Saturday, 27th October 2012

 

Walk: Upper Winskill, Catrigg Force, Stainforth, Stainforth Force, Hargreaves Barn, Smearsett Scar, Pot Scar, Feizor, Giggleswick Scar, Stackhouse
Start Point: Langcliffe car park Grid Ref: SD 823 651
Distance: 10.5 miles Ascent: 2,000 feet
Weather: Intermittent sun with a very cold wind Time: 3 hours
Comments: A sunny but cold day had been forecast so I decided on another visit to Smearsett Scar. As expected, with a few days of dry weather Catrigg Force had less water in it than on previous visits. After following the track to Stainforth we found that the stepping stones had a rather large gap to navigate so opted for the bridge instead. It was then on to Stainforth Force where salmon may be seen jumping up the waterfall - but not today. Although there was a very cold wind on exposed sections, the intermittent sun made for very pleasant walking as we made our way across Smearsett Scar and for the return by Giggleswick Scar.

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

Ribble Valley from Dicks ground Plantation

 

The North Craven Fault, a major tear in the earth's crust, runs through Stainforth

 

and this has led to the development of two spectacular waterfalls.

 

At Catrigg Force the stream plunges 6 metres over a single drop into a narrow rocky gorge.

 

Sheila checks out the stepping stones

 

St Peter's Church, Stainforth, a Grade II listed building

 

At Stainforth Force, the second of the two waterfalls mentioned above . . . 

 

the Ribble tumbles over a series of cascades where salmon can be seen leaping
on their final journey up river to their spawning grounds . . .

 

but none were seen today

 

Just above Stainforth Force a former monastic road crosses the Ribble on a bridge
that was built in 1675 by Samuel Watson, owner of Knight Stainforth Hall.

 

To preserve the bridge for the future, it was given to the National Trust in 1931.

 

Sheila takes a break on Smearsett Scar . . .

 

from where we can see Pen-y-Ghent (left) and Fountains Fell (right)

 

A precarious spot . . .

 

for a lunch time snack . . .

 

but this sheep seems quite unconcerned

 

Pen-y-Ghent looks quite different from this angle

 

Looking back to Smearsett Scar . . .

 

with a few people at the summit

 

Pot Scar

 

Feizor water feature

 

Autumn colour as we approach Stackhouse . . .

 

and again

 

Then the sun highlights this tree

 

A novel weather forecasting station

 

The village green in Langcliffe

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