Monday March 10th

 Bleaklow Stones and Bleaklow Head

Another walk for David on his own today- a chilly and overcast day. Because the road down to the old Woodhead Station is now closed, I parked up at the Torside Car Park, even though there was space by the Woodhead Reservoir dam. Parking at Torside meant that I would get the boring walk along the Longdendale Trail over at the start of the walk, rather than having to trudge a mile or so at the end.

Although I passed a few dog walkers and a cyclist on the Longdendale Trail and saw a couple of hunters on the skyline above Far Black Clough, I didn't see anyone else during the entire walk. 

I reached the Bleaklow Stones in time for lunch.

Bleaklow Stones

It was quite chilly- my watch showed the temperature to be 7⁰ C:

After lunch, it was on to Bleaklow Head, spotting a mountain hare in winter white on the way. There was no need, today, to shore up the stake on the cairn.

Bleaklow Head cairn and stake

On the way down Torside Clough, I noticed an indicator for the Pennine Way that I'd not seen before, despite coming this way many times. I suspect that this was because it was at a junction where there's been a temporary diversion.

Hidden(?) Pennine Way direction arrow

On crossing Torside Clough at the end of the waterworks access path, there was a boulder with a display of lovely lichen.

Lichen (and moss) display

It was a relief to get back to the car without the tedious trudge along the Trans Pennine Trail all the way back to Woodhead.

A walk of 12.4 miles with 480m ascent.



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