Walking Forum
Regions - Trip reports, destination advice, recommended routes, etc. => Rest of England => Topic started by: karl h on 12:40:26, 10/01/21
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With lockdown 3 in full effect it's back to walks from the front door although on a day like today that's definitely no hardship.
(http://www.karlswalks.co.uk/2021/images/greathill-09-01-21/P1150540.jpg)
Crossing the dam of the part frozen Belmont reservoir. We seemed to be really lucky with the weather as we were in bright sunshine whilst all around us were clouds.
(http://www.karlswalks.co.uk/2021/images/greathill-09-01-21/P1150542.jpg)
Looking back to Winter Hill with Belmont Village nestled below.
(http://www.karlswalks.co.uk/2021/images/greathill-09-01-21/P1150550.jpg)
Across the reservoir Spitler's Edge looks very nice in it's winter coat.
(http://www.karlswalks.co.uk/2021/images/greathill-09-01-21/P1150551.jpg)
Leftover Turkeys at Higher Pasture House.
(http://www.karlswalks.co.uk/2021/images/greathill-09-01-21/P1150557.jpg)
Heading along Catherine Edge, which by coincidence was the name of one of my school teachers :-)
(http://www.karlswalks.co.uk/2021/images/greathill-09-01-21/P1150558.jpg)
The view back to Winter Hill from Catherine Edge.
(http://www.karlswalks.co.uk/2021/images/greathill-09-01-21/P1150575.jpg)
Plenty of people had been sledging on the hill below Conyries Plantation.
(http://www.karlswalks.co.uk/2021/images/greathill-09-01-21/P1150578.jpg)
The snow on the trees by the narrow path to Hollingshead hall was so soft and fluffy it reminded us of candy floss.
(http://www.karlswalks.co.uk/2021/images/greathill-09-01-21/P1150582.jpg)
Heading for Great Hill, we diverted off the main path to have our sandwiches at the ruins of Pimms farm which is by the trees.
.(http://www.karlswalks.co.uk/2021/images/greathill-09-01-21/P1150591.jpg)
looking back to Darwen Moor from Pimms.
(http://www.karlswalks.co.uk/2021/images/greathill-09-01-21/P1150584.jpg)
The low winter sun looks great on the snow covered tussocks.
(http://www.karlswalks.co.uk/2021/images/greathill-09-01-21/P1150592.jpg)
Sandwiches eaten we start on the last little climb to Great Hill.
(http://www.karlswalks.co.uk/2021/images/greathill-09-01-21/P1150598.jpg)
On the climb an archetypical Lancashire comedian greeted me with " alreet cocker, we in thArctic yet ?" This Looking north across the frozen wastes to ..er.. Preston. ;D
(http://www.karlswalks.co.uk/2021/images/greathill-09-01-21/P1150600.jpg)
Although if you were blindfolded and dropped here you wouldn't think you were on the Lancashire moorland 1200ft above sea level and about a mile from a main road.
(http://www.karlswalks.co.uk/2021/images/greathill-09-01-21/P1150605.jpg)
We have lost the sun now and it was an eerie walk across the moorland in absolute silence. Fortunately the slab path could still be followed.
(http://www.karlswalks.co.uk/2021/images/greathill-09-01-21/P1150607.jpg)
The sun did try to make a comeback for a few minutes.
(http://www.karlswalks.co.uk/2021/images/greathill-09-01-21/P1150609.jpg)
Snowy wall by the path.
(http://www.karlswalks.co.uk/2021/images/greathill-09-01-21/P1150613.jpg)
Winter Hill did clear for a few minutes but as we reached Rivington road the day became a lot duller.
(http://www.karlswalks.co.uk/2021/images/greathill-09-01-21/P1150614.jpg)
The road has been closed to traffic ( although it looks like some people have ignored the closure ) so just for the novelty we walked on it back down the hill to Belmont ( it's much too dangerous to do this when it's open )
Our route was - Belmont - Higher Pasture House - Catherine Edge - Hollingshead Hall - Pimms - Great Hill - Redmond's Edge - Spitler's Edge - Horden Stoops - Rivington Rd - Belmont ( about 8 miles )
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Very lovely indeed. Catherine Edge looks superb .! O0
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Well you are very lucky to have this walk on your doorstep .
And the scenery of the beautiful Lancs moorland what a gorgeous view .
Lovely photos
Great report of the walk ,on a bright clear day .
Glad you enjoyed it .
Thanks for sharing O0
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Lovely pics of what looks like a lovely walk. O0
Lots of frost here but still no snow.
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Lovely pics Karl O0
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Lovely pictures and it looks fairly quiet which is a bonus.
How busy was it over Spittlers Edge and on Great Hill ??
It's a few weeks since we've been over Anglezarke, White Coppice and Leads Mine Clough etc etc but those pics certainly wet the appetite.
