Yes Tor and High Willhays

When you start walking hills and mountains, it is always the highest places that draw you in. South of the Peak District the highest is High Willhays and today was the day for us to attempt an ascent. The weather did its best to put us off but we made it round without too many problems and the walk back along the West Okement River was lovely.

Start – Meldon Reservoir
Route – Meldon ReservoirLongstone HillYes TorHampster TorHigh WillhaysFordsland LedgeBlack TorWest Okement WeirMeldon Reservoir
Distance – 5 1/2miles     Start time – 11am     Time taken – 4 1/2hrs    Highest Point – High Willhays 621m
Weather – Overcast and the tops in cloud, brightened a little on the walk back
© Crown copyright 2014 Ordnance Survey FL 2014 SF

© Crown copyright 2014 Ordnance Survey FL 2014 SF

Hazy looking Meldon Reservoir at the start of the walk

Hazy looking Meldon Reservoir at the start of the walk

Looking the other way to Meldon Viaduct

Looking the other way to Meldon Viaduct

Meldon Dam

Meldon Dam

Starting the climb up Longstone Hill looking along Meldon Reservoir

Starting the climb up Longstone Hill looking along Meldon Reservoir

Yes Tor on the left as we head up the track over Longstone Hill

Yes Tor on the left as we head up the track over Longstone Hill

Photo bomb with Yes Tor behind!!

Photo bomb with Yes Tor behind!!

Murky view to the Corn Ridge left and Sourton Tor

Murky view to the Corn Ridge left and Sourton Tor

Yes Tor summit

Yes Tor summit, cloud has come right down now

Clouds parted briefly to give a view down to West Mill Tor

Clouds parted briefly to give a view down to West Mill Tor

High Willhays appears from the clag

High Willhays appears from the clag

High Willhays summit

High Willhays summit

Fordsland Ledge observation post

Fordsland Ledge observation post

Looking down on Black Tor as we come out of the cloud

Looking down on Black Tor as we come out of the cloud

Looking back as Fordsland Ledge clears a little

Looking back as Fordsland Ledge clears a little

Black Tor

Black Tor, there are 3 stacks of granite here making up a lovely tor

Heading for the trees down beside the West Okement River

Heading for the trees down beside the West Okement River

A look back up to Black Tor

A look back up to Black Tor

Following the West Okement River

Following the West Okement River into Vellake Corner

West Okement weir

West Okement weir

Meldon Reservoir

Meldon Reservoir

Last look along the reservoir

Last look along the reservoir from the dam end as we head to the car park