24th June 2012

Sunday, 24th June 2012

Walk:	Black Hill, High Crag, Eastby Gate, Embsay Crag, Crookrise Crag Top, Rylstone Cross, Cracoe Obelisk, Burnsall & Thorpe Fell, Barden Moor, Lower Barden Reservoir
Start Point:	Black Hill	Grid Ref:	SE 037 553
Distance:	13.5 miles	Ascent:	2,740 feet
Weather:	Changeable!	Time:	7 hours
Comments:	The group walk was cancelled due to the great North Swim which would have made travelling very difficult. Instead, Ian, Karen and I headed to Embsay to try out a route taking in Rylstone Cross and Cracoe Obelisk. Walking in a clockwise direction we made our way first to Embsay Crag where we stopped for elevenses. After crossing to Crookwise Wood we climbed to Crookwise Crag top where we climbed over the wall (via the stile) to visit the trig point. Continuing in a northerly direction we crossed Waterfall Gill to reach Rylstone Cross, the ideal spot for lunch. Information about the cross can be found below. Walking beside the wall we made our way on to Cracoe Obelisk, a war memorial. The route followed the wall to Bartle Crag then continued on shooters tracks to Upper and Lower Barden Reservoirs. A short stretch then took us back to the car. Rylstone Cross was originally a large stone in the form of a man and was known as 'The Stone Man'. A wooden cross was erected on the top of the stone pillar to commemorate 'The Peace of Paris', the date on the back is 1885 and the initials DD and TB which are carved on it signify the Duke of Devonshire and T. Broughton, who was land agent to the Duke. The wooden structure has been renewed several times, the last occasion being after the severe winter of 1947. The present cross was rebuilt in 1997.