| Walk: | Embsay, Eastby, Upper Barden Reservoir, Cracoe Obelisk, Rylstone Cross, Crookrise Crag Top, Embsay Reservoir | ||
| Start Point: | Embsay car park | Grid Reference: | SE 009 538 |
| Distance: | 12 miles | Ascent: | 2,000 feet |
| Time: | 5.5 hours | ||
| Weather: | A warm, sunny day with very little cloud or wind | ||
| Comments: | Ten walkers attended on this glorious April day. From Embsay we followed the road and a number of field paths to Eastby Gate which gives access to the open fell. Following a line of grouse butts and hunters' tracks we passed Upper Barden Reservoir on our way to the War Memorial on Cracoe Fell. After a look at the obelisk we followed the ridge to Rylstone Fell. Following lunch at the cross we descended into Waterfall Gill to cross the stream before climbing once more to reach the summit of Crookwise Crag Top. A steady descent brought us to Embsay Reservoir where we joined the road for a time before crossing the fields back to the cars. | ||
Scroll down to see photos of the walk
The weather looks promising as we gather in the car park
Heading past the grouse butts on the way to . . .
Upper Barden Reservoir . . .
where a couple of Canada Geese enjoy the sun
A house in the middle of nowhere!
A small reservoir provides an ideal spot for a break . . .
but some of the group prefer a different view
Cracoe Obelisk . . .
where John and Tony take in the views
Continuing on to Rylstone Cross, which can just be seen to the right . . .
I spot a well-camouflaged lizard on the way
Information suggests that the cross was originally erected to commemorate Waterloo and used to bear the date 1815 in large and clear figures . . .
but the present one was erected in 1995
Looking back to the Cracoe Obelisk
The rocks next to the cross provide a good spot for lunch . . .
and John tries out the 'circle seat'
Crookwise Crag Top . . .
where Tony takes it easy . . .
and John inspects the rocky ridge . . .
which we follow for a while
Embsay Reservoir leads us back to Embsay . . .
where Jacob sheep enjoy the sunny afternoon