Sunday, 10th January 2010

 

Walk: Witton Weavers Way, Top o' th' Brow, Duckshaw Clough, Darwen Moor, Darwen Hill, Jubilee Tower, Sunnyhurst Wood, Tockholes Plantations
Start Point: Car park just off Belmont Road Grid Ref: SD 665 190
Distance: 10 miles Ascent: 2,370 feet
Weather: A dry day with lots of snow underfoot, some sunny spells and a cold wind on the moor
Accompanied by:

Phil, Eric, Karen and Ian

Comments: As the group walk in the Lake District was cancelled due to severe weather conditions, some of the Chorley contingent decided tackle The Tacklers Trail, a route found on the West Pennine Moors website. Suitably bundled in layers of clothing we set off along the Witton Weavers Way to walk through the Cadshaw Valley where 200 people lived and worked in the 19th century, before the land was taken over by Liverpool Corporation for water supply works. Walking here was reasonably easy as others had already walked on the track. Leaving the main track to head up onto the moor, it seemed a shame to make tracks in the pristine snow which, at this point wasn't much more than ankle deep. Numerous stops were needed to capture the scenes of a 'winter wonderland'. Making our way higher up onto the moor it was impossible to see any signs of a footpath and the higher we went, the deeper the snow got. Fortunately the loose, dry snow meant that walking was not too difficult even when we were sinking in up to our knees - and beyond! Eventually we rejoined the Witton Weavers Way and walking was much easier - but not as much fun! The cold wind made its presence felt as we stopped at Jubilee Tower for our lunch break, and we quickly headed down to Sunnyhurst Wood and a different 'Winter Wonderland' of snow laden trees. Leaving the woodland behind we crossed over to the Tockholes Plantations and back to the car.  Everyone agreed that it had been a great day.

 

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

Come on Eric - haven't you got enough layers on yet?

 

Ready to start, we leave a snow covered car park . . .

 

and follow the Witton Weavers Way through the Cadshaw Valley

 

The masts on the appropriately named Winter Hill can just be seen

 

The spindrift on the ridge . . .

 

is quite spectacular . . .

 

but the covering of snow on the stiles make life a little more difficult

 

There are great views in all directions . . .

 

and the sun adds to the scene . . .

 

as Phil takes a photo . . .

 

of some very wise sheep

 

Another flock of sheep enjoy their winter fodder . . .

 

but one decides that hay bales are for standing on as well as for eating

 

Light and shade highlight the vehicle tracks . . .

 

and Ian shows the way as the snow deepens

 

Seats in the snow - as we clear grassy areas to enjoy our morning break

 

Setting off again the snow is getting deeper . . .

 

and deeper!

 

Back on a well-walked path the snow has really banked up on the right . . .

 

and the views continue to impress

 

Looking over the frozen Sunnyhurst Hey reservoir the 'snowless' area is Blackburn

 

Arriving at Jubilee Tower . . .

 

we shelter from the cold wind . . .

 

to eat lunch . . .

 

before a group shot at the trig point

 

Looking back up our route of descent the snow has banked up by the fence

 

By the Lych Gate we meet a group intent on some skiing . . .

 

and this gentleman has found a novel way of getting to the pub

 

More picturesque scenes . . .

 

in Sunnyhurst Wood . . .

 

and the bandstand looks very different to the last time we were here

 

Earnsdale Reservoir is completely frozen - note the footprints at the lower right hand corner!

 

Time to regroup before we head off before  following the bridleway . . .

 

and meet 'Old Blue Eyes' . . .

 

and his frisky companion . . .

 

who poses for the camera

 

Don't slam that door!

 

Making our way through Tockholes Plantations . . .

 

another 'Winter Wonderland'

 

Who brought the sledge?

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