 Two walkers on Calfhow Pike Above the upper gorge of Mill Gill the path became very vague but I followed a line which led over several very minor rocky outcrops. Eventually, the one significant feature of the ascent, a solitary cairn, comes into view. This must have been built by shepherds although possibly not from necessity - rather because there happens to be loose rock on the ground and it might as well be put to use. Mark Richards and Wainwright show the route passing over Little Dodd (a shoulder of Great Dodd) but I aimed to the right of Little Dodd to cross the main Dodds ridge path at Millgill Head. From there it was just a five minute walk to Great Dodd summit shelter. We were lucky and had the shelter to ourselves for lunch as the wind whistled (very noisily) overhead. Then a big group of walkers arrived from Dockray just as we vacated it. Then to the summit cairn and down to Calfhow Pike. From Calfhow Pike it is not easy at first to spot the direction to bring you to the sheepfold at the top of Beckthorns Rib. But, in clear weather, aim for the gap of Whinlatter Pass (between Grisedale Pike and Whinlatter Fell) and the sheepfold will be reached after ten minutes or so. The fold is right at the top of the peat track down to Fornside. There are great views of Beckthorns Gill and over St Johns in the Vale. Soon Fornside came in sight marking the end of an interesting and enjoyable walk. Conclusion: I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the route by Mill Gill. I expected good views and I got them. But I expected the route to be steeper than it was and was happy to find that it was quite pleasant walking on short springy turf and with a good level of interest until I left the upper gorge behind. It could be used as a descent route by finding Millgill Head and following the north side of the gill down past the cairn staying a hundred yards or so to the right of the gill until a path is picked up near the upper gorge. I doubt if Millgill gets more than one or two ascents per month. The route down to Fornside gets maybe one or two ascents a week and even fewer descents. Despite this lack of traffic, the paths are generally good underfoot with no heather and only bracken along the intake wall. All in all an enjoyable and unusual expedition lasting nearly 4 hours including a long lunch stop. I started and finished at Fornside but the general public could equally well start and finish at the United Utilities Legburthwaite carpark and join the route at the bottom of Mill Gill by Castle Rock. http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/561470745NTqlJj |
