~Buckden Pike~
17th April 2010
I was invited on a Yorkshire Dales walk organised by David Dimmock. Along with a good number of members of the Online Fellwalking Club we met at Buckden and headed up Buckden Beck at the start of a excellent day's walking....
Buckden Bridge
Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk
Starbotton Bridge
I was determined to avoid the parking charges at Buckden and so I parked at Starbotton and walked the 2.25 miles to Buckden along the Dales Way, this also enabled me to see a little more of Wharfedale.
Spring Flowers
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River Wharfe |
Bursting into Life |
Buckden Bridge
I arrived at Buckden at 10:00, about an hour after leaving Starbotton. Other walkers were arriving at the car park and we had a brew at Buckden Village Stores' tea room. Thirteen of us assembled; four took a different low level walk, nine of us headed for Buckden Pike.
Buckden Beck
Here They Come
Steve Proctor in Action
A Waterfall
There are lots of waterfalls in Buckden Beck, nearly all feature water descending over rocks into pools, often with a splash at the bottom.
The Hileys
Roger and Ann study their bank statement, Steve and Dave offer a little advice. Here we are at the mining area, ready for the final push for the summit of Buckden Pike.
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Walkers on Buckden |
Buckden Trig Point |
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Neil in Action |
Summit Furniture |
We had lunch on a very windy Buckden Pike summit. Shelter was found just behind the wall (out of shot)
Cray
Our descent took us to the little village of Cray and then we would head up the other side to the top left of this photo, onto a terrace above the tree line of Todd's Wood. This terrace walk to Scar House is a joy; level well-drained pasture with outstanding views down Wharfedale.
Cray Bridge
Wharfedale
Once we arrived at Scar House, two of our party departed for Hubberholme and a shorter return to Buckden, leaving seven of the party to go and take a look at Yockenthwaite.
Yockenthwaite
Yockenthwaite Bridge
The author prefers bridges to waterfalls.
Wharfedale View
A Barn
Hubberholme
The Church of St.Michael
The Details
Wharfedale View
Spring Lambs
The Buck Inn, Buckden
Walkers: David & Josie Dimmock, The Hileys, Jo Hall, Neil Haslewood, Steve Proctor, Lorraine Barks, and Me.
Time taken: Over two parts: 11.5 miles over 8hrs 45 mins. The main event: 9.25 miles taking 6hrs 15 mins. Some "Dwell" time between the two parts!
Route: Starbotton to Buckden. Buckden, Buckden Beck to Buckden Pike, Cray, above Todd's Wood, Scar House, Yockenthwaite, Hubberholme and back to Buckden.
Weather and conditions: Sunny, rather breezy on top.
Greetings Count: Not too bad, Dave's route avoided the majority of the other walkers in the area.
Richard's Refreshment Review: The Buck Inn, above. Lots of space inside and tables outside. Choice of beers, including "Real Ales", the food was good and the prices about right.
Bird (!?)
All photos copyright Richard Ratcliffe 2010 © Leave a comment below if you like, it's quick, free and painless.