Black Fell

Walked on 13/11/2015

Start point: Knipe Fold (SD 391 994)

Black Fell from Knipe Fold

Distance: 3.4 miles Total Ascent: 215 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 15 minutes Start Time: 09:30

Weather: Strong wind, frequent heavy showers. 6C

There has been lots of ‘weather’ around all week – rain, wind, hail – you name it. This morning didn’t seem so different when I set off in full waterproofs but I thought it didn’t turn out so bad in the end really…

Hmmm, today didn't seem to be too promising. There were frequent heavy hail showers and the sky was duller than dull as I headed for the top of Black Fell.

A dusting of snow on Helvellyn and Fairfield.

...when I turned around I could hardly believe it! The wind had blown through the cloud and there was blue sky and the odd bit of sunshine around.

Looking across to Bowfell and The Langdale Pikes.

Sunshine on The Old Man.

Looking back to Tarn Hows and Coniston Water.

Where are we?

Lingmoor Fell lit up by the sun.

It was all I could do to stay upright the wind was so strong - here is a fleeting moment of sun and clouds that tells the story of the day quite well.

The summit looking to Coniston.

Close up on Helvellyn and Fairfield.

What's the weather like Fletcher?

Dougal takes it a little more regally than Fletcher.

A wider view of the Eastern fells.

The Fairfield Horseshoe.

Drama over Windermere.

The south east cairn.

Black Crag

Height: 323 metres / 1060 feet Grid reference: NY 34023 01591 Category: The Southern Fells

Black Crag, the summit of Black Fell is to the left with the trig column visible

The summit column

The south east cairn

Black Fell

Walked on 30/01/2013

Start point: Knipe Fold (SD 391 994)

Black Fell from Knipe Fold

Distance: 3.4 miles Total Ascent: 215 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 15 minutes Start Time: 09:00

Weather: Strong wind. 7oC

There has been little chance for me to get out on the fells over this last couple of weeks but today there was an opportunity but the weather forecast seemed to scupper any plans I had. Today’s mission was to beat the forecast rain, hail, thunder…

The boys are back in town! Heading along the lane from Knipe Fold.

Black Crag, the summit of Black Fell to the left and the south east cairn to the right.

Looks a bit dull over the Coniston fells.

Windermere.

Esthwaite Water over the south east cairn.

It was a little breezy today.

Eye, eye Dougal.

Black Crag on Black Fell.

A wider view.

Looking across the wall towards Ambleside and beyond.

Lingmoor Fell with the Langdale Pikes under the cloud somewhere.

The Fairfield Horseshoe.

Coniston Water and Tarn Hows visible across the trig. column.

Esthwaite Water.

A bleak house.

A Windermere panorama from the cairn.

Looking back up to the column.

Wetherlam, clear of cloud for now.

Knipe Fold contre-jour.

Black Fell

Walked on 05/01/2012

Start point: Knipe Fold (SD 391 994)

Black Fell from Knipe Fold

Distance: 3.4 miles Total Ascent: 215 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 15 minutes Start Time: 12:45

Weather: Sunny with a cold, strong wind. 5°C

I didn’t think we would see any clear skies today, it was blowing a gale all night and most of the morning with frequent heavy showers. Everywhere was wet underfoot as you might imagine and once out of shelter the wind was still quite strong but thankfully it blew all the rain clouds far away.

A submerged jetty at Low Wood shows how much rain there has been around this week but the strong winds of last night and this morning have blown it all clear again.

The tide line shows how high the water has been.

Looking across Windermere to Crinkle Crags, Bowfell and the Langdale Pikes. On with the walk...

A pastoral view to the east from the track from Knipe Fold.

Casper and Dougal on the throne initialled 'CD'...made for those two, obviously!

The view through Iron Keld plantation to Windermere. The Low Wood Hotel (where the first photos on this page were taken) is the white building centre right.

'The Woolly Jumper' - I don't know what Dougal was up to but I stopped for a second and boi-oing, he was up here as quick as a flash, up a 7 foot wall in a single leap. Get him signed up for the Olympic squad quick!

