Far Easedale Round

Walked on 26/04/2024

Walking Diary 2024

Start Point: Lancrigg Car Park, Easedale (NY 331 083)

Lancrigg Car Park, Easedale – Stythwaite Steps – Tarn Crag East Ridge – Tarn Crag – Codale Head – Sergeant Man – High Raise – Low White Stones – Greenup Edge – Brownrigg Moss – Calf Crag – Gibson Knott – Helm Crag – Lancrigg Car Park, Easedale

Distance: 17.3 km Total Ascent: 805 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 45 minutes Start Time: 07:45

Weather: Cold wind, clear spells, 5°C

I have had this walk lined up for a little while but was waiting for a suitable weather window to do it. I was rewarded for that wait today, the weather being absolutely fantastic and coupled with the surroundings made this walk very enjoyable from start to finish – I can well recommend it. When I looked back through my walks, the last time I was up on Tarn Crag was in 2010 – an unbelievable 14 years ago!

Easedale at the start of the walk and what a beautiful start to the day. The birds were singing and there wasn't a breath of wind.

Looking across Easedale to Sour Milk Gill with Tarn Crag beyond, the pointed summit is where we are heading, climbing along the east ridge.

Heading into Far Easedale towards Stythwaite Steps.

The crossing of Far Easedale Gill at Stythwaite Steps (which is now a footbridge).

Looking into Far Easedale with Calf Crag at the head, the way we will be returning later.

Just at the top of the wall on the climb from the footbridge, these rocks mentioned by Wainwright can be seen. He calls it 'Interesting boulder' and the drawing is shown on The Central Fells, Tarn Crag 6. "The two boulders illustrated above still have foliage (heather and tree) and are a destination popular enough to have encouraged the creation of a path".

Hey, ewe! I wonder what has caught this Herdy's attention?! (Clue: he has 4 legs, a waggy tail and is my walking companion!).

The prominent Rock Tor on the east ridge, a good marker to let you know you are going the right way.

Looks like Fletcher was just in time with his new haircut, he is loving the weather above Easedale Tarn.

Blea Rigg across Easedale Tarn, the conditions were perfect up here.

Tarn Crag ahead with Deer Bield Crag to the right. The summit is the pointed peak in the centre.

Tarn Crag summit. There is not much of a cairn left now.

Water, water everywhere...the pools are frozen still on the tops when we crossed Tarn Crag southwards to have a look over Easedale Tarn.

Back to Tarn Crag summit - this is the rock plinth that marks the summit.

Beautiful shifting light on Codale Tarn, beyond is Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark.

Fletcher leads the way on the climb to Codale Head.

Sergeant Fletcher checks out Sergeant Man .

The clouds seemed to be building now as we summited Sergeant Man, here looking down on the back of the Langdale Pikes, Pavey Ark to the right with Stickle Tarn visible, Lingmoor Fell and Side Pike central and the Coniston fells beyond.

A magnificent view of Bowfell and the Scafells from Sergeant Man.

Great Gable and High Stile over Glaramara.

Once we reached the summit of High Raise (the centre of the Lake District and the highest point on today's walk) I stopped for a while and had a brew taking in the fantastic views in near perfect conditions. It is one of my favourites fells and it never fails to disappoint. This is looking into Langstrath from the coffee stop.

Look at this view to Skiddaw and Blencathra, it is magnificent. When I first sat down there wasn't a breath of wind and it was silent apart from the chirruping of the Skylarks. 10 minutes later when I stood up to carry on, the wind had picked up noticeably so its looked like I hit the sweet spot with timing there!

I headed down to Low White Stones following the path.

Descending Greenup Edge, even normally dull Ullscarf is looking good today.

It always strikes me that everything seems within easy reach from here, Sergeant's Crag and Eagle Crag especially as they are so near yet for me it is a long drive round to Borrowdale to climb them from that side.

There is a new pavement under construction across Wythburn, I must say these large slabs make the going a lot easier than trying to get across the previously boggy area.

Fletcher crosses the gateway through the invisible fence.

Heading for Calf Crag and the start of the return leg.

looking along Far Easedale to Grasmere from Calf Crag.

Fletcher in a thoughtful pose.

Looking across Far Easedale to Tarn Crag from Gibson Knott.

...and looking along to Helm Crag from the same place.

A Birds Eye view of the path walked earlier. At the bottom is the bridge at Stythwaite Steps. Follow the wall up and round and Wainwright's 'interesting boulder' is also visible.

