The final walk of a week in the Lakes was up a fairly simple fell on the side of Thirlmere which takes me to 89 Wainwrights done. The tracks heading up through the woods are steep but the distance is pretty short and it doesn’t take much more than 90 minutes to get up and down. The autumn colours were nice in amongst the trees and once half way up the views across the Great Dodd begin to show. The prize though is saved for the summit, a new wooden platform area has been created up there and it gives you the finest of views south along Thirlmere to Dunmail Raise, with Helvellyn sitting high on the other side of the water. The view north isn’t bad either with Blencathra and Clough Head dominating, if you head past the platform and down to the grassy edge you can peer down to the dam at the end of Thirlmere. I have to say this is a simple walk for a day with less than ideal weather or you just fancy just a couple of hours on the fells. Go on a Thursday and hopefully like me you’ll catch a tornado jet flying through the valley below you!! Awesome sight. The last few pictures are on the last day and a quick visit to Castlerigg stone circle before the drive south.

© Crown copyright 2016 Ordnance Survey FL 2016 SF

Thirlmere with the cloud down on Browncove Crags and Helvellyn across the water

A number of the tracks are closed for tree felling, this ascent crossed one of those and gave a glimpse up to Raven Crag

From a little higher a side on view

Through the autumn colours to Great Dodd

Thirlmere from the summit of Raven Crag

Looking the other way to Blencathra behind the trees and Clough Head to the right

Looking down to the dam from the edge of the crag

From this spot you get an unobstructed view to Blencathra as well

Ullscarf up on the right, Dunmail Raise is the dip at the far end of Thirlmere

This fella then made his presence known to all in the valley as he screamed through!!

Turning sharply at the end of the valley to head over Keswick

Time to head back down and just after leaving the summit and heading down the new steps you get this view to Skiddaw

Great Dodd again

On the track out of the forest before a short walk along the road to the car park

Having packed the car one last stop off at Castlerigg Stone circle before hitting the M6

Blencathra behind the circle

Moody clouds, silhouetted fells and the stone circle