Black Crag, the summit of Black Fell is to the left with the trig. column visible. To the right is the large south-east cairn.

The Langdale Pikes and High Raise with Lingmoor Fell in the foreground.

A wider view across Low Arnside.

Dougal and Casper on the summit.

Black Crag, the summit of Black Fell.

The view from Great Cobble.

Helvellyn and Fairfield.

Despite the sunshine it was still blowing a hoolie up here.

Looking across Ambleside to the Far Eastern fells.

Close up on the Langdale Pikes.

Crinkle Crags and Bowfell.

The boys check out the best way to the south east cairn, Esthwaite Water beyond.

Windermere, the Howgills to the right.

The south east cairn.

Helvellyn to the left, the Fairfield fells to the right beyond Great Cobble.

Esthwaite Water from the descent.

Moon rising to the east.

The Howgills to the left, Latterbarrow with the large obelisk visible to the right. On the way back...

Dreamy Coniston Water.

Black Crag

Walked on 13/12/2010

Start point: Knipe Fold (SD 391 994)

Black Crag from Knipe Fold

Distance: 3.4 miles Total Ascent: 215 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 15 minutes Start Time: 09:20

Weather: Overcast and cold. 2ºC

The rather glamorous weather from last week has gone for now; the snow has all but melted and the blue sky is just a memory and left behind is a more typical December day – a bit grey and dull. I had time for a short walk up to Black Fell and it felt warmer than the temperature gauge said thankfully.

Black Fell route map.

A blur of fur on the bridleway from Knipe Fold.

The Coniston fells and seasonal trees in Iron Keld Plantation.

There is a surprisingly good view from here - off the beaten track on the lumps and bumps in Iron Keld Plantation. This view is to the south over cold looking Hawkshead and Esthwaite Water.

Wetherlam and beyond across an icy puddle.

Heading across the deforested plantation, the south east cairn on Black Fell is visible to the right.

The Langdale Pikes through the trees..

Black Fell.

Dougal and Casper on the Black Crag, the summit of Black Fell.

Wetherlam from the summit, Coniston Old Man is lost in cloud.

Lingmoor Fell and the Langdales.

Windermere.

Hawkshead.

The Fairfield fells beyond Loughrigg.

The Helvellyn ridge and Seat Sandal.

Mono Langdales.

It looks as though it might be brightening up a little over there.

Big Wetherlam.

Esthwaite Water and Hawkshead across the south east cairn.

Frozen Tarn Hows and Coniston Water.

A panoramic view from the south east cairn (and two sniffing, snuffling dogs!).

There is even a hint of blue sky to the east but to the west remains dull.

Black Fell

Walked on 24/04/2009

Start point: Knipe Fold (SD 391 994)

Black Fell from Knipe Fold

Distance: 3.4 miles Total Ascent: 215 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 15 minutes

Weather: Mild but dull. 15°C.

It was really quite mild, still and warm this morning though the sky was for the most part leaden with the sun occasionally trying to shine through. The views were through general haziness and Casper has found a return to puppydom with his latest sleek hairstyle.

Black Fell route map.

The start of the walk.

Rat Fink leads the way to Iron Keld.

Signpost at the crossroads; we are following the Sunny Brow route.

The remains of Iron Keld Plantation.

Black Crag, the summit of Black Fell directly ahead. To the right is the south-east cairn.

'The Tongue' on Black Crag.

Windermere from Black Crag.

Champion the Wonder Dog.

Esthwaite Water across the south-eastern cairn.

Coniston Water and Tarn Hows.

Lingmoor Fell and the Langdale Pikes.

Windermere from above the trig. point.

Ambleside and the Far Eastern fells from Great Cobble, Loughrigg Fell in the mid-distance.

The view to the north.

Wetherlam.

Windermere from the south east cairn.

Bluebells (and white Bluebells!) on the return. I think Casper is wondering where I am.

Black Fell

Walked on 24/09/2007

Start point: Knipe Fold (SD 391 994)

Black Fell from Knipe Fold

Distance: 3.4 miles Total Ascent: 215 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 15 minutes

Weather: Showers. 12oC.