Helm Crag ahead looking across Bracken Hause.

Looking back to Gibson Knott from the climb to Helm Crag.

The Howitzer, the summit rocks that mark the top of Helm Crag - also known as the Lion and the Lamb.

A little further on and these are the rocks that give the fells the local name of The Lion and the Lamb (although from this side it should be The Lamb and the Lion!).

Grasmere - town and lake.

I spotted this plaque hidden away in Lancrigg Gardens on a small rock. It is in Latin, the inscription reads "Hoc in supercilic sedebat Dorothea Wordsworth dum ex ore fratis prope inambulantis carmina describit" translated as "Dorothy Wordsworth used to sit at this spot, writing down the poems that her brother dictated as he walked nearby".

Helm Crag

Height: 405 metres / 1329 feet Grid reference: NY 32630 09353 Category: The Central Fells

Helm Crag in Autumn

High Raise with Helm Crag in the foreground across the Vale of Grasmere, from Stone Arthur

The Howitzer on Helm Crag

The Lion and The Lamb from the top of the Howitzer

Helm Crag

Walked on 28/04/2014

Start Point: Roadside parking near to Helmside (NY 332 096)

Helmside – Greenburn – Pike of Carrs – Gibson Knott – Helm Crag – Bracken Hause – Greenburn – Helmside

Distance: 4 miles Total Ascent: 442 metres Time Taken: 1 hour 30 minutes Start Time: 10:45

Weather: Calm but dull, 13°C

The weather wasn’t too great again this morning, in fact the sky was leaden but it was perfectly still. Most of the higher (and the lower!) tops were lost in mist but we didn’t fare too badly up on the Helm Crag ridge.

Helm Crag

A panoramic view of Grasmere to start.

Greenburn.

Helm Crag and Green Burn.

Greenburn Bottom looking a bit murky.

Gibson Knott, looking to Helm Crag.

Dougal checks out what is down in Far Easedale.

The climb to Helm Crag.

Looking back to Gibson Knott.

The Howitzer.

The Dog, the Lamb and the Lion.

The Lion and the Lamb.

Looking down on Grasmere.

Steel Fell from the descent back to Greenburn.

Helm Crag

Walked on 18/10/2010

Start point: Roadside parking near to Helmside (NY 332 096)

Helmside – Greenburn – Pike of Carrs – Gibson Knott – Helm Crag – Bracken Hause – Greenburn – Helmside

Distance: 4 miles Total Ascent: 442 metres Time Taken: 2 hours Start Time: 09:30

Weather: Overcast with the odd shower. 13C

The weather was changeable today with showers blowing across Grasmere and the colours certainly look more autumnal now. The walk up Greenburn and up to the Helm Crag ridge was quite easy going if a bit boggy underfoot in places, but I think that’s par for the course around here. Today I was joined by Ken, an old friend.

Helm Crag route map.

Heading into a boggy looking Greenburn.

Helm Crag.

Green Burn and Greenburn.

Climbing higher into Greenburn.

Greenburn Bottom.

Wainwright: 'Sheepfold (with massive corners).'

Far Easedale from the Gibson Knott ridge, Tarn Crag opposite.

A view to Grasmere and Loughrigg Fell along Far Easedale.

Dougal and Casper (sporting their new winter haircut) on Gibson Knott.

Walking the ridge to Helm Crag.

Far Easedale one way...

...and Helm Crag the other.

Steel Fell with Helvellyn beyond, lost in cloud.

The Lion and The Lamb (or, more correctly in this photo - The Lamb and The Lion!).

Grasmere.

Looking back to The Howitzer.

The Howitzer - the top is the summit of Helm Crag. We didn't bother climbing it today as it was very greasy underfoot and the wind was blowing strongly on here.

Steel Fell from the descent back into Greenburn.

Autumn colours on the return.

Helm Crag

Walked on 19/06/2009

Start point: Roadside parking near to Helmside (NY 332 096)

Helmside – Greenburn – Bracken Hause – Helm Crag – Greenburn – Helmside

Distance: 1.8 miles Total Ascent: 290 metres Time Taken: 1 hour

Weather: Frequent heavy showers. 13C.

There was rain everywhere this morning with only the odd bright patch shining through. One of those bright patches was Helm Crag so I opted for a walk up to it from Helmside, a short and steep ascent that one was. I managed to climb The Howitzer too, the Wainwright summit that Wainwright famously never reached as it was too tricky. Even Casper had a good go at it today though!

