A lovely day for our last walk of the year. There had been quite a dump of snow on Tuesday and the temperature had stayed low so there was still lots of it around today. The whole of Bolton, Manchester and all points south were covered in mist
Looking over to the south.
Fine looking fellow
Small duckpond passed as we made our way into the Stones Bank plantation.
Just about to enter the plantation and a finger of mist has crept northwards.
Leading to a very wintry scene as we pass the houses at Dimple.
As soon as we started the climb to the moor we could see the blue sky..
The wind must have scoured this hillside as there wasn't much snow on the ground which is good news for these sheep.
Plenty of snow as we climb slightly higher. The mist to the south shows no sign of burning away.
.On to Turton Heights and we head for the high ground of Cheetham Close.
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Big skies looking back to Winter Hill and Anglezarke moor.
Peel Tower and Holcombe moor over to the east from Cheetham Close.
In the valley below Entwistle reservoir is completely covered.
We had seen a snow shower approaching and for fifteen minutes we struggled our way through the sodden ground till we reached the main road.
The snow shower passed leaving Winter Hill veiled in mist.
After crossing Owshaw Clough we have to cross a hundred yards or so of horrible boggy tussocks before we can reach the track which will take us to Stake Moss.
Lovely assortment of clouds above Winter Hill.
Belmont village looking very nice in the afternoon sun.
Our route was -
Belmont - Stake Moss - Stones Bank plantation - Dimple - Turton Heights - Cheetham Close - Charters Moss - Owshaw Clough - Stake Moss - Belmont ( about 7.5 miles 900ft ascent)