(For a full index of the walks, please click here)
 |
RW Path to Musbury Heights |
It being almost three weeks since our walk on Wild Boar Fell, and the weather being sunny and dry, although very cold, I thought a short visit to Clough Head café followed by a walk over Musbury Heights would be a good idea. I have been meaning to try and do something to help drain the muddy area around Rushy Leach so that there is a dry path for walkers on the Rossendale Way.
After checking that the corrected signposts are still pointing the RW up the hill, I walked north towards the west end of Calf Hey Reservoir intending to make a circuit and return to the car park.
 |
Very old gateposts on the RW |
It was good to see that many of the RW way markers have also been updated along the path, but I noticed that the one on a post at the site of the former Clough Side farm was leaning ready to fall. I found a stone from along the track which leads up into the wood by a gully and used it to stabilise the post.
Looking at one of the nineteenth century OS maps of this area it is clear there were many buildings, old farms, on the hillsides above the valley, and there is a mistake, copied on the modern map, showing the RW between Grane Head and Top o' th' Knoll as a staight line. This time of year is not the best for following up these interesting anomalies, but one day when the sun is shining and it's possible to lie back on the dry grass while having a snack I'll have a go!
 |
The ponds on Hog Low Clough stream |
I also found that the lower part of Hog Lowe Clough has been cleared to show the three pools and waterfalls just above the reservoir-side path.
 |
A pleasant spot - on a sunny summer's day |
I walked along by Calf Hey Reservoir, crossed the dam and then made my way up to Clough Head car park, where a large group of army cadets had been on exercises.