Helm Crag route map.

Seat Sandal across Town End Farm.

Greenburn and Steel Fell.

Helm Crag across Green Burn.

All is green and pleasant looking back to Helmside.

Waterfall on Green Burn.

Crossing the bridge over Green Burn.

Starting the climb to Bracken Hause, aptly named at this time of year.

Steel Fell.

The view from higher up, the rain was persistent now.

The Helvellyn ridge is under the clag.

Hurry up dad! The climb to Helm Crag from Bracken Hause.

Looking back to Gibson Knott from Helm Crag.

The Howitzer, the highest point and true summit of Helm Crag.

Blimey, Casper has a good go at getting up there!

The view towards The Lion and The Lamb and Grasmere from the top of The Howitzer. It was pouring down with rain and the wind had picked up now and I did wonder what on earth I was doing at the top of here! No wonder I was on my own.

Looking back to The Howitzer, Steel Fell and Dunmail Raise.

The Lion, The Lamb and The Dog.

Close up on The Lion and The Lamb.

The Vale of Grasmere. It was absolutely chucking it down now so camera away and lets get down.

Back at the bridge over Green Burn.

Greenburn Round

Walked on 31/07/2008

Start point: Roadside parking near to Helmside (NY 332 096)

Helmside – Cotra Breast – Steel Fell – Brownrigg Moss – Calf Crag – Gibson Knott – Helm Crag – Thorny How – Low Mill Bridge – Helmside

Distance: 6.8 miles Total Ascent: 653 metres Time Taken: 3 hours

Weather: Overcast, showers towards the end. 22ºC.

Today was another day when I ended up doing a walk that I had not planned – I was off to the western fells but it was bucketing down with rain over that way and I could see it was brighter to the north east, so that was good enough for me. I think I was lucky to finish this walk relatively dry too as the rain came in as I reached valley level.

Greenburn with Steel Fell to the right.

Looking across to Helm Crag.

The same view from higher up the climb to Steel Fell.

Climbing Cotra Breast.

A good view of the Helm Crag to Gibson Knott ridge, the route of return.

Helvellyn from Dead Pike, the summit of Steel Fell.

Hmm, not much running water up here for Casper to have a bathe in, just boggy puddles.

Thirlmere and Blencathra from Steel Fell.

The route arcs round to the left past the un-named tarn. Beyond is the High Raise plateau.

Blencathra and Clough Head.

Ullscarf.

Helvellyn.

Calf Crag summit looking along the ridge to Grasmere.

Wrong way Casper, we are off to Gibson Knott!

Saint Sunday Crag.

Tarn Crag and Far Easedale.

The Langdale Pikes beyond Tarn Crags from Gibson Knott.

Casper strikes the mountain dog pose on the way to Helm Crag.

Easedale Tarn is now in view on the upper left with Sergeant Man beyond Tarn Crag.

The climb to Helm Crag from Bracken Hause.

Steel Fell from the top of The Howitzer, the true summit of Helm Crag.

The Lion and The Lamb on the left, Loughrigg Fell and Grasmere from The Howitzer.

The view across to Seat Sandal, Fairfield and Great Rigg from The Howitzer.

Steel Fell beyond the rocky pinnacle that is The Howitzer.

The path to The Lion and The Lamb.

Grasmere from The Lion.

Looking back to Steel Fell.

High Raise

Walked on 27/02/2006

Start point: Grasmere (NY 337 076)

Grasmere – Goody Bridge – Helmside – Steel Fell (464) – Greenup Edge – Brownrigg Moss – Low White Stones – High Raise – Sergeant Man – Codale Head – Brownrigg Moss – Calf Crag – Gibson Knott – Helm Crag – Grasmere

Distance: 11 miles Total Ascent: 1000 metres Time Taken: 5 hours

Weather: Dull and grey with the snow showers. 5°C

Today’s walk was from Grasmere with a circuit of Greenburn, also taking in High Raise and Sergeant Man. There was lots of snow about today with mini-blizzards on the higher sections of High Raise and Sergeant Man.

Looking across to Helm Crag from the steep ascent to Steel Fell.

Lots of OFC members and dogs on the way up to Steel Fell.

Looking across to the snow capped Helvellyn ridge across Dunmail Raise.

Seat Sandal.

