Stonethwaite

Tuesday, 3rd May 2011

 

Walk:

Eagle Crag, Sergeant’s Crag, Brown Crag, Langstrath Valley

The Bowder Stone
Start Point: Lay-by on Stonethwaite road Grid Ref: NY 260 138
Distance: 7.5 miles + 1.5 miles Ascent: 2,360 feet + 250 feet
Time: 5.5 hours + 1 hour
Weather:

Mainly sunny with a cold wind in exposed sections

Comments:


A pleasant walk down Stonethwaite Valley was followed by a strenuous climb up across the fields on the initial ascent. The path then followed the contours of the face of Eagle Crag, to gain the top with only short scrambling sections. This was a much easier ascent than I had been anticipating. A short descent took us to the next ascent onto Sergeant’s Crag, and time for more photos. From here the route took us across a pleasant section with Greenup Edge and High Raise visible on the left. After passing behind Brown Crag we made our way down to Langstrath Valley and across the bridge to the opposite side of the beck. Admiring the crystal clear water, we walked along a grassy track, avoiding the stony track. With the sun shining and little wind this was a very pleasant section of the walk. Reaching Stonethwaite Valley we continued by the beck and through the campsite before reaching the car.

The Flock-Inn in Rosthwaite beckoned, to sample the cakes and coffee. Reminiscing about our last visit here, on an extremely wet day, we enjoyed a seat in the sun as we sampled the cakes, etc.

Our next stop was to visit the Bowder Stone. After an initial false start on a disappearing path, we found the huge rock with the ladder to reach the top. Our return walk took us alongside Stonethwaite Beck and back to the car.

 

Scroll down to see more photos

Eagle Crag & Sergeant's Crag

A young lamb enjoys the sun near the car

 

Eagle Crag comes into view just before crossing Stonethwaite Bridge . . .

 

and beckons us . . .

 

as we walk along the Cumbria Way, also part of the Coast to Coast route

 

The initial climb heads steeply across fields with views over the Stonethwaite Valley to High Spy

 

Getting into the scrambly bit now, we can see Dale Head on the left and Great Crag on the right

 

Sheila and Marie in front of Sergeant's Crag with the Langstrath Valley below on the right

 

The sun creates a study in light and shade on the flanks of Eagle Crag and across to Sergeant's Crag . . .

 

and Marie provides perspective for this shot

 

Posing on Eagle Crag with High Spy and Dale Head in the distance . . .

 

and taking it easy as we look towards Glaramara with Great Gable peeping over the horizon

 

Leaving Eagle Crag a sheltered spot for elevenses gives us a great view down the Stonethwaite Valley into Borrowdale

 

Resting my feet on Sergeant's Crag . . .

 

from where Eagle Crag looks lower than the 180 feet difference between the two

 

Time for lunch as we descend to the Langstrath Valley . . .

 

which leads up to Angle Tarn

 

The waters of Langstrath Beck are crystal clear . . .

 

and after crossing the bridge . . .

 

the view down the valley encourages us on

 

Possibly Herdwick?

 

Making our way down the valley . . .

 

with Eagle Crag on our right . . .

 

as the sun catches the summit

 

Gallen Force waterfall as Langstrath Beck joins Stonethwaite Beck . . .

 

and a last look at Eagle Crag

 

The Bowder Stone

Heading up the Borrowdale Valley (by car) we stop for a short walk to the Bowder Stone . . .

 

where a ladder gives access . . .

 

to a very slippery top

 

A pleasant walk through woodland . . .

 

as we return beside the River Derwent

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