| Walk: | Embsay, Eastby, Halton East, Lower & Upper Barden Reservoirs, over Barden & Embsay Moors to Embsay Reservoir and back to Embsay | ||
| Start Point: | Embsay Car Park | Grid Reference: | SE 009 538 |
| Distance: | 10.5 miles | Ascent: | 1,500 feet |
| Time: | 5.5 hours | ||
| Weather: | Fine and mainly sunny | ||
| Comments: | 15 members made their way across the
fields to Halton East, no longer snow covered, as it was when we did
the recce. The first bit of climbing up onto the Moors was up Moor
Lane & How Gill to the cattle grid, before dropping down to Broad
Park House and the Lower Barden Reservoir. Skirting the southern
banks we made our way to the supply track up to the old (1883)
waterman’s house at the Upper Barden Reservoir. For the first time
after several visits to this area, there were signs of occupation -
cars, open door and a dog. A wonderful site with open views, even if
it is very isolated. Across the dam and our lunch stop making use of
a large pile of granite blocks once used to build the reservoir. It
had clouded over by this time and it was a bit chilly as we climbed
up over moor, to meet several 4x4s coming towards us, making their
way to the reservoirs. They were enjoying themselves and didn’t
spoil our day. It was then further over the moors past the shooters'
huts and between East & West Harts Hills before we descended to
Embsay Reservoir. The sun was back out and the temperature improved
as we approached the reservoir, but no sailing, only a couple of
sail boards to be seen. Embsay Crag looked down on us and some other
time we must climb up to it, must have good views over the valley,
and a different way onto the moors. Always something new to see and
think about. Nearly back to the cars across the fields, rather that
using the road. A good and pleasant spring like day that had been
enjoyed by all. The photographs have been interspersed with some of those taken on the recce - what a difference in conditions in just over 5 weeks! |
||
Scroll down to see photos of the walk
Leaving Embsay by Greenfield House
Rawton Beck with Haw Park & Quarry in the background . . .
and again in very different conditions
Heading for Eastby . . .
but it was almost a monochrome picture 5 weeks ago
The sun shines as we walk through Eastby . . .
and along Bark Lane and Angrymire Laithe
Mawking Hole . . .
is this really the same place?
Cragg House Farm
Residents of Cam Slate, Halton East
Cars! parked at Cam Slate . . .
but there was only one here last time we passed this way
Moor Lane, heading north from Halton East . . .
and we stop at the top of the lane for a coffee break
How Gill
Found the gate - but where is the fence?!
Brian and Brian study the map overlooking Lower Barden Moor
Looking north over Lower Barden Moor
There is a fire on the moors looking East near Simon's Seat
Waterman's House at Upper Barden Reservoir . . .
a different angle but the same house
Crossing the dam at Upper Barden Moor . . .
but previously the snow made very effective patterns against the wall
Windblown!
The 'lunch circle'
Looking back over Upper Barden Reservoir from Higher Barden Moor
The group gathers by the shooters' hut before . . .
dropping down to Embsay
No sailing today
Embsay Crag, with Good Intent Farm & Grouse Cottage
Hill Top Farm with the strange circular mounds near the Quarry on the far hills
Donald watches as Daffy has a swim
Back to Embsay