Rambling Pete on Walking Places

Green Crag

Date: 19-Feb-2011

Map: Landranger 90 OL 006

Weather: Low cloud, with a little rain and sleet on higher ground.

From the car park near Dalegarth Hall, up to Stanley Force, then up to Low Ground. On to Birkerthwaite and out on the moors. Across to Green Crag, then down to Tarn Crag. Return to the valley and back along the river to the start : 10.7 miles as measured on memory map.

In 2010 I had a great weekend up at Santon Bridge and got some great sunset shots of Wasdale. Unfortunately the weather this year wasn't as friendly, so I had to settle for some lesser views. I had a couple of smaller fells to tick off, so chose Green Crag as a suitable little walk - but it's not without interest as there are some splendid falls to visit en route. The start point for me was the car park to the south of Beckfoot, a station on the narrow gauge Eskdale railway. It was ok down in the valley, a little gloomy when I set out along the farm lanes, through mixed woods and glacially striated rocky lumps. The path led me into mossy banks, a full beck and a well used path up to the big falls at Stanley Force. Anything on an OS map that is labelled force is usually good to go and see. It must be a delight in spring time when all the rhododendrons are out in full bloom - I took a mental note to return here. It is a very moist atmosphere down in the valley, and in sheltered parts the moss and ferns thrive. I crossed over the beck once or twice before reaching the thunderous falls of Stanley Force and I could have got closer if I'd scrambled around the edge of the pool. But as the signs warned of 'Danger' I stayed away. I retraced my steps back down the valley a little way , before steps took me up to the west, and further up the hillside. There is a rock ledge where you can view the higher fells, but again the signs warn of a 150ft vertical drop, so I didn't stray to the edge. Looking down at the falls there is a vast swathe of rhododendrons covering the valley sides - worth a visit in April or May. Through a gate I walked out onto open moorland and viewed the higher peaks covered in low cloud.

Green Crag from the road over Birker Fell

the beck below Stanley Force

Stanley Force

the small ascent leading out to open ground

the view point down to Stanley Force

looking up Eskdale

the view down towards the coast....if it wasn't so claggy

on the way to Whincop - Green Crag covered in clag up to the left

low cloud was the order of the day

Out on open ground the route heads up on a steady ascent along green fields, and lanes - mostly in good condition as there are a lot of small farms around here. Over to my left I could see the base of Green Crag dusted with snow, but knew that there would be no views from the top. I passed by the farm at Low Ground and then up the lanes and fields to Birkerthwaite - across the field were a couple trying to cross over the beck even though there was a small bridge about 50yds higher. Above Birkerthwaite I was out onto open moorland with plenty of crags poking out above the boggy ground, but I had my new boots on and my feet were dry and toasty. There weren't any paths that I could see across the slopes, even the sheep trods were few and far between. But the dusting of snow in between the grassy hummocks gave a clue to the worse wet areas and I steered a dry course around them. I headed higher up to Great Crag and then over towards Broad Crag where the worst of the boggy ground was. The becks marked on the map weren't very wide and usually a couple of feet down below the grass level - easy to hop over as long as you can see them. The views were limited back down towards the coast and Sellafield and ahead wasn't much better. It was a case of picking the best route across towards Green Crag and although it was a bog trot I eventually made it to the dryer flanks of Green Crag - my only Wainwright of the day. The snow was a little thicker here and quite slippery as it was a little bit thawed out. Again there were no discernable paths, so I threaded my way through some of the lower crags and eventually picked up a good trail that took me up to the summit. For the second time this month I had to imagine the views that I would have from here - mainly the Scafells to the north, the coast to the west and the Coniston Fells to the east....somewhere. I didn't wait around on the summit and made my way down to the SE initially before sweeping around to the north then the NW - I had to be sure of my bearings as there were quite a few crags around with big drops down.

Great Crag with Green Crag beyond....still in the murk

looking back at Great Crag - no discernable paths across here

looking back from the flank of Green Crag across the boggy track

starting up into the cloud on Green Crag

the summit - that's all I could say

not very good views on my way down - that's Green Crag that is

just coming out of the cloud as I walk down past Crook Crag

looking down on todays route over to Great Crag

an interesting pie looking rock, the view ahead is Great Barrow above Boot

I also didn't bother going across to Crook Crag as that wasn't any clearer and was likely to take a fair bit of time to negotiate. I headed down below the clouds towards Tarn Crag and Low Birker Tarn - at least that was clear and I could see several routes snaking around the hillside. As I wandered down the hillside I almost snapped my leg as it disappeared down a 2ft hole beneath the snow - luckily I was plodding along at the time or it could have been very nasty. The boggy path continued towards Tarn Crag and the view out over the moss wasn't the best I've ever had - there was a cairn close by the tarn, probably an old burial spot, as the views were good. The south side of Eskdale is a steep scarp slope left after the last glaciation, so once past Tarn Crag you get great views down over the Eskdale Valley. The route took me over the edge and zig-zagged downhill to Low Birker - I didn't see the Birker Force waterfall until I was down in the valley below. There is plenty of Juniper scrub higher up on the side of the steep slopes and the path wound down between thick bushes down to Doctor Bridge. This took me over the River Esk and along the opposite bank, following the signs to St Francis church. It is a gentle end to the walk back to the start, although fine drizzle stopped any good views. I passed by the old churchyard, a fine resting place and along an old lane back to the main road. A fine round of a walk for a small hill, with much to see and definitely on for a return visit in the dry summer months. My walk ended by Eskdale Green, a stroll along a quiet road, peaceful even when the Eskdale train came past - clickety clack.