4hrs 30mins
Total Ascent
2086ft (636m)
Wainwrights
1
Map
OL5 - The English Lakes (North Eastern Area)
Wanthwaite Bridge - Bramcrag Quarry - Fisher's Wife's Rake - Jim's Fold - Clough Head - White Pike - Old Coach Road - Hausewell Brow - Wanthwaite Bridge
Parking
Verge parking near Wanthwaite Bridge - Grid Ref NY3127 2307. There is additional parking on the verge near Lowthwaite Farm - Grid Ref NY3188 2238
Mileage
6.4 miles
Terrain
Generally good mountain paths with some mild exposure when ascending Fisher's Wife's Rake - the ascent of which is on steep ground.
Weather
Cold yet sunny with excellent visibility.
Time Taken
4hrs 30mins
Total Ascent
2086ft (636m)
Wainwrights
1
Map
OL5 - The English Lakes (North Eastern Area)
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GPX File
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Walk Description
Clough Head sits quite near the A66 and opposite another of our favourite fells, Blencathra. It dominates the southern side of the road as you approach Keswick from the direction of Penrith and is near the delightful village of Threlkeld. We have climbed Clough Head many times, mainly from the Old Coach Road via White Pike and also when walking on The Dodds. It is a fell full of interest and one ascent of it has always intrigued us - Fisher's Wife's Rake.
So why is this particular aspect and route up the mountain called Fisher's Wife's Rake? Apparently some two hundred or so years ago the Fisher's lived in the nearby hamlet of St John's in the Vale and in order to provide fuel for his family Mr Fisher cut peat up on Clough Head. However, whilst peat cutting was extremely hard work for Mr Fisher, it was his poor old Missus that I feel had the hard part of the bargain. You see, in order to get the peat back to the family property, poor old Mrs Fisher had to haul the dried fuel down a steep, stony & grassy descent. Climbing up it is extremely steep and lung busting but hauling heavy peat down a hazardous incline must have been quite an ordeal and not to mention extremely dangerous. She must have been quite a woman!!
The walk today started from near Wanthwaite Bridge where there is verge parking available for several cars - additional parking can be found to the south near Lowthwaite Farm. Following a short walk along the quiet road and after passing the entrance to Lowthwaite Farm a path leaves the road to the left and almost immediately doubles back on itself. This track leads to the disused Bramcrag Quarry and it is worth having a look around at the various artefacts and old mining equipment that are strewn about the area. At the northern end of the quarry a gate on the right gives access to the open fell side with a wall on the left. We handrailed the wall with Fisher's Wife's Rake to our right and whilst it may be tempting to simply head over the boulders and scree to reach the base of the Rake, it is best to follow the wall to its highest point. Here there is a faint path heading due south which leads to the lone Rowan Tree that marks the start of the ascent of the Rake.
At the Rowan Tree there are two options - either take the path to the left to ascend the Rake via the recognised route or if you are feeling a bit more adventurous then maintain the same direction and head up the rake via a steeper and pathless route - the latter way meets the former near the top of the Rake. Once at the top of the Rake, the gradient eases and to the right Sandbed Gill suddenly appears. The route accompanies the gill for a short while to pass Jim's Fold where a faint path leads to the summit of Clough Head adorned with small shelter and Trig Point. With the climbing now over it is a very pleasurable amble down to White Pike from where the path down to the Old Coach Road sweeps to the left to head steeply downhill. It is said that the Old Coach Road predates the Romans and in the past has been used for moving stock, mining materials and people for hundreds of years.
Once on the Old Coach Road it is now a simple case of turning left and following the good path all the way back to the road near the turning for Wanthwaite Bridge. We really enjoyed this outing today - having been up on Clough Head many times this is certainly the most exciting way of reaching the summit.
So why is this particular aspect and route up the mountain called Fisher's Wife's Rake? Apparently some two hundred or so years ago the Fisher's lived in the nearby hamlet of St John's in the Vale and in order to provide fuel for his family Mr Fisher cut peat up on Clough Head. However, whilst peat cutting was extremely hard work for Mr Fisher, it was his poor old Missus that I feel had the hard part of the bargain. You see, in order to get the peat back to the family property, poor old Mrs Fisher had to haul the dried fuel down a steep, stony & grassy descent. Climbing up it is extremely steep and lung busting but hauling heavy peat down a hazardous incline must have been quite an ordeal and not to mention extremely dangerous. She must have been quite a woman!!
