Having reviewed the forecasts for the weekend I swapped Sunday and Monday round and on Monday morning I headed to Pen y Pass for the day. Parked up at 8.20 and was surprised to find the car park pretty busy, even on a Monday.
The forecast was for clearing skies, though the view south east was not exactly promising when I set off up the Miners' Path
However, things started improving as the cloud lifted. Snowdon even poked its head up.
My route was to peel off the Miners' Path at Llyn Llydaw and to follow the path up onto Y Lliwedd, a route I've never done. Y Lliwedd was still hiding as I approached the turn off. But, as tinypics really doesn't like my photo for some reason, here's one of Snowdon clearing in the sun instead
The route up was far clearer than I was expecting. The path is well defined, though becomes a little harder to follow as it steepens towards the ridge, and is a little airy in places. However there is no technical difficulty and the views are amazing.
Approaching the ridge, and the view across, Crib Goch on the left in the sun;
And Y Lliwedd starts to reveal itself
The views for the ridge are sensational - Snowdon, Crib Goch, and, in the other direction the western hills, Yr Aran and, I think, but please correct me, Moel Hebog;
After the initial, smaller peak of Lliwedd Bach, come the twin peaks , East and West. The walking is up and down, and can be airy if you want it to be, though there is a path away for the edge. This shows West peak, taken from East peak, and also shows the Watkins path, my route for later.
Every now and then a bit of cloud would appear and make everything look a bit moody;
After Y Lliwedd the descent to Bwlch Ciliau is a bit worn and needs careful attention - no real issues but a coupe of times I chucked the poles down so as to make use of my hands. I sat near the Bwlch having my morning snack - what a wonderful place to chill;
Then the dreaded walk up the top of the Watkin path - my only comment is that it is steep. That is all.
View back over Y Lliwedd from the top of the Watkin path
Still very quiet approaching the summit, but then, as usual, there were suddenly hundreds of people. The train is still running, but, to be fair, most appeared to have walked up.
I made my way over towards Crib Y Ddysgl for lunch in the quiet and more wonderful views
Then it was a descent down the Miner's path, in relative quiet, and great views.
A last picture of the route up Y Lliwedd, taken from the Miners' Path. The route runs from about a third of the way up the left and eventually emerges onto the ridge slightly left of centre
All in all a cracking day.