Sunday,13th June 2010

 

Walk: Park Brow, Spying How, Glencoyne Head, Sticks Pass, Stybarrow Dodd, Watson's Dodd, Great Dodd, Matterdale Common, Dowthwaitehead, Dockray, Aira Force
Start Point: A5091, Park Brow Grid Ref: NY 397 205
Distance: 13 miles Ascent: 2,890 feet
Weather: Dry at the beginning and end but rather damp in between
Accompanied by:

5 members of the group, led by John L

Comments: With a poor forecast we weren't very hopeful for a good day but the rain was not as heavy as expected. There were some reasonable views to be had as we walked above Glencoyne Park and into Glencoyne Valley. The contouring path around Glencoyne Head looked a fair distance but it wasn't long before we were heading up by Sticks Gill to Sticks Pass. By the time we got to the Pass we had to don waterproofs and the views were very limited. John did a good job of searching out Stybarrow Dodd and Watsons Dodd. When we reached Great Dodd the weather had worsened and it was decided to return via Matterdale Common instead of continuing on to Clough Head. It wasn't long before we had dropped out of the mist and, being sheltered from the wind, the conditions were much improved. Leaving the Old Coach Road we detoured across to Dowthwaitehead before heading into Dockray. From here we took the path into Aira Force and after checking out the waterfalls we made our way back to the cars.

 

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

The bracken has really shot up in the last couple of weeks

 

There are some good views of Ullswater . . .

 

but the mist detracts form the photos . . .

 

especially when looking down the Glencoyne Valley

 

A gradual path takes us alongside Sticks Gill . . .

 

but waterproofs are needed by the time we reach Sticks Pass

 

Stybarrow Dodd looms out of the mist . . .

 

and we eventually find Watsons Dodd - but at this point the camera is tucked away in the backpack

 

Camera out again as we spot this tree in Lucy's Wood, near Dowthwaitehead . . .

 

and we have been informed that it is a Maritime Pine, an introduced species from the Mediterranean

 

The group relaxes in Aira Force . . .

 

where they can check out . . .

 

the waterfalls

 

Not many people around today - must have been put off by the weather!!

 

But the waterfalls are always worth a photo

Return to 2010 Diary                                                                     Return to top