Date: Friday 27th December 2024
Company: Myself and Ann-Marie
Distance: 13km, Ascent: 273m
Time: 3Hrs 40Mins
The forecast for today was not fantastic - a choice of fog or mist across the Lake District. We travelled from our base in the Western Lake District to the Far Eastern Lake District to ascend a couple of Wainwrights above Ullswater, Arthur's Pike and Bonscale Pike.
We opted to start from a road a short distance from Helton providing for a longer but less-steep ascent of these fells.
Route:
There is a waymarker sign at the start of the track directing towards Askham Fell Loop and Pooley Bridge.
Waymarker post at start of track:
The track is really wide and excellent underfoot.
Wide grassy track:
After walking circa 3km along the wide grassy track, we took another excellent quality track leading towards Arthur's Pike.
Track leading towards Arthur's Pike:
We next passed the Cockpit Stone Circle. This stone circle is 27 metres in diameter with 27 standing and recumbent stones which was likely constructed between the Late Neolithic to Middle Bronze Age (2400-1000BC).
Circle of stones:
Almost the entire walk was undertaken in fog with the exception of a five to ten minute spell during our ascent towards White Knott. It was great to get some fleeting views.
A fleeting view towards White Knott:
Ullswater:
Cairn en-route to Arthur's Pike:
We soon reached the summit of Arthur's Pike from which we were treated to a fogbow and a Brocken Spectre. Not the best fogbow or Brocken spectre I've seen but always good to see one.
At the summit of Arthur's Pike:
Ann-Marie with partial fogbow:
Brocken Spectre within Fogbow (photo by Ann-Marie):
Brocken Spectre:
From Arthur's Pike we followed a narrow path leading towards Bonscale Fell. There is also a wider but longer track between the two fells.
On ascending Bonscale Pike, I took a short diversion to photograph two cairns.
Cairns on Bonscale Pike:
A short distance beyond the above cairns we reached the small summit cairn.
At the summit of Bonscale Pike:
We returned to Arthur's Pike via the wider track passing a sheepfold en-route.
Sheepfold:
Back at the summit of Arthur's Pike:
We returned to the car via approximately the same route.
Walk out along the wide grassy track:
Another two Wainwrights in the bag, 181/214.