Black Crag and Tarn Hows

Heavy rain during 7:30 a.m. breakfast and a poor forecast (afternoon heavy rain and thunder) was not a promising start to the day. However hikers are hopeless optimists and off we trotted. The skies had cleared by our 9:15 a.m. start for option 2. I declined option 3 based on the high likelihood of a long hike up a steep mountain (the famous Old Man of Coniston) with no view as a reward.

Above is the view of Coniston Water as we climbed above our house. And a Herdwick sheep.

This is Yew Tree Farm, where a film about Beatrix Potter starring Renee Zellweger was filmed. Look closely and you can see streams of rain in front of the stone wall – a brief downpour during which we took shelter under an oak.

One of my companions said "If it didn't rain so much, it would just be the District." I thought that was very funny. The weather was good from 9 am until 2pm today so I can't complain. The last two hours we had a good bit of precipitation.  

Walk description:  Distance: 8.5 miles (13.5km) Ascent: 1,950 feet (600m)

"In summary: We start with elevated views along Conistonwater, then descend to Yew Tree Farm. Ascending again we cross Uskdale Gap on the craggy Holme Fell, then descend again to view Hodge Close Quarry. We reach the widely panoramic summit of Black Crag. Finally a gentle descent takes us past picturesque Tarn Hows on our return to the house."

Below is Uskdale Gap. So far so good weatherwise.

This is a picturesque reservoir for the slate quarry below.

The quarry, with crazy people at the bottom of the waterfall. I think they had rapelled down. I rapelled down a waterfall in Costa Rica so I can't throw stones.

The skies got progressively lower and the rain started in by 2pm.

I think hikers have to be optimists because there is always something going against you and, if you can't keep a good outlook, you won't get very far. Lots of belted Galloways. I drove through the Galloway region of Scotland to get here.

By the time we reached the 'widely panoramic summit of Black Crag' there wasn't much panorama going on. But I don't regret going on the hike for a minute. We descended through a lovely forest, past some lakes, and I got home, had a hot shower and was in bed in no time. Back up for the walks talk at 7 and dinner at 7:30.

15 July