Terrain Overview
Walk Overview
A day trip up to lakeland to revisit the fells available from Hartsop. Todays walk up
to Gray Crag and Thornthwaite Crag was in extreme heat and humidity which made
for slow progress. We took the route recommended by Wainwright that climbs very
steeply on pathless grass up the North facing nose of the Fell to gain the ridge line
just beyond a prominent set of crags that can be bypassed to the left. Once past these
a more prominent track can be followed all the way to the summit.
From Windermere take the Kirkstone Pass (A592) towards Ullswater and eventually
make a right turn at the signpost for Hartsop. The car park in the village is free to use.
There is an honesty box just before the intake road and you are invited to make a donation
The Honesty box
Starting out on the path with Gray Crag straight ahead
Looking towards Threshthwaite Mouth at the head of Pasture Beck valley.
This will be our return route
From the gate next to the cattle grid take the path that drops to the right which
leads to Hayeswater Reservoir
The path climbs steadily as it crosses Pasture Beck to follow a stone track
that skirts the base of Gray Crag
The point at which you decide to veer right off the path is subject to debate, but for me
having had to backtrack a little the easiest and least steep option is to just cut in
right after this prominent boulder and head diagonally left to pick up the faintest of paths
AW suggested climbing directly following the wide grass break in the rock line.
In my opinion it`s easier to aim towards the tree you can see sticking up from the
left hand shoulder of the crags. Also via this route you pick up a more well defined
stone path
The lone tree from the stone path
The path zig-zags a little as it rounds the rock outcrop, but once past it you get
your first close up view of Gray Crag
Looking left to Hayeswater Reservoir
On the upper reaches of the summit track and we pause to look back towards Hartsop
At this height now the views start to open up across the Reservoir towards The Knott,
Rest Dodd and the High Street range
After the best part of 2 hours toil - the most welcome sight of the summit
cairn on Gray Crag
At long last - now lunch and fluid. The top itself is very pleasant with great views
Click here for a 360 degree view
Team shot on the summit of Gray Crag
Looking towards Helvellyn
We now set off South to follow the ridge line to Thornthwaite Crag
In the far distance, Windermere through Threshtwaite Mouth at the head of the valley
The second objective of the day Thornthwaite Crag rising prominently on the left.
Very easy navigation
Looking back to Gray Crag
The summit cairn on Thornthwaite Crag
Looking South towards Froswick, Ill Bell and Yoke - part of the Kentmere Horseshoe
The return journey to Hartsop takes the very steep descent to the
bottom of Pasture valley on the right
Pasture valley leading back to Hartsop from the descent path
The descent path is not only steep but across loose scree so a little care is required
Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun. Even madder ones decide it
may be a good idea in lunking 40lbs of Mountain bike up a steep mountain.
Jones is none too impressed
Now we are off the majority of the loose scree and on the valley floor
This is very pleasant walking
Sue feeling very happy to have got down in one piece
