Sunday, 10th April 2011

 

Walk: Embsay, Eastby Gate, Upper Barden Reservoir, Burnsall & Thorpe Fell, Cracoe Obelisk, Rylstone Cross, Crookrise Crag Top, Embsay Reservoir
Start Point: Embsay car park Grid Ref: SE 009 538
Distance: 12.1 miles Ascent: 2,000 feet
Weather: Sunny all day with very little breeze
Accompanied by:

9 members of the group, led by Ray

Comments: Having done this route previously in mist it was good to see all the sights. The walking was mainly on shooting tracks and field paths, with some rocky sections in between. Ray set a brisk pace as we enjoyed the good weather and identified surrounding hills and villages. hearing a loud drumming sound above us we managed to see a Great Spotted Woodpecker but couldn't capture it on camera. Later in the day I was fortunate to get a shot of a well-camouflaged lizard scurrying through the undergrowth.
Check out the previous walk on 20th January 2008 to  see the contrast in the conditions.

 

Scroll down to see photos of the walk

The weather looks promising as we gather in the car park . . .

 

and head onto the moors past the grouse butts

 

A couple of Canada Geese enjoy the sun . . .

 

on Upper Barden Reservoir

 

A well-tended house - in the middle of nowhere!

 

A coffee stop is taken next to an unnamed reservoir . . .

 

with its own overflow

 

Cracoe Obelisk - War Memorial . . .

 

with great views down to Cracoe . . .

 

and a prominent lookout post for John and Tony

 

Then it's off to Rylstone Cross . . .

 

spotting a lizard along the way

 

Rylstone Cross which was, evidently, erected to commemorate Waterloo and used to bear the date 1815 in large and clear figures . . .

 

but was replaced by the present cross in 1995

 

Looking back to the Cracoe Obelisk

 

The rocks around the cross provide the perfect spot for lunch . . .

 

and John finds the best vantage point - again!

 

Crookrise Crag Top . . .

 

where Tony takes it easy . . .

 

and John inspects the rocks . . .

 

Continuing on . . .

 

we make our way down to . . .

 

Embsay Reservoir

 

Jacob Sheep

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