Beacon Fell

Walked on 27/06/2007

Start point: At the end of the minor road from Brown Howe (SD 281 916)

Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 45 minutes

Weather: Overcast, light showers. 15oC.

It has put a lot of rain down overnight and earlier this morning but I managed to dodge the worst of it for a quick walk up to Beacon Fell. I think Angus needed the fresh air the most as he was stuck inside all day yesterday while we were out on Glaramara. Mind you, I don’t think he was complaining too much – he had his feet up in front of the TV when we got home!

I wouldn't normally take flower shots but there was so many Foxgloves out today that I couldn't resist. It must be all the rain that's making them grow.

Beacon Fell.

The cloud id down on The Old Man, Wetherlam looks reasonably clear today though.

Coniston Water.

Wetherlam.

Top o' Selside across Coniston Water.

The Old Man of Coniston.

Hiding in the grass - Angus and Casper.

Angus.

The Coniston fells from the summit of Beacon Fell.

Coniston Water from the summit.

All ours today boys!

Beacon Tarn.

Descending through the heather.

Wool Knott on the far side of Beacon Tarn.

It still look a bit grey but the clouds have cleared from Coniston for now.

Beacon Fell

Walked on 12/03/2007

Start point: At the end of the minor road from Brown Howe (SD 281 916)

Beacon Fell (OF) from Tottle Bank

Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 45 minutes

Weather: Overcast but clearing. 8oC.

Today walk was a short and quick one up to Beacon Fell. I changed the normal route of return for this one – instead of descending to the tarn I contoured the lower slopes of the fell, thus avoiding the boggy area to the north of Beacon Tarn. It was good to see the treasure tin at the top still going strong!

The clouds are down over Wetherlam across Torver Low Common.

Caw.

Beacon Fell.

Climbing the gully on the way to Beacon Fell's summit.

Coniston Water.

The view to the north-east.

Angus and Casper above Coniston Water.

Coniston Water from near the summit of Beacon Fell.

Beacon Fell.

Beacon Fell and Coniston Water.

Looking down on Beacon Tarn and Wool Knott.

Casper eyes up the sheep below.

Fairfield and the top end of the horseshoe. The clouds have lifted quickly off these fell compared to the photos above - all within about ten minutes.

The Old Man of Coniston.

Brown Pike appears for a moment through a break in the clouds.

Beacon Fell

Walked on 01/01/2007

Start point: At the end of the minor road from Brown Howe (SD 281 916)

Beacon Fell (OF) from Tottle Bank

Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 2 hours

Weather: Cold and windy. 7oC.

It was nice to be out for the first walk of 2007 up on Beacon Fell today – the last week or so has not been great for weather so we have stuck to low level ones and the highest we have been is up to Stickle Pike with the the whole walk being completely in mist. Connie was spurred on by the thought of the hidden treasure tin once again; this ensures Beacon Fell remains a firm favourite with her!

The Coniston fells across Torver Low Common - clear for now.

Heading for Beacon Fell - looks like Connie is making a dash for it!

Now Casper is waiting for us whilst Angus has a barking session.

Dog-wonder himself!

High Nibthwaite and the southern end of Coniston Water.

The cloud has come down on the higher fells now, Caw remains clear to the left. Immediately prior to this, a huge rain storm passed from Caw along the common - fortunately it missed us!

The family on top of Beacon Fell - Louise, Connie, Casper and Angus. Connie has found the treasure tin (again).

Coniston Water from Beacon Fell.

Black Combe gets a touch of sunshine.

Stickle Pike.

Beacon Tarn - it's too cold for a dip today young lady.

Beacon Tarn again, Wool Knott on the far side.

The cloud is lifting again on the Coniston fells across Torver Low Common - Dow Crag, The Old Man and Wetherlam.

The Old Man and Wetherlam from further along the path.

Monochromatic Coniston.

There is snow on Helvellyn and Fairfield to the north.

Coniston Water from Brown How.

Beacon Fell

Walked on 16/11/2006

Start point: At the end of the minor road from Brown Howe (SD 281 916)

Beacon Fell (OF) from Tottle Bank

Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 1 hour

Weather: Showery. 9oC.

Where to today then? It certainly looked grey and miserable again this morning and I didn’t fancy getting another soaking like yesterday, so lowly Beacon Fell it was. Always a delight to climb this one and we (mostly) kept out of the rain.

Looking across Torver Low Common to the Coniston Fells, a thick layer of cloud covering them.

Brown Pike, Buck Pike and Dow Crag covered in cloud.

The Old Man of Coniston.

Beacon Fell.

Coniston Water from the climb up to Beacon Fell.

Casper in the heather.

'Tonight Matthew, I'm going to be Rod Stewart'.

Coniston Water from the summit.

The Coniston fells.

Two hardy souls braving the wind.

Looking across a red carpet to the saw tooth Dunnerdale Fells and Caw.

Beacon Tarn.

Looks a bit chilly for a swim.

Angus sets sail for Wool Knott.

The cloud lifting slightly on Wetherlam - it was soon back down though.

Cascades on Black Beck.

Beacon Fell

Walked on 17/07/2006

Start point: At the end of the minor road from Brown Howe (SD 281 916)

Beacon Fell (OF) from Tottle Bank

Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 2 hours 30 minutes

Weather: Scorching! 27oC.

It was always going to be a hot one today, so Connie and I along with her school friend Maya, dad Nick and dog Buster had a relatively early start up to the delightful Beacon Fell. It was so this morning warm that the delights of the cool looking Beacon Tarn were too hard for all of us to resist!

