Walk Summary
Walk along the peaceful and tranquil Scammonden Reservoir. Stand in awe below the impressive Booth Wood Reservoir dam. Stroll past the infamous Stott Hall Farm in the middle of the M62. Cross high moors with views over to Slathwaite and Marsden.
Date: 10/11/2021
Length: 9.85 miles
Height Gain: 454 m
Terrain: Steep paths, boggy paths, grass path, fields, stony track, lightly used roads
Navagation: Tricky. Signage poor. The potentially tricky points are noted on the map
Start: Scammonden Lower Car Park
Route: Scammonden Lower Car Park, Sailing Club, M62 Tunnel, Royd Height, Cock Pit Lane, Stott Hall Farm, Deanhead Reservoir, Cupwith Reservoir, Coal Gate Road
Map: OL21 South Pennines
Weather: Cloudy and misty
Walkers: Nun
Gallery
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Scammonden Sculpture
Captain's Log
Scammonden
I had intended parking at the Scammonden Water Car Park but I found that it doesn't open until 09:00 and so I continued down the Sledge Gate road to the Scammonden Lower Car Park.
It was a cloudy and murky day when I set off. Mist hugged the tops of the hills at the head of the valley. The trails around Scammonden are well made and offered good views of the reservoir. There were also a few fun sculptures to keep me entertained. The Yorkshire Water website describes Scammonden Reservoir as 'A haven for peace and tranquillity'. I'm not sure I'd go as far as that. Gradually the noise of the M62 got louder and louder. There is an impressive pavement compass near the M62 and a stone plaque states that the Queen opened the reservoir in 1971. I'm not sure what the Queen would make of the graffiti that greets you on the tunnel walls, as you make your way under the M62.
Once on the north side of the M62 I walked westwards.. The M62 traffic roared past me just a few yards to my left.
Scammonden Reservoir
Booth Wood Reservoir
I reached the top of the hill near Moselden Pasture and there was a great view along the length of the M62. I could see where the carriage ways separated around the patch of land that holds Stott Hall Farm. Off to the right I could see water pouring over the dam wall of Booth Wood Reservoir. A meandering route along Royd Height, Cock Pit Lane and Smithy Lane brought me to the base of Booth Wood Dam. A very impressive sight.
A woodland path guided me to a road that leads to Stott Hall Farm. A myth prevails that they built the M62 around Stott Hall Farm because the farmer would not sell the land. The truth is that there is a geological fault under the farm and it was cheaper to divert the carriage ways around it, rather than blast the rock away. The farmer appeared to make good use of the tunnels under the M62 by storing some of his equipment there.
Booth Wood Dam
View Towards Stott Hall Farm And Booth Wood Reservoir
Scammonden Reservoir
Deanhead Reservoir
The path ascended into a mist. I crossed the B6114 and headed off into yet more mist. As I headed down to Deanhead Reservoir I could see the Scammonden Reservoir further down the valley. Given the conditions, I had half a mind to make my way back to the car from here.
At Deanhead Dam I met two chaps eating their sandwiches. 'I hope this mist clears this afternoon', I said to them. 'I bet it's not like this in the Bahamas', the older one replied. That wasn't quite the response I was expecting and so I left them to it. Beyond Deanhead, I started climbing again and back into the mist.
It was a shame about the weather. Looking at the map, I'm pretty sure there would have been some cracking views if the mist had lifted.
Misty Meal
Cupwith Reservoir appeared out of the mist and then it disappeared again. Not far beyond it I found a substantial stone bench that I commandeered to have my lunch. After a while I heard some voices approaching out of the mist and 'Bahamas Man' and his pal passed me with a wave.
I headed off eastwards into more mist. As I reached the Coal Gate road two women held back half a dozen dogs each. As the dogs strained to leap in my direction, I hoped the women had enough plastic poop bags for all of them. Some field hopping got me back to the A640 and then a very boggy track down to the Sledge Gate road, and on to the car park.
The signage wasn't very good on this walk. I've noted the potentially difficult bits on the map. Due to the poor visibility I can't really comment on the all round views for the walk. The bits I did get to see though indicated that it would be a good walk in better weather.
Cupwith Reservoir Bench