Sat 30 Jul 2016
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Summit, Hooker Crag, in 2011
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Andrew and I drove to the fell on a rather dull but dry day. I didn't take many photos because it was my second visit and the weather in 2011 had been brighter; so some of the photos here were taken in 2011.
It's a pleasant and easy walk up the lane from the A595 from Muncaster Castle. It's a lovely surprise when the picturesque tarn is revealed because Wainwright refers to it only in passing.
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The tarn on Muncaster Fell
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We passed on and reached the open fell and made for the summit, which, strictly speaking, is named Hooker Crag. The usual ritual proclaiming success was carried out but it being too early for lunch we continued on over the fell.
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Hooker Crag 30 Jul 2016
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A slight diversion from the path leads to Ross's Camp. Supposedly a Victorian shooting party's spontaneously erected dining table, it may be the world's first example of self-assembly furniture!
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Ross's Camp
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The table
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As we approached a narrow gateway we met a group of Asian children sampling the joys of fell-walking and learning how to avoid boggy areas! We were advised to keep to the left by the wall.
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The terraced path
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A little further on we came to a terraced path supported by a stone-built bank. Who took the trouble to build this in such an out-of-the-way place? Another of Ross's enterprises? It is a pleasant rising path and we stopped soon after to eat our refreshments.
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Rowans (Mountain Ash)
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Berries in profusion
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We next came across many rowan trees heavy with huge numbers of large bright berries, more than I have ever seen before. I hope they show up in the photos: I am red-green colour blind so I'm not sure!
Once the far end of the fell was reached AW's 'pleasant wooded miles' along the lower lane is rather tedious with few views. But Andrew spotted on the map the site of a Roman kiln. Unfortunately it hasn't been maintained for many years, and the only visible evidence was the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works notice announcing it was a site of National Importance!
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Site of Roman kiln. (Where?)
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Neglected notice about a neglected site
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A steep rising path leads past the Henry VI monument, a three-storeyed octagonal tower probably built in the 18th century. It is said to mark the place where shepherds found the deranged king wandering the fells after the battle of Towton in 1461. There is no sign indicating it, nor any public access.
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Henry VI monument
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View north from Muncaster Fell
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Soon the outward track was regained near the tarn and a left turn took us down to the car. It was a pity the weather wasn't as good on this occasion as on my earlier visit, but we had an interesting walk nevertheless.
* http://www.visitcumbria.com/wc/muncaster-monument
