Helm Crag (405m), Gibson Knott (420m), Calf Crag (537m), Tarn Crag (550m) - 10/05/2019
Distance: 14km; Ascent ~600m; Time 6h
Unfortunately parking fees are unavoidable in Grasmere (£6 for 6 hours). A public footpath, signed to Easedale Tarn, takes you to Lancrigg. This is now a hotel but was once a property of William Wordsworth. The path to Helm Crag passes through the hotel grounds and is well signed until you leave the property. A good path leads steeply up to the summit of Helm Crag. From here the ridge walk via Gibson Knott to Calf Crag is straightforward. From here the main options are to continue on to High Raise or to return along a clear path down the Far Easedale Valley. There is not a clear path to Tarn Crag, and since it cannot be seen until you have ascended part way up Codale Head it is not obvious where to leave the path. I did ascend part-way up Codale Head and once I had identified Tarn Crag I retraced my steps to a couple of small tarns and then headed east. In this pathless section it is important not to descend too low to the north or you will come either to the deep gully between Broadstone Head and Ferngill Crag or to the edge of Ferngill Crag - either way you would need to re-ascend. After 3-400m I found a path which led to the Summit of Tarn Crag. From this approach it doesn't look like much of a hill, it is much more impressive on the descent side - which also gives good views of Easedale Tarn.
This was one of those days where I left Bampton Grange in clear blue skies and had lovely sunshine for the drive to Grasmere. By the time I had parked the clouds were coming and somewhere between Helm Crag and Gibson Knott it started to rain. Towards calf Crag this turned to very wet snow and the precipitation continued for about 2 hours. When I got back to the car for the drive home the sun came out again and it was a glorious evening!
This was one of those days where I left Bampton Grange in clear blue skies and had lovely sunshine for the drive to Grasmere. By the time I had parked the clouds were coming and somewhere between Helm Crag and Gibson Knott it started to rain. Towards calf Crag this turned to very wet snow and the precipitation continued for about 2 hours. When I got back to the car for the drive home the sun came out again and it was a glorious evening!
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