The walk today started from near Wanthwaite Bridge where there is verge parking available for several cars - additional parking can be found to the south near Lowthwaite Farm. Following a short walk along the quiet road and after passing the entrance to Lowthwaite Farm a path leaves the road to the left and almost immediately doubles back on itself. This track leads to the disused Bramcrag Quarry and it is worth having a look around at the various artefacts and old mining equipment that are strewn about the area. At the northern end of the quarry a gate on the right gives access to the open fell side with a wall on the left. We handrailed the wall with Fisher's Wife's Rake to our right and whilst it may be tempting to simply head over the boulders and scree to reach the base of the Rake, it is best to follow the wall to its highest point. Here there is a faint path heading due south which leads to the lone Rowan Tree that marks the start of the ascent of the Rake.
At the Rowan Tree there are two options - either take the path to the left to ascend the Rake via the recognised route or if you are feeling a bit more adventurous then maintain the same direction and head up the rake via a steeper and pathless route - the latter way meets the former near the top of the Rake. Once at the top of the Rake, the gradient eases and to the right Sandbed Gill suddenly appears. The route accompanies the gill for a short while to pass Jim's Fold where a faint path leads to the summit of Clough Head adorned with small shelter and Trig Point. With the climbing now over it is a very pleasurable amble down to White Pike from where the path down to the Old Coach Road sweeps to the left to head steeply downhill. It is said that the Old Coach Road predates the Romans and in the past has been used for moving stock, mining materials and people for hundreds of years.
Once on the Old Coach Road it is now a simple case of turning left and following the good path all the way back to the road near the turning for Wanthwaite Bridge. We really enjoyed this outing today - having been up on Clough Head many times this is certainly the most exciting way of reaching the summit.
The parking area near Wanthwaite Bridge
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Love these old signs - nice to see they have been looked after.
Looking back to the parking area at Wanthwaite Bridge
Blencathra from near Lowthwaite Farm - the road to Wanthwaite Bridge is where the Royal Mail van is.
There is additional verge parking near Lowthwaite Farm
High Rigg
Leaving the road the route joins a path to Bramcrag Quarry.......
.........and then almost immediately doubles back on itself
Rusting artefacts of the quarry were littered all over the place
Leaving the track a gate gives access to the open fell side
Looking to Fisher's Wife's Rake.
Tempting as it was, it was a lot easier to continue along the side of the wall rather than take a short cut and scramble over the spoil heap scree.
Tempting as it was, it was a lot easier to continue along the side of the wall rather than take a short cut and scramble over the spoil heap scree.
The wall is hand railed to roughly the highest point where a path can be seen sloping up to the right.
Superb views open up to Lonscale Fell & Blencathra
High Rigg once more
Whilst my back was turned Fudge decided to have a game of 'balance the massive rocks' - what a clever pooch he is.
Approaching the highest point of the wall - we turned right here on a faint path towards the single Rowan tree
The sun hits the lens as we look up to Fisher's Wife's Rake
Now on the faint path - the Rowan sits up to the left just out of shot
The single Rowan tree which marks the path of sorts that heads up Fisher's Wife's Rake.
There are two options from here - the first is to take the path to the left of the Rowan tree or if you fancy a more interesting & steep scramble then continue to the right. The latter ascent meets the left hand path a bit further up towards the top of the Rake.
There are two options from here - the first is to take the path to the left of the Rowan tree or if you fancy a more interesting & steep scramble then continue to the right. The latter ascent meets the left hand path a bit further up towards the top of the Rake.
Looking back to the Rowan tree with Blencathra to the rear
Angie on the path as we head up Fisher's Wife's Rake
Bram Crag ahead as we climb steeply up the Rake
The terrain became easier as we neared the top of the Rake
Wanthwaite Crags
Not far now - it was still steep but less so thankfully
A fantastic view over to the North Western Fells, Skiddaw & Blencathra
Looking back down the ascent of the Rake with the steep face of Wanthwaite Crag to the right - Blencathra looks so inviting from here.
A bit further up the Rake - the path up can clearly be seen here
All that steep climbing was worth it - up on top of the Rake near Bram Crag and what a view
Another view of the impressive sight of Wanthwaite Crags
We've had worse lunch stops!
From the top of the Rake there is still a short rise to reach Sandbed Gill
Looking towards Bleaberry Fell from up near Bram Crags
Sandbed Gill & Thirlmere
Sandbed Gill from a little bit further up the fell
Jim's Fold
From Jim's Fold a rough path leads to the summit of Clough Head
Almost there as Fudge trundles up to the top
The summit of Clough Head looking to Blencathra
Heading for White Pike
The summit of White Pike
When leaving White Pike this old hut is a good line of sight marker for The Old Coach Road below. Should the visibility be poor then the Grid Ref is NY34135 23457. It would be a good idea to 'aim off' and then turn left once the Old Coach Road is reached.
Heading along the Old Coach Road with Blencathra for company.