Kendal to Staveley 10km run

A 10-11km run from Kendal station to Staveley station (taking a shortcut to fit in with the Sunday train timetables).

Route: taking the train to Kendal and running along Sandes Avenue and Maude Street, across Noble’s Rest to cross Low Fellside, Serpentine Road and Queen’s Road up Stoney Lane and then along the Tram Way to Cunswick Scar but turning left and west before the summit to descend to Cunswick Tarn then to Fell Gate and Capplerigg Lane. Across the Crook Road and then north on damp paths past Knott Hill and Ashes to Staveley.

Conditions: initially rather grey and uninspiring but mild, giving way to two periods of rain and the odd burst of sunshine.

Pub: The Eagle and Child, Staveley, for Corby Blonde and Keswick Brewing Company Keswick Gold and a light lunch.

Sale Fell

A surprisingly fine 10km run on the way home to return a hire car before its pumpkin hour.

Route: leaving the (hire) car near the Pheasant Inn and running along the road towards Wythop Mill, discovering that footpaths on Forestry Commission land were closed and hence quickly re-planning, passing through Routenbeck to turn right down a poorly marked set of footpaths past Rigg and East House to regain the road at Wadcrag. Along the road for a couple of kilometers past Wythop Mill to Brunston Bridge and then nearly as far as Kelswick before turning almost 180 degrees to follow a clear path to gain the end of the ridge and then in a combination of running and walking, gaining the summit. Heading east to Lothwaite and then descending on a large clear grassy path between bracken to close to the church between Routenbeck and Wythop Mill and then almost entirely down hill to the start.

Conditions: some sun and cloud but with a cold north easterly wind on the summit.

Pub: the Pheasant Inn, Bassenthwaite, for Cumbrian Legendary Ales Loweswater Gold and Coniston Bluebird.

Rannerdale Knotts

A 9km evening walk after the crowds had gone home.

Route: leaving the car at the first car park on the left (heading south) underneath Grasmoor and walking along the clear track to Rannerdale to reach the footbridge to cross the stream and return to the pitched path from the road up Rannerdale Knotts. Along the summit ridge, meeting only two people, to descend into Buttermere and to the Bridge Hotel for a beer. Afterwards, taking a wet, but this time happily not actually flooded, path behind the campsite to reach the shore of Crummock Water and thence the rising path over the lower shoulder of Rannerdale Knotts and then along the road to the car as the light departed.

Conditions: still, warm evening sunshine and views long beyond the Solway

Pub: the Bridge Hotel, Buttermere, for Jennings Cocker Hoop

Last 10km of the Dales Way run

A run back along the last 10km of the Dales Way (well, from the station) covering much of this ground for the first time since 1987.

Route: leaving Windermere station and heading through Lakeland's carpark to the road behind, running steeply up it to the A591 and along this, east for 100m to a footpath across damp fields to cross the railway. Then through housing following an intuitive line to join a tarmac track and following this across a number of streams, ignoring left turns up School Knott to join a stony track ascending onto higher ground. At an obvious junction bending left signed to Hagg End and gaining higher ground. Then turning half right at a subtle sign to reach a high-point with views back to the central fells. Descending to cross through Hagg End, turn right on a road and then the second left path at Outrun Nook eventually reaching and joining a familiar road. Descending and then steeply re-ascending before descending via a path to the left into Staveley.

Conditions: surprisingly warm after a cool and very wet start to the day.

Pub: the Hawkshead Brewery Beer Hall, Staveley, for Hawkshead WPA, Session IPA and lunch before a train home.

Lost Lake

A walk with James to the wrong lake caused by an early navigation error.

Route: leaving the car at the Park and Ride carpark in Nederland and taking the free shuttle bus to Hessie Trailhead. Proceeding along a broad stony track to a further trailhead and then gradually rising with the valley before eventually arriving at Lost Lake. After circumnavigating the lake on small paths, descending the same way with rain arriving as we waited for the return shuttle.

Conditions: initially hot and sunny giving way to rain at the very end of the walk with some thunder.

Pub: the Very Nice Brewing Company for Very Nice, Logical Fallacy (stout) with and without espresso shot and Royal We IPA. Afterwards, taking a ride on the Carousel of Happiness.

Pawnee Peak

A planned 16km linear walk to a 12,943ft summit, extended to 20km because the trail head carpark was full.

Route: leaving the car at the Brainard Lake carpark because the Long Lake carpark was already full at 10:30am (on a Friday) and thus walking by the lake and then on paths to the Long Lake trailhead. Taking the Pawnee Pass Trail through a forest of spruce and pine on soft ground with initial views of Long Lake. Turning right to spurn the Jean Lunning Trail and slowly gaining ground with occasional views into the head of the valley. At some altitude above Lake Isabelle ignoring the trail onwards and turning right to climb increasingly out of the trees, on rockier ground and in a series of switchbacks to reach a first shoulder, a bare rocky plateau, with fine views of surrounding mountains. On a second set of zigzags gaining the next shoulder and then gradually ascending to a sign marking Pawnee Pass. Here finding a faint path with some cairns to climb the gentle slop of Pawnee Peak with mercifully no false summits. Descending the same way with dark clouds ahead but no rain experienced.

Conditions: For the first half of the day, sun and blue skies though not too hot. On the descent, darker clouds and evidence of rain and even hail near the trailhead.

Critters: seen: chipmunks, marmots, squirrels and a bluebird; (heard but not seen) pikas - lots of

Pub: the Upslope Brewery at Lee Hill Drive, for Upslope Yuzu Zest IPA, India Pale Ale and nachos with both hot green sauce and salsa.

Blue Lake

A 10km high altitude valley walk to a lake (11,338ft) surrounded by rock scenery.

Route: leaving the car again at the Mitchell Lake carpark (the previous $11 per car to enter the park covering 3 days). Taking the Mitchell Lake Trail and slowly ascending an easy path through trees with views to left and right of small lakes, climbing to an area of less vegetation with views of the broader rocky valley and eventually arriving at the foot of Blue Lake. Following a smaller track continuing round the lake counter-clockwise to an outcrop at the far end looking back over the lake and then a little further beyond to the next tarn up the valley. Seeing no continuing trail round the lake, retracing our steps.

Conditions: initial blue skies and sun, though cool at 10,000ft but, on the descent, cloud and rain coming in and on the drive back: hail.

Critters: (seen) deer on the drive in in Lefthand Canyon, chipmunks and a big brown moose grazing beside the road on the drive out, just by Brainard Lake; (heard but not seen) marmots

Pub: the Asher Brewery, Gunbarrel (Boulder), for Tree Hugger Amber and Green Bullet IPA (and crisps!). The Avery Brewery, Gunbarrel, for Go Play IPA, Avery IPA, Double Dry-Hopped IPA, and Hog Heaven Imperial Red IPA and giant pretzel with nacho cheese sauce.