White Pike 13th June 2020Forecast was for improving weather so we decided to go for a family outing up onto the fells on Sunday. We wanted somewhere a bit off the beaten track, yet not too far away, and I remembered
Karl's Around Dunnerdale Trip Report from February - Natty Bridge had stuck in my mind. Karl had climbed Caw, but I had been up there with my youngest son last summer, so we chose White Pike and the ridge along to Dow Crag as our objective - I did fancy a look at Cold Tarn too, somewhere else that I have yet to visit. We drove to Torver and then drove up narrow Hummers Lane to the SW, parking at the largest of the car parks beside the forestry plantation.
https://my.viewranger.com/route/details/MzExMjYwNA==We walked south west along the minor road, dark clouds above us but brighter skies towards the coast. The spring flowers have been replaced by summer flowers, Yellow Rattle, Foxgloves, Red Clover, Hawkweed, Lady's Bedstraw, Birds Foot Trefoil - a real joy. After half a mile or so, we took a footpath over a stile and entered the woods; this path took us over boardwalks and across a forest road to the atmospheric ruins at Appletree Worth - love the name.
White Pike (left) from the forest track that we crossed on the way to Appletree Worth. Coniston Old Man has his head in the clouds.The enchanting ruins at Appletree WorthSlippery stepping stones crossing Appletree Worth Beck- we used the nearby stone footbridge.Rather than take the footpath that cuts across the southern flank of The Knott, we chose to follow a forest road that curls around to the south, not a big diversion and easy going, and it took us past some fine larch trees. The track curved around to the north, and then climbed steadily upwards above the eastern bank of the River Lickle, which burbled away below us. Spotted some insectivorous Butterwort in the ditch beside the track.
Insectivorous Butterwort - we could see midges and greenfly stuck to the leavesWhite Pike from the forest road that runs up the Lickle valley - it looks steep!A gate led onto the open fellside above the forest, and we crossed Natty Bridge, Tess our spaniel whining a bit because she didn't like seeing the drop between the planks! As we climbed, it started raining so it was out with the waterproofs. The bridleway splits in a few places, but we just kept heading upwards and we eventually emerged onto the western flank of White Pike overlooking Dunnerdale, with the Walna Scar Quarry spoil tips ahead. Thankfully, the rain had stopped.
Looking back down the Lickle Valley, Natty Bridge visible to the left.The western flank of White Pike looked quite formidable above us - steep scree with a line of crags above. There was no avoiding the issue though, so we climbed directly up steep grass slopes to the remains of a quarry track, which bought us out onto a wide grassy terrace below the scree. From here we climbed leftwards (north) across the steepening slopes, between small crags and across slimy scree - not very pleasant when tethered to an excitable spaniel! The slope eased as we passed beyond the crags though, and we were able to climb the steep grass directly, emerging onto the ridge quite suddenly - quite a relief. The wind was strong though, so we took shelter behind the summit cairn to have a snack whilst admiring the extensive view.
South towards the Duddon Estuary from the steep western slopes of White Pike. Black Combe is the hill on the right.Verdant Dunnerdale far below, with pyramid shaped Harter Fell on the right. I think that I spy the Newfield Inn far left!The view s
outh from the summit of White Pike. The Scafell range covered in cloud to the northThe Dow Crag ridge covered in cloud - hills for another dayWe decided that we had had enough, and that it was time to head on down - we didn't even bother to 'bag' nearby White Maiden. There didn't seem much point, to be honest, as it would be an anti-climax after our steep climb up shapely White Pike. From the saddle between White Pike and White Maiden we turned south eastwards and descended down steepening grass slopes into a shallow grassy gully.
Caw became more prominent as we descendedThere is a line of crags at the bottom of the slope which required care as we were approaching from above, but I angled to the right slightly and we were able to climb down a short steep grassy gully to gain the easier ground below. A good trod angled westwards along the foot of the slopes, giving us an excellent view of the rocky southernn face of White Pike. I say 'face' as it really was quite impressive from this angle.
The impressive southern face of White Pike - the overhanging rock to the right looks like a giant grizzly bear!We crossed a boggy stream and re-joined the bridleway, spotting some sundews in the bog nearby.
A close up of Round Leaved Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia)The weather had improved dramatically, and we actually got quite hot as we re-traced our steps over Natty Bridge and into the forest beyond. The sun bought out the best in the flowers - Hawkweeds, Birds Foot Trefoil, Foxgloves, Tormentil, St John's Wort, Red Clover Ladies Bedstraw to name but a few - lovely. The forest smelt gorgeous in the hot sun too.
Another view of White Pike - not quite Buchaille Etive Mor, but quite impressive for such a lowly hill none the less. Descending into the Lickle Valley, with the Duddon Estuary beyondApproaching Natty BridgeNatty Bridge spans quite a drop - Tess didn't like it one little bit!Into the forestLooking back towards White Pike - what a contrast to the dismal weather earlier in the day!The forest track passes through some majestic larch trees - we were glad of the shade!We stopped for our lunch on the banks of Appletree Worth Beck, just below the narrow stone footbridge. A delightful place to sit and relax - I couldn't resist taking my boots off and cooling my sweltering feet in the water.
The narrow stone bridge at Appletree Worth - a delightful spotFrom here it was only a short amble of a mile back to the car, through shady woods and along quiet Hummers Lane. 7 miles or so in all.