Graystones, Broom Fell, Lord's Seat & Barf - Tuesday 15 August 2017
Route
Darling How - Spout Force - Graystones (Birkett Summit) - Graystones (Wainwright Summit) - Widow Hause - Broom Fell - Lord's Seat - Barf - Ullister Hill - Aiken Plantation - Darling How
Parking
Spout Force Car Park at Darling How (Free) - Grid Ref NY181255. Nearest postcode is CA13 9UE.
Mileage
9 miles
Terrain
Mixture of forest track and good mountain paths. The ascent of Graystones is very steep and the transit between Lord's Seat & Barf can be extremely boggy after rain.
Weather
A mixed bag of overcast conditions with some sunny spells.
Time Taken
4hrs 15mins
Total Ascent
2896ft (883m)
Wainwrights
4
Map
OL4 - The English Lakes (North Western Area)
Walkers
Dave & Fudge
Darling How - Spout Force - Graystones (Birkett Summit) - Graystones (Wainwright Summit) - Widow Hause - Broom Fell - Lord's Seat - Barf - Ullister Hill - Aiken Plantation - Darling How
Parking
Spout Force Car Park at Darling How (Free) - Grid Ref NY181255. Nearest postcode is CA13 9UE.
Mileage
9 miles
Terrain
Mixture of forest track and good mountain paths. The ascent of Graystones is very steep and the transit between Lord's Seat & Barf can be extremely boggy after rain.
Weather
A mixed bag of overcast conditions with some sunny spells.
Time Taken
4hrs 15mins
Total Ascent
2896ft (883m)
Wainwrights
4
Map
OL4 - The English Lakes (North Western Area)
Walkers
Dave & Fudge
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GPX File
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Route Map
Just me and the little fella out today as Angie was away on the South Coast visiting her Mum.
Fudge waits ever so patiently as I fanny about taking a picture of the Spout Force Car Park at Darling How.
Fudge waits ever so patiently as I fanny about taking a picture of the Spout Force Car Park at Darling How.
Kirk Fell to the left and Graystones centre as we make our way towards Blaze Beck.
The rocky area to the left is a disused quarry. Fudge has his mojo back after his enforced wait to get started.
The rocky area to the left is a disused quarry. Fudge has his mojo back after his enforced wait to get started.
Grisedale Pike, Hopegill Head & Ladyside Pike
Dropping down to the bridge over Blaze Beck
Crossing Blaze Beck.
The path to Graystones is to the left of shot however I followed the path to the right as I was off to visit Spout Force first.
The path to Graystones is to the left of shot however I followed the path to the right as I was off to visit Spout Force first.
Spout Force through the undergrowth.
It is best visited in the winter when the vegetation is dormant.
It is best visited in the winter when the vegetation is dormant.
Now back at Blaze Beck we made our way up to Graystones via a section of quarry spoil.
Scawgill Bridge from the Graystones path
The ascent of Graystones. There is no doubt that it is extremely steep but I would much rather be going up here than coming down.
Wainwright said that this ascent ".....is short, direct and fool-proof in any conditions of weather, but it lacks excitement and is hardly worth the effort" (Graystones 7).
Wainwright said that this ascent ".....is short, direct and fool-proof in any conditions of weather, but it lacks excitement and is hardly worth the effort" (Graystones 7).
The Vale of Lorton and the Western Fells
Looking back down our ascent of Graystones.
As is usual on this ascent I was blowing for tugs big time therefore lots of rest stops in order to look around.
As is usual on this ascent I was blowing for tugs big time therefore lots of rest stops in order to look around.
Skiddaw over Lord's Seat left shoulder with Whinlatter right
Almost there now as the gradient eases
Another look down our ascent of Graystones.
The road below is the Whinlatter Pass with Scawgill Bridge to the right.
The road below is the Whinlatter Pass with Scawgill Bridge to the right.
There are two summits on Graystones - this is the highest point at 456m and is known as the Birkett Summit.
Our route over to Broom Fell and Lord's Seat is in full view with Skiddaw distant.
Our route over to Broom Fell and Lord's Seat is in full view with Skiddaw distant.
The Wainwright Summit of Graystones - at 452m it is a whopping 4m lower than the highest point which is in the centre of shot.
Looking to Widow Hause.
I remember when that felled area was a mass of trees - it was not that long ago.
I remember when that felled area was a mass of trees - it was not that long ago.
Crossing the stile at Widow Hause - Fudge is waiting for the command to go over, either that or a lift up.
Looking over Wythop Moss to Ling Fell
Looking back to Widow Hause & Graystones
Approaching Broom Fell where the large cairn is just about visible on the summit
The large cairn and excellent wind shelter on the summit of Broom Fell.
I sat in the shelter and had a break here for a while although Fudge seems oblivious to the fact that I intend to stay put for a bit.
I sat in the shelter and had a break here for a while although Fudge seems oblivious to the fact that I intend to stay put for a bit.
Looking to the North Western Fells from the summit of Broom Fell
The Uldale Fells (Back O'Skidda) to the left with Skiddaw distant.
Bassenthwaite Lake is visible centre left and in the foreground are Ullock Pike, Long Side, Carl Side & Dodd.
Bassenthwaite Lake is visible centre left and in the foreground are Ullock Pike, Long Side, Carl Side & Dodd.
Heading for Lord's Seat
Broom Fell from Lord's Seat
The summit of Lord's Seat with the next summit of Barf peeping out
Bassenthwaite Lake with Binsey distant
The transit to Barf.
The boggiest section is between here and just below the summit.
The boggiest section is between here and just below the summit.
Approaching Barf. It gets a bit squelchy here but is not too bad in all honesty
The summit of Barf looking to the Skiddaw range with Clough Head to the right
The classic shot from Barf's summit looking down Bassenthwaite Lake to Binsey
The Skiddaw Massif over Bassenthwaite Lake
Derwent Water, Keswick, The Dodds & the Helvellyn Range form Barf's summit
A panorama from Barf
A last look at Barf before we descend back into the forest and our walk back to Spout Force Car Park
Nearly there - it is on my doorstep and I have done it many times but I really never do tire of today's walk.