Looking across Torver Common to the Coniston fells at the start of the walk.

Maya and Connie lead the way with Beacon Fell ahead whilst Nick and Buster wait for us.

Angus and Casper have other things to do in a damp patch of mud.

Coniston Water.

Maya and Connie enjoyed the view.

The 'treasure' tin is still there at the summit. Looks like Connie has found a treasure map!

The Coniston fells from the summit of Beacon Fell.

These two feel like they are on top of the world up here.

The Old Man of Coniston.

Caw.

"Daddy - I fell in again!".

Oh well, in for a penny...!

Angus was in too - so were we all!

Having a rest after a great swim.

Connie looking cool after her swim.

Beacon Tarn, Wool Knott beyond.

The way back - descending the Cumbria Way.

Dow Crag and The Old Man.

Beacon Fell

Walked on 16/03/2006

Start point: Brown Howe car park on the Torver – Greenodd road. (SD 290 910)

Beacon Fell (OF) from Brown Howe

Distance: 3.75 miles Total Ascent: 382 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weather: Snowy with snow showers, 3oC

The original intention today was to complete a circuit of the Coniston fells – when I reached Coniston this morning, there was a heavy snowstorm which stopped me from going; I was worried about getting home again. As it happened, it cleared up later, although it had started snowing yet again when I set off for Beacon Fell and I could see there were snow clouds over the high fells, which occasionally cleared briefly to allow at least some views.

Winter on Beacon Fell.

The summit ahead.

The Coniston fells appear from a snow shower - I should have gone up there!

Wainwright's rocky gully has turned into a snowy gully.

Coniston Water.

Dow Crag, The Old Man in a snow shower and Wetherlam.

A monochromatic view of the Coniston fells.

The summit of Beacon Fell.

Black Combe.

Looking back along the summit ridge.

Caw.

'Sparkly Tarn' lives up to its name (remember?).

...and the treasure was still there!

The way back along the Cumbria Way...

...usually boggy, now frozen.

Beacon Fell

Walked on 04/11/2005

Start point: At the end of the minor road from Brown Howe (SD 281 916)

Beacon Fell (OF) from Tottle Bank

Distance: 2 miles Total Ascent: 200 metres Time Taken: 45 minutes

Weather: Cold, windy with showers. 10oC.

There was more heavy rain this morning, so it was one of those days where I set off not knowing where I was going until I found a bright spot. The southern end of Coniston Water looked a good bet and it wasn’t a bad guess as most of the walk was done in the dry, only spoiled by a drizzly shower towards the end.

The path has turned into a river at the start of the walk.

The view over Coniston Water to the eastern side of the lake from the ascent.

Beacon Fell.

Coniston Water.

Angus finds a pinnacle.

The summit of Beacon Fell...

...is a bit windy.

Looking across to the high Coniston fells, covered by low cloud.

Beacon Tarn.

Wool Knott across Beacon Tarn.

Black Beck, normally a trickle - now a torrent after the heavy rain.

The River Crake, the outflow of Coniston Water is also swollen by the heavy rain.

Beacon Fell

Walked on 31/05/2005

Start point: Brown Howe car park on the Torver – Greenodd road. (SD 290 910)

Beacon Fell (OF) from Brown Howe

Distance: 3.75 miles Total Ascent: 382 metres Time Taken: 3 hours 30 minutes

Weather: A warm, sunny day, 18°C.

The schools are on holiday again this week, so I was joined on this lovely, sunny walk up to Beacon Fell by Connie, my 4 year old daughter. With promises of ‘treasure’ at the top (thanks to Liz Lemal for telling me about it) it made for an interesting walk with great views on such a nice day.

Beacon Fell route map.

A clear view to the Coniston Fells from the ascent of Beacon Fell.

The approach to Beacon Fell.

Lots of Cotton Grass for Connie to pick as a present for Mum.

Coniston Water.

There is a treasure trove on the summit of Beacon Fell - a tin with a notebook and pens inside for people to leave a message - Connie enjoyed drawing a picture of herself in there. Here Angus is sentinel as Connie sits atop the cairn; 'the tin' is visible above Angus' head.

The head of Coniston Water. In the distance are Helvellyn, Fairfield and Dove Crag with the familiar hump-back shape of Red Screes in the centre.

Looking south-west to Black Combe.

Caw.

Looking across Beacon Tarn, a lovely place for our picnic, to Wool Knott. Connie named this 'Sparkly Tarn' as it looked so beautiful with the sunshine on it.

Dow Crag and The Old Man of Coniston.

Returning along the Cumbria Way.

Beacon Fell

Walked on 04/04/2005

Start point: Brown Howe car park on the Torver – Greenodd road. (SD 290 910)

Beacon Fell (OF) from Brown Howe

Distance: 3.75 miles Total Ascent: 382 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 20 minutes

Weather: Cloudy with sunny spells, 12oC.

As the sun was shining this afternoon, I thought it worth a visit up to Beacon Fell at the Southern end of Coniston Water. Angus is out of action for a little while as he had an operation on his leg today.

There are unrivalled views of the Coniston Fells from here and as Wainwright said, ‘Beacon Fell ranks amongst the most delectable of the lesser heights of Lakeland.’

This walk follows Wainwright’s Beacon Fell chapter in his book ‘The Outlying Fells of Lakeland’, page 98.

Coniston Water (formerly Thurstonmere) from Beacon Fell "A grove there is whose boughs Stretch from the western marge of Thurstonmere With length of shade so thick, that whoso glides Along the line of low-roofed water, moves As in a cloister." William Wordsworth - The Prelude, 1888