Careful Where You Step

I'd not really researched today's route. I had a vague idea of climbing Whinlatter from its north side, but I could see from the OS map that there are no public footpaths and a lot of it was planted with trees too. I decided we'd walk along the forestry tracks on Whinlatter's north side and if an obvious track up the hill became apparent, then we'd take it. The forestry road wasn't that pleasant near the carpark since its verges were covered in dog shite. It was a case of being very careful where you stepped. As we progressed along the forestry road, I became less and less hopeful that we'd find a path up to the summit from this side. The flank was pretty well defended by fences and trees. The road then started moving away from the Wainwright and towards Ullister Hill. At the first opportunity I took a forestry road southwards to set us back in the general direction. A little later I saw an entry point for the mountain bike 'Red Route'. I remembered walking down the 'Red Route' last May. I started recognising familiar territory and realised we were heading down towards the Whinlatter Visitor Centre. Sure enough, we eventually reached the picnic and viewing area that I named Gruffalo Junction on my last visit. We made use of one of the picnic tables to have our morning break.

Whinlatter

Whinlatter's summit was an out-and-back walk from Gruffalo Junction. Some mountain bikers asked if we could take a picture of them with Grisedale Pike in the background. I delegated this responsibility to Captain Mo, and so their photo probably turned out blurred. We soon escaped the trees and climbed on to the broad ridge leading up to Whinlatter. Looking down into the valley to the north, I could see the forestry road on which we'd walked earlier on. It was a shame we'd had to do a large circuit for such a short distance. There was only a small cairn at Whinlatter Top, but it was good enough for our summit photo. I suggested to Captain Mo and the Cabin Boy, that maybe we should go further along the ridge to Brown How. I told them that there was a good view westwards from that point. There was some shuffling of feet, and non-committal mumbling from them both, which I took to mean that they were eager to visit Brown How. It is only a ten or fifteen minute walk there from Whinlatter Top. I noticed that the track continued down the west side of the hill. I was almost tempted to take the path and find out if it gave easy access through the forestry plantations, but it would have shortened our walk significantly and so we started retracing our steps back to Gruffalo Junction.

Hobcarton End

During our return walk I looked across the valley southwards and could see some people on Hobcarton End. I intended walking over that tomorrow. On the map a track descends from Hobcarton End and then terminates in the forestry plantation below it. I didn't know how impenetrable the plantation would be around there and whether the route was feasible. I guess I would find out tomorrow.

We had lunch at one of the picnic tables at Gruffalo Junction. The place was busy with barking dogs, screaming kids, and noisy parents. I was pleased when we set off again and escaped the melee. The Whinlatter Visitor Centre carpark was full, a probable consequence of it being school half-term. We picked up a bridleway on the other side of the B5292 and this led us to the forestry road that runs westwards along the valley. I was hoping to see some sort of signage for a trail up to Hobcarton End, but there was nothing obvious. At least the trees didn't look too thick and so reckoned I could make my way through them tomorrow, even if there wasn't a path. The forestry road finally reached the B5292 again. 

Return To Dog Shite Street

I had intended walking back to Spout Force carpark along the B5292. Captain Mo pointed out a track leading off into the plantation on the other side of the road. I had seen this track on the OS map, but could see that it seemed to end in some vague 'white' areas in the forestry plantation, and this had put me off. Now we were on the B5292, this alternative forestry track seemed a better prospect and so we set off along it.  In reality it was actually a good track and didn't terminate as suggested by the map. It brought us around to a forestry road on the north side of Brown How. The track that I'd seen coming down from the summit of Brown How must come down here at some point, and sure enough I found what looked like a possible track heading off uphill. Someday, I'll give the track a try. The forestry road descended gradually and soon we were back on to the forestry road leading back to the carpark. As we approached the carpark a couple were just preparing to set off with their two border collies. I hoped they had poo bags.

We saw a lot of trees on today's walk. The forestry roads were also pretty hard on the joints. It was all worth it though, to get those exceptional views over to Grisedale Pike, Hopegill Head and Ladyside Pike.