A circuit  from Grasmere

Helm Crag, Gibson Knott, Calf Crag & Tarn Crag.

10.5miles 2750ft

Leaving Grasmere behind with Helm Crag today's first climb ahead

Looking across Easedale to Sour Milk Gill water falls

This Robin seemed to be following me hoping to be fed!

Nearing the summit with a view back to Grasmere

There are two distinctive rocky outcrops on the summit, 'The Lion & the Lamb' seen here at the South summit....

....and 'The Howitzer' here at the North summit.

I've been up Helm Crag many times but this was the first time I had it completely to myself!

Looking ahead to Gibson Knott & Calf Crag....

The Dunmail Raise pass from Gibson Knott 

 There was not a breath of wind today as the mist rose out of the valleys

Calf Crag summit

An unamed little tarn as I continued to Tarn Crag

Looking back to Calf Crag

Nearing the summit of Tarn Crag....

....and then the summit cairn

Lunch time looking down on Easedale Tarn

Descending the broad ridge leading down to....

....Easedale Tarn

Arriving on the shoreline and....

....looking back to Tarn Crag 

Finally descending beside Sour Milk Gill water falls as I walked down Easedale back into Grasmere.

A great day's walking without sunshine but made up for by the atmospheric conditions producing the misty clouds rising out of the valleys

 Wythburn to Grange Bridge 

via Ullscarth fell

10.5miles 2350ft

Setting off from Wythburn at the southern end of Thirlmere. On the horizon is the northern Wythburn ridge which my route to day will follow

Gaining height as I climb towards Harrop tarn

Arriving at Harrop tarn....

....and again

Looking down to Wythburn as I start out along the ridge

Looking north up Thirlmere, Blencathra on the horizon

The sun climbs above Fairfield

Grisedale hause and Fairfield again

Helm crag with Windermere on the horizon

The clarity of the air today was amazing. When I arrived here at Ullscarf summit 2328ft whilst by no means the highest fell in Lakes it still afforded a wonderful 360 degree panorama of fells. Here we see the Scafells and Great End

Great Gable (left) & Pillar (Right)

Fleetwith pike & Honister pass in foreground with the Buttermere fells behind

I began the descent to Borrowdale over High Saddle with Derwent water & Bassenthwaite on the horizon....

.....and Honister pass climbing up from Seatoller below

Approaching Dock tarn

A lovely place for a cup of coffee & biscuits!

On the descent to Borrowdale Watendlath tarn came into view....

....and again....

....before descending through the woods to....

....the river Derwent....

....and my final destination Grange Bridge

Today was a truly fantastic day's walking in the Lakes.

I only climbed one significant summit but nevertheless the views from the central location of Ullscarf were spectacular!!!

Lake & Tarn Bagging!!

No summits today, the walk this week  visits 6 lakes or tarns

13miles 2500ft

Starting from Ambleside I walked down to Windermere lake shore at Waterhead....

....and continued along the shore towards Borran's Park....

.....before starting the climb up Loughrigg fell with a view down to Holy Trinity church Brathay

Cloud was rapidly rising off the summits but these were not for me today

About halfway up Loughrigg fell is Lily tarn, a little too late in summer to see the beautiful blooming lilies, but the eastern early morning sky was very nice

Taking a circuit of the little tarn....

....before climbing a little higher for a view to Crinkle Crags

My route then took me down towards Skelwith Bridge to pass round....

Loughrigg tarn from where....

....there is a great view of the Langdale fells 

Another short climb took me to the eastern side of Loughrigg fell....

....with views to more summits still in cloud but of no consequence for me today....!

 

....as I descended to the shore of Rydal Water my 4th of the day 

Looking across the lake to Rydal Cottage

I then followed the river Rothay upstream to.... 

Grasmere with the village at the northern end

The shoreline here seemed an excellent place to stop for  lunch....

....watching the ducks

Leaving Grasmere behind I crossed the main road to Keswick passing the very nice Swan hotel....

....to climb up Greenhead Gill....

....looking down on Grasmere before..... 

arriving at Alcock tarn, my 6th and last tarn or lake of the day

 ....with a view down to Windermere my 1st of the day

 On my final descent I paused by a little pond and got my insect photo of the week.... this Water boatman

I expected damp & rainy start to the day but was delighted with as good a day as I've had all summer. This was also a delightful walk requiring rather less effort than a walk over the high fells!