Thanks for sharing the pics by the way, the snow and blue sky look amazing
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Thank you everyone O0
We are so lucky to have the moors on our doorstep :)
Lovely pictures and it looks fairly quiet which is a bonus.
How busy was it over Spittlers Edge and on Great Hill ??
It's a few weeks since we've been over Anglezarke, White Coppice and Leads Mine Clough etc etc but those pics certainly wet the appetite.
Thanks for sharing the pics by the way, the snow and blue sky look amazing
Thanks Rivingtboots O0
There were as you'd expect quite a few folk about in the glorious weather. Great Hill was busy but mostly people climbing up from and back to White Coppice, very few went along Spitler's
We nearly went to Lead Mines but changed our minds as we hadn't been to Great Hill for a while. Some pics from our recent trips over to the Anglezarke side of the moor HERE (http://www.karlswalks.co.uk/2020/roundloaf-22-11-2020.html)
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Thank you everyone O0
We are so lucky to have the moors on our doorstep :)
Thanks Rivingtboots O0
There were as you'd expect quite a few folk about in the glorious weather. Great Hill was busy but mostly people climbing up from and back to White Coppice, very few went along Spitler's
We nearly went to Lead Mines but changed our minds as we hadn't been to Great Hill for a while. Some pics from our recent trips over to the Anglezarke side of the moor HERE (http://www.karlswalks.co.uk/2020/roundloaf-22-11-2020.html)
I bet there were a lot of people parked in White Coppice ??
I went up to Rivington Pike and both barns this week but wouldn't entertain the area at the weekend.
I haven't been up Great Hill either for a while, or Spittlers Edge for that matter.
Is it Belnont or Chorley that you live ?? I'm in Horwich btw
Some lovely colours in your other pics O0
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I bet there were a lot of people parked in White Coppice ??
I went up to Rivington Pike and both barns this week but wouldn't entertain the area at the weekend.
I haven't been up Great Hill either for a while, or Spittlers Edge for that matter.
Is it Belnont or Chorley that you live ?? I'm in Horwich btw
Some lovely colours in your other pics O0
I should imagine White Coppice was packed it usually is ;)
We went to Rivington last weekend ( i forgot to charge my camera battery ) We passed on climbing the Pike and fought our way through the crowds surrounding the new cafe near the dog hotel up to Two lads and back to Belmont via the mast.
I live just outside Darwen and my walking pal Sue lives in Belmont. ;)
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The snack shack aka Dudleys aka the dog hotel has been open all through lockdown, they must be minted.
The Black Dog in Belmont is one of the best country pubs in the area and I really miss it.
My wife's nephew lives in Darwen (near the cemetery) and he recently sent me a pic of a pound shop sled grave yard 🤣 there must have been 50 piled up.
He avoids Darwen Tower at the weekend the way we avoid the Pike.
How deep was the snow near Great Hill, Horden Stoops etc etc as it looks fairly deep and very pictouresqe6
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Nice one karl - blue sky and snow covered hills, just the tonic on a dull and damp day.
Good to see you and Sue getting out and about O0
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How deep was the snow near Great Hill, Horden Stoops etc etc as it looks fairly deep and very pictouresqe6
It was a few inches in most places with drifts well over a foot. The snow was still part frozen on the tops which helped as it covered up the bogs and holes making walking a bit easier
Nice one karl - blue sky and snow covered hills, just the tonic on a dull and damp day.
Good to see you and Sue getting out and about O0
Cheers Kev O0
We will have to have a ride over to the dark side for a visit when allowed :)
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Brilliant snowy vistas there by any measure, let alone right from the door O0
All the snow has gone now from the flatlands of south Manchester.
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Your photos certainly brightened up the day... very blue!
Thanks Karl
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We will have to have a ride over to the dark side for a visit when allowed :)
The dark side is always pleased to welcome visitors from another planet 8)
It would be good to have a meet up and swap tales of, well in my case not blooming much over the last couple of years :)
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Lovely pics Karl - very envious! The tiny bit of snow at sea level melted to grey slush very quickly and then attached itself to my dogs.
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Thank you, Paul, Dodgylegs and VG O0
Snow has all gone here now. back to freezing rain and low cloud :(
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Lovely photos Karl. The moors look great under a mantle of snow.
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Lovely photos Karl. The moors look great under a mantle of snow.
Cheers Richard O0 and the frozen snow made for a lot easier going as well :)
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I missed this one whilst I was sulking with the forum ;D
That looks absolutely fabulous. Once again, I'm really jealous.
Thanks for posting (said through gritted teeth :D )
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I missed this one whilst I was sulking with the forum ;D
That looks absolutely fabulous. Once again, I'm really jealous.
Thanks for posting (said through gritted teeth :D )
Thanks Mel O0
It was a glorious day and we felt so lucky that we could walk it straight from our doorsteps but at the same time we were a little sad thinking about what a day it would have been on the high fells :(