Walk : Haystacks (1,900ft) from Gatesgarth
Date : 28th September 2011
Weather : Hot and sunny
Distance : 5 miles round trip
Difficulty : Easy, the path to Scarth
Gap is good the mild scramble to the summit is easy
Which
part of Lakeland is this walk situated
Terrain
Overview
Overview
“Haystacks, stands unabashed and
unashamed in the midst of a circle of much loftier fells like a shaggy
terrier in the company of
foxhounds” was how Wainwright described this dramatic little fell. It’s a fine
walk
and a very interesting top of which
to explore. It has commanding views all around and is very accessible from
Gatesgarth Farm at
the bottom of the Honister Pass
The walk starts from the car park
at Gatesgarth Farm and an open track crosses a field
to where the climb
starts. Red Pike, High Stile and
High Crag dominate the view
Across the track and the start of
the climb
The path then swings left and
climbs steeply
Out of the wooded area now and the
towers of Haystacks come into view
Higher still now and aiming towards
Low and High Wax Knott on the way to Scarth Gap
Looking back towards Gatesgarth and the southern end of Buttermere
Looking across to Fleetwith Pike
Onward towards Scarth
Gap
Scarth Gap and
marvellous views of Kirk Fell and Pillar. This point now marks the start of a
bit of scrambling
up the north tower of Haystacks
On top of the north tower and
looking towards High Crag
The summit cairn on the north
tower, just before the drop down to Innominate Tarn
Innominate Tarn
Innominate Tarn and the final
resting place of Alfred Wainwright, his ashes are scattered here
Looking across to the massive bulk
of Great Gable from Innominate Tarn
A path from the tarn leads to Warnscale and here a classic view of Buttermere and Crummock Water
Further round on the path and
looking towards the High Stile range
The path leads round to the western
flank of Fleetwith Pike where a very decent track can
be picked up
that takes you all the way back to Gatesgarth
On the path down
Looking back to Haystacks from the
descent path
Back down at the Honister Pass and looking south back to Fleetwith
Pike
A lingering last look back at Haystacks
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