Looking back down Steel Fell to Helm Crag with Grasmere beyond with the snow falling now.

Steel Fell summit.

Thirlmere from Steel Fell.

Helvellyn across an un-named tarn on the ridge to Gibson Knott.

Brownrigg Moss with Greenup Edge in the distance - the route to High Raise.

An icy beck on Low White Stones.

The central fells and Bassenthwaite Lake.

Steel Fell just beneath the clouds from Low White Stones.

Langstrath from High Raise.

Angus complete with snowy beard on High Raise.

A snowy High Raise summit.

Bow Fell from High Raise.

Crinkle Crags from a frozen tarn below Sergeant Man's summit.

Pavey Ark and Harrison Stickle from Sergeant Man.

On the edge of Sergeant Man, Stickle Tarn below.

A snowy Saint Sunday Crag and Fairfield contrast against Dollywagon Pike and Seat Sandal with Steel Fell in the centre.

The Lion and The Lamb from the top of the Howitzer, the summit of Helm Crag; Grasmere and Loughrigg Fell beyond.

Grasmere from The Lion and The Lamb.

Easedale.

Helm Crag from Easedale.

Jack’s Rake

Walked on 17/08/2005

Grasmere – Easedale – Easedale Tarn – Belles Knott – Stickle Tarn – Pavey Ark – Thunacar Knott – Sergeant Man – High Raise – Low White Stones – Greenup Edge – Brownrigg Moss – Calf Crag – Gibson Knott – Helm Crag – Grasmere

Distance: 12.5 miles Total Ascent: 1256 metres Time Taken: 4 hours 45 minutes

Weather: Turning sunny and warm. 23°C.

Today was a choice of walk for 14 year old James; as he’s wanted to climb Jack’s Rake (sorry Angus, not a walk for dogs!) and Helm Crag (commonly known as ‘The Lion and the Lamb’) for a while, we killed two birds with one stone today and did a long round from Grasmere. The weather started somewhat dull but by the time we reached Easedale Tarn, the sun shone and it turned into a glorious day with memorable, superb views from our lunch stop on High Raise.

Jack's Rake

Easedale Tarn.

Belles Knott - the 'Matterhorn' of Easedale.

James on the summit of Belles Knott, looking across Easedale to Blea Rigg.

Codale Tarn, Tarn Crag, Belles Knott and Easedale Tarn.

Stickle Tarn, Harrison Stickle and Pavey Ark.

Approaching Jack's Rake which can be seen as a diagonal groove centre right - left.

Looking up the steep Jack's Rake.

Climbing the Rake.

Stickle Tarn from Jack's Rake.

Harrison Stickle from Pavey Ark.

Another view of Harrison Stickle from one of the tarns on Pavey Ark.

The view from High Raise.

Bow Fell from High Raise.

Skiddaw in the distance from the summit of High Raise.

The Gibson Knott - Helm Crag ridge from Calf Crag.

Approaching Helm Crag, Grasmere in view to the right.

James admiring the view from the true summit of Helm Crag, on top of the rocks known as 'The Howitzer'. Wainwright never reached this highest position on Helm Crag!

The Howitzer on Helm Crag.

Grasmere from Helm Crag.

The Lion & The Lamb

Walked on 24/08/2004

Start point: Grasmere (NY 337 076)

Grasmere – Easedale – Easedale Tarn – Tarn Crag (140) – Codale Head (141) – Sergeant Man (142) – High Raise (143) – Calf Crag (144) – Gibson Knott (145) – Helm Crag (146) – Grasmere

Weather: Sunny at first, rain later.

Today’s walk is a circuit of Grasmere Common, taking in the ever popular Easedale Tarn and the high point of High Raise.

Car parking for this walk is in the village of Grasmere, the popular car park for walks in this area on the Easedale Road has now been transformed into a mini housing estate!

Setting off in bright sunshine (surprising as it was pouring down earlier), I followed the Easedale Road up to Easedale, over the bridge and through an iron gate onto the well defined rocky path.

Helm Crag from Easedale. The path follows the stream with Sourmilk Gill waterfalls visible ahead and ascends adjacent to them. The falls were in full spate due to the amount of rain over the past few days.

Sourmilk Gill waterfalls. Continuing upwards, the still well defined path leads to the lovely and popular Easedale Tarn.

