~Grange Fell~
10th August 2022
Molly on top of Brund Fell
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Another scorcher! Molly n' me circumnavigated Brotherswater before breakfast with a delicate mist rising off the lake as the sun rises. My neighbour at the campsite was contemplating an ascent of Red Screes from the campsite with her dog; all fellwalking is going to be tough today. I have chosen to drive to Keswick, parked for £5 at the rugby club, taken breakfast at a cafe (see later) and then caught the No.78 bus to Grange for £3.40 (single). My motivation for not parking in Borrowdale was the not-knowing of available spaces and the flexibility the bus route offers in terms of walk finishing point - just now not determined.
Woodland Viewpoint
From Grange, we crossed the bridge and turned right to find the footpath into the marvellously named Cummacatta Wood. Soon walkers in summer are faced with a significant barrier of triffid-like head high bracken. Fortunately, trodden ways take you through this greenery and into the woodland of Grange Fell. A good path takes you up to Long Moss. Wainwright is very enthusiastic about this ascent of Grange Fell and rightly so, I had issues wth the heat and a slight navigational error early on, but on the whole it is a fantastic walk up through the rich deciduous woodland.
Long Moss
The heather is in full bloom and we are joined by four younger hikers who make everything look easy. The path turns uphill at the yew tree where you might be able to see those other walkers. Grange Fell has three notable summits and just now we are aiming for King's How.
Derwentwater
King's How Summit
Somehow we have overtaken the youngsters and reached this point ahead of them. What a view! The path to Brund Fell, which is the "Wainwright" summit of Grange Fell is easy to make out and that's where we are heading next.
To Brund Fell
Less easy to see in the photo, but somewhere near the centre of this image is an "awkward stile". That'll be fun. In the event, it was one of those tall anti-dog ladder stiles, the sort which have often been replaced by more modern swing gates.
The Awkward Stile
Our procedure is for Molly to be helped on to the top step and then I climb over her and gather her up in a most ungainly fashion and climb backwards down the other side.
The Wise Man of Grange Fell
This knowledgable sage sporting his Wainwright Society badge with pride was keen to point us in the right direction. He was also able to tell me that "they" had discovered Ether Knott on the east ridge of Grange Fell is higher than Brund Fell and is therefore the summit of Grange Fell. Such fine detail has never bothered me too much; I've got Wainwright's Book Three in my rucksac and the summit is Brund Fell.
Molly on top of Grange Fell (Brund Fell) 1,363 ft asl
Another new one for Molly, taking her Wainwright total to 199, not that she's keeping much in the way of detailed records. Now to Watendlath for refreshments and a swim.
Watendlath
Watendlath Tarn
Molly cools off as I take a break and eat my sandwich, boots off.
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Plunge Pool |
Caffell Tearoom |
Before calling in at the tearoom, I paid a visit to the little plunge pool on the north side of Watendlath Tarn. It doesn't take a lot of finding and to my surprise there was nobody else there. I had a dip and Molly had a sleep. The tearoom is a great place, when open.
To High Lodore
I made my mind up to take the route down Watendlath Beck, into the woods and down to High Lodore and Borrowdale Hotel. On a cooler day, we might have gone up the "other side" from the tarn and bagged High Tove and High Seat. But not today!
Watendlath Beck
View from Ladder Brow
If you have the map handy, we walked into Mossmire Coppice and down past Ladder Brow to High Lodore and hence Borrowdale Hotel on the B5289.
Great North Air Ambulance
There had been a little drama, with an ambulance and the air ambulance. I saw a patient in the ambulance and he seemed generally OK, I cannot know what happened but there were no crashed vehicles or mountain resuce attendees. The air ambulance powered up and departed without the injured chap.
Open Top Bus
Soon enough a bus came along and took us back to Keswick.
Walkers: Me n' Molly
Time taken: 4hr 35mins over distance of about 5 miles; 1300ft of ascent.
Route: Bus from Keswick to Grange. Footpath into Cummacatta Wood and the bracken forest and then the ascent of King's How via a bit of Long Moss. Across the undulations to Brund Fell and then down to Watendlath. Watendlath Beck, Mossmire Coppice, by Ladder Brow to Borrowdale Hotel on the B5289.
Weather and Conditions: Sunny and hot.
Refreshments: The Coffee Lounge in Keswick is excellent and dog friendly. I had a breakfast butty and Molly was offered a Dentachew.
The Caffell House Tearoom at Watendlath is brilliant. Serving all manner of simple drinks and snacks, what more do you need when in this beautiful location? Most tables are now sheltered under canopies.
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2022 ©
Take me back to the start ....