It really put some rain down last night and everywhere was very wet. This morning’s walk up to Black Fell was done in showery weather but I think we probably caught it right as we managed to dodge the worst of them. I think Angus was wondering where all the people and dogs had gone from last weeks walk to Helvellyn and it seemed as if he was expecting everyone to turn up again!

The view from the path to Black Fell. In the centre is Ambleside looking across to the Fairfield range to the left and Wansfell with the far eastern fells beyond to the right.

Iron Keld - formerly a plantation, now a scene of desolation.

Black Crag, the summit of Black Fell is to the left with the trig. column visible. To the right is the large south-east cairn. There is a good view of some of the lakes from Black Crag...

Windermere.

Esthwaite Water and Hawkshead.

Coniston Water and Tarn Hows.

A band of sunshine flits across Pike o' Blisco...

...then across the otherwise brooding Langdale Pikes.

The Helvellyn massif.

Black Crag and Coniston Water across the wall.

Angus and Casper at the summit. Casper is reading the sign to make sure we are in the right place!

Coniston Old Man and Wetherlam across Holme Fell.

There is even a brief glimpse of blue sky over Black Crag.

Windermere from the south-eastern cairn.

Angus auditions for a job in Trafalgar Square.

Black Fell

Walked on 18/01/2007

Start point: Knipe Fold (SD 391 994)

Black Fell from Knipe Fold

Distance: 3.4 miles Total Ascent: 215 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 15 minutes

Weather: Very windy with showers. 9°C

This morning it was as windy as yesterday, similar to conditions all over the country I expect. Today’s walk was relatively low to try and keep out of the worst of the weather. The track we used to get to Black Fell is relatively sheltered so that was not so bad; once out onto the open fellside, however, it was a different story as we were battered by the constant wind and returned in driving rain.

First stop today was Tarn Hows to check out the conditions. There were leaden skies beyond The Tarns today.

Wetherlam looming large.

Walking the track from Knipe Fold to Black Fell - there was even some sunshine

Up onto Black Fell and Wetherlam gets some sun.

The Helvellyn ridge and Fairfield.

Heading for Black Crag, the summit of Black Fell. The trig. column is to the highest point on the left and on the right is the south-east cairn.

Windermere from Black Crag.

Really strong winds up here today!

Looking north from Black Fell to Helvellyn, the Fairfield Horseshoe and Red Screes.

Casper keeps his back to the wind, spying something down below.

Tarn Hows.

Coniston Water and Tarn Hows.

Black Crag, the summit of Black Fell - no mistaking this one.

Wansfell Pike on the right with Ambleside nestling between them. Beyond are the eastern fells with the familiar outline of Ill Bell and Froswick behind Wansfell Pike.

A windswept Coniston Water from High Hollin Bank.

Black Fell

Walked on 09/12/2005

Start point: Tom Gill Car Park (NY 321 999)

Tom Gill Car Park – Tarn Hows – Black Crag – Tarn Hows – Tom Gill Car Park

Distance: 4 miles Total Ascent: 300 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes

Weather: Grey and overcast. 5ºC.

There were dull, grey skies this morning and all views from the fells were obliterated by the clouds. All was peace and tranquillity at Tarn Hows, that well known and often visited beauty spot, when I arrived first thing. The silence was deafening and there wasn’t even an Angus-bark to break it!

Approaching Tom Gill Waterfall.

Tom Gill Waterfall.

The Tarns, Tarn Hows.

Tarn Hows.

Reflections in The Tarns.

The track to Black Fell from Tarn Hows.

The denuded Iron Keld plantation. This once densely forested plantation has now been felled and is being returned to open fellside.

The approach to a misty Black Crag, the summit of Black Fell. The trig. column is on the left of the ridge, the south-east cairn on the right.

The summit column.

Today's 'view' of Windermere from Black Crag.

A wintry looking Lane Head Coppice.