Helm Crag from Easedale Tarn. Visible up to the right is Tarn Crag; I crossed Sourmilk Gill where it exits the tarn and followed the path around the tarn and then a diagonal ascent through the bracken to Tarn Crag.

Tarn Crag from Easedale Tarn. The summit of Tarn Crags is not easy to determine at the best of times as there are many rocky knolls, it was made harder as the mist descended over the top as I arrived. The highest point is up to the right as you arrive on the summit plateau.

Tarn Crag summitCodale Tarn, right. Carrying on westerly along the plateau, Codale Head can be seen ahead with Codale Tarn down to the left. There is an easy ascent to the large cairn; the remains of an old fence leads the way to the summit from half way up.

Codale Tarn, right. Carrying on westerly along the plateau, Codale Head can be seen ahead with Codale Tarn down to the left. There is an easy ascent to the large cairn; the remains of an old fence leads the way to the summit from half way up.

High Raise from Codale Head. To the south-west lies the attractive pyramid of Sergeant Man and it is an easy traverse to reach it.

Sergeant Man from Codale Head

Codale Head and Sergeant Man from the walk to High Raise.

Bright Beck from Sergeant Man. The clouds were lifting now giving fabulous glimpses of Bright Beck and the Langdale Pikes. From Sergeant Man, High Raise was an easy, if somewhat boggy, stroll - there is a trig column on the bouldery summit. From High Raise summit the views were clear - it looked as though it was raining elsewhere, especially over Keswick.

Pike O' Stickle from the summit of High Raise.

Looking across the Langstrath Valley to Glaramara with the High Stile ridge beyond. From High Raise I headed towards Codale Head again; I missed the path here and ended up descending a bit too far to Ferngill Crag. Once I realised my mistake, I contoured across to Broadstone Head and across the Greenup Edge/Far Easedale pass and an easy ascent to the summit of Calf Crag. Here the heavens opened as I arrived and from here on it was a monsoon all the way.

Looking along Far Easedale to Helm Crag from the walk to Calf Crag. Heron Pike is in the distance.

Loughrigg in the centre distance from the summit of Calf Crag. From Calf Crag, it is a pleasant walk along an undulating ridge to reach Gibson Knott, the summit being marked by a large cairn.

Helm Crag from the summit of Gibson Knott. Helm Crag can now be seen in the distance and it is another undulating walk to reach it followed by a sharp climb at the end. Once on Helm Crag ridge, the first large piece of rock is known as 'The Howitzer' due to its appearance from Dunmail Raise. The top of these rocks is the true summit of Helm Crag.

Steel Fell and Dunmail Raise from The Howitzer. Further along the ridge there are two lumps of rock, one large and one small. These are referred to as 'The Lion and The Lamb' due to their appearance from below.

The Howitzer

The Lion and The Lamb on the summit of Helm Crag. Carrying on along the ridge, the obvious path descends toward Grasmere. Taking the path at the gap in the wall, down past the houses, across the road to another path which takes you to Easedale and the original path at the start of the walk. From here it is an easy walk back to Grasmere.

The Langdale Pikes

Walked on 07/01/2003

This is it – the first walk ever published on the original StridingEdge – back in those days I could a) only fit 6 or 7 images on the memory card I had so it was used sparingly and b) the internet was still on dial up so these photos took forever to load up anyway!

Although these pictures were taken in 2003, the site didn’t get up and running until 31st January 2004 when there was the proverbial one man and his dog with no one bothering to look at the photos until eventually the site gained in popularity. Looking back on these photos whilst updating is funny as I can remember the walks as if they were yesterday…

Dungeon Ghyll – Stickle Tarn – Jacks Rake – Pavey Ark (1) – Harrison Stickle (2) – Loft Crag (3) – Pike O’ Stickle (4) – Stake Pass – Mickelden – Dungeon Ghyll

Pike O'Stickle summit looking towards Bowfell and Rossett Pike.

L-R:Great End, Allen Crags, Great Gable, Green Gable, Seathwaite Fell and Base Brown from Pike O'Stickle summit.

View from Pike O'Stickle looking towards Skiddaw.

Harrison Stickle from Loft Crag.

The next walk (I had begun counting the Wainwright’s at the same time) was as follows. There are no photos so either the weather was bad or I wasn’t into the habit yet.

Grasmere – Easedale Tarn – Sergeant Man (5) – High Raise (6) – Gibson Knott (7) – Calf Crag (8) – Helm Crag (9) – Grasmere