Black Fell

Walked on 05/04/2005

Start point: Glen Mary Bridge, Yewdale (NY 321 999)

Glen Mary Bridge – Tarn Hows – Black Crag on Black Fell – Tarn Hows – Glen Mary Bridge

Distance: 4 miles Total Ascent: 300 metres Time Taken: 3 hours

Weather: Cloudy with showers, 9oC.

It was a bit grim this morning, so we decided on an outing to the popular tourist destination of Tarn Hows. Connie was in good spirits so we extended it to take in Black Fell, a great achievement for a 4 year old. Back at the ranch, Angus continues his recuperation and looked longingly as we left..

Black Fell route map.

Tom Gill waterfall.

The Tarns, Tarn Hows.

Well done Connie! Black Fell summit, Black Crag - her first 'proper' mountain and first Wainwright!

Ambleside and the full length of Windermere.

Coniston Water and Tarn Hows from Black Fell.

Wetherlam.

Looking to Dunmail Raise. The snow has returned to the tops of Dollywagon Pike and Fairfield to the right of Dunmail Raise and it's an icy cold wind on the top of Black Fell.

The Langdale Pikes, Lingmoor Fell in the foreground.

All that walking deserved a special treat - chocolate cake and blackcurrant juice in the tea room at Yew Tree Farm - yum!

Holme Fell

Walked on 06/08/2004

Start point: Glen Mary Bridge, Yewdale (NY 321 999)

Glen Mary Bridge – Holme Fell (136) – Hodge Close – Oxen Fell – Black Crag on Black Fell (137) – Tarn Hows – Glen Mary Bridge

Weather: Drizzle at first, clearing later.

Today’s walk takes in the lower fells of Yewdale – Holme Fell and Black Crag. Holme Fell offers great views of the Coniston range whist Black Crag gives a fine panorama of distant fells.

The walk starts from the car park at Glen Mary Bridge adjacent to the A593 Ambleside to Coniston road. Turning left from the car park, it is a short walk to Yew Tree Farm, across the bridge and right through the gate.

Yew Tree Farm. It was then through another gate on the right and I followed the track until a fork, at which I kept left and started ascending Holme Fell through Uskdale Gap above Yew Tree Tarn.

Yew Tree Tarn from Uskdale Gap. Turning left at the shoulder, the first ascent was to the large cairn on Ivy Crag then a descent across a basin to the summit outcrop of Holme Fell.

Looking to Wetherlam through the mist and drizzle from the summit of Holme Fell. Descending northwards, I threaded my way through the disused reservoirs, trees and past an old quarry to pick up a main path heading for Hodge Close.

A disused reservoir on Holme Fell.

The large hole of the eerie Hodge Close Quarry with its copper sulphate blue lake. After skirting Hodge Close, I picked up another main path which headed for High Oxen Fell Farm; through the farm the path becomes a surfaced road.

High Oxen Fell Farm. Bearing left, I then headed through Low Oxen Fell down to the main A593 and straight across to the track leading to Hollin Bank. I followed the wall up to the top of the field, through a gate on the left and up to a path past Low Arnside. Turning left at the gate before Iron Keld plantation and up onto Arnside plantation, Black Crag summit was now in view ahead. A steep climb alongside a wall took me to the summit and superb views of the surrounding area now that the drizzle had lifted.

Coniston Old Man and Wetherlam from the summit of Black Crag.

Coniston Water...

and Esthwaite Water from Black Crag summit.

Windermere from the summit of Black Crag. A large cairn is visible to the south east and I headed for this before my descent.

Wansfell Pike across Windermere from the south-east cairn. From here, I headed southwards to the Iron Keld plantation. This has changed beyond recognition recently, last time I was here at Christmas it was a dark forest. Things have now come full circle since Wainwright's days when this was an immature plantation.

Iron Keld plantation - nearly gone. I headed on through the plantation and turning right, set off down a steep path until the crossroads for Tarn Hows. There is also tree felling work ongoing in Tarn Hows itself, but with a difference as they are using a horse and cart to move the logs. I followed the main Tarn Hows path on its western shore until the outfall stream.

Tarn Hows. Following the path on the right hand side of the outfall took me past lovely waterfalls and directly back to the car park at Glen Mary Bridge.