Ullock Pike to Dodd – Ullock PIke, Long Side, Carl Side and Dodd

Ullock Pike, Long Side, Carl Side and Dodd

 


Walk Date – 5th September 2015

Distance – 6.5 miles

Weather – clear, dry, sunny with a cold north wind

 


Route

We go round the gate from the parking area to begin the walk up to Ullock Pike.

A steep and rather gloomy forest path to walk up before we are out on to the open fell side.

Out into the open again and a view across Bass Lake towards Barf and Lord’s Seat.

The high point on the skyline is Grisedale Pike, left of that is Crag Hill then Sail and then Scar Crags.

Across Bass Lake is Sale Fell and to the left of it is Ling Fell.

A panorama of fells across Bass Lake.

It was such a clear morning we could see the Solway Firth and the mountains beyond it. The clarity of the air came courtesy of the cold north wind blowing down from the Arctic, brrr.

On the ridge path to Ullock Pike and a look back at the view behind us.

From the ridge looking north west towards Great Cockup. The wind was very strong across here and it was a bit of a struggle to stay upright.

The fell all by itself over there in the centre is Binsey.

Here’s where we are heading, the dark pointed peak of Ullock Pike.

With the sun obscured there’s a chance to take a shot along Southerndale and the fells around it.

Struggling against the strong north wind and the glare of the sun as we continued the climb up Ullock Pike. In today’s conditions it was very difficult to see where we were going as our eyes were constantly watering thanks to the wind and being dazzled by the sun.

Higher up the path now and we can see more of Bass Lake.

Every fell was individually identifiable today as we looked across the flood plain of Bass Lake.

Almost at the top of Ullock Pike now with the summit of Long Side the next one along.

 Looking across Southerndale to the great bulk of Skiddaw on the left with Long Side over on the right.

From the summit cairn on Ullock Pike a view of Derwentwater and the surrounding fells.

On Ullock Pike.

Leaving Ullock Pike and making for the summit of Longside. It isn’t as steep as the path would make it seem. Lovely walking in warm sun and there’s no wind now that we are in the lee of Skiddaw.

Layers of fells and far too many to name, apart from the tree covered one at the bottom left which is Dodd.

From Longside Edge there is this impressive view of Skiddaw, it really is a great hulk of a mountain.

The summit cairn of Long Side with Skiddaw behind it, and Skiddaw Little Man over on the far right skyline.

From Long Side summit a look across to the north western end of Skiddaw.

On Long Side with Skiddaw behind.

Looking down Southerndale as we continue on to Carl Side.

Looking back at our route along the ridge.

Carl Side Tarn with the wind rippling its surface.

Carl Side summit with Long Side behind.

Layers of fells again from Carl Side summit.

Derwentwater in close up.

A panorama of fells in view as we descend Carl Side.

Descending Carl Side through heather in full bloom, the scent was just lovely.

Purple heather everywhere, set against the blue of the lake and the sky, and the greenery on Dodd.

Nearly down to Long Doors where we will cross over to climb to the top of Dodd.

We stopped at the first seat we came to on Dodd and had lunch with this as our view.

On our left is part of the path we used to descend Carl Side. Heather in bloom all over the fell sides.

Behind us is part of Carl Side, to the right, and on the skyline is Long Side.

After lunch we continue on up to Dodd summit. On the skyline behind us are the Dodds and the Helvellyn range.

The little pimple on the right skyline above Derwentwater is Pike O’Stickle, its not a little pimple when you are standing below it though.

Looking up at the summit of Dodd.

Looking over to Carl Side from Dodd summit.

I just about managed to get the whole of Bass Lake into the shot.

Looking over to Ullock Pike and Long Side from Dodd summit.

The flood plain of Bass Lake.

Its time to leave Dodd so straight down the front we go.

Believe it or not this is actually a path, overgrown doesn’t begin to describe it. People had walked it before us as we kept coming across discarded clothing on the way down, trainers, jogging pants, jacket, all soaking wet and muddy. We did begin to be a bit concerned about what else we might find but nothing else turned up. This wasn’t the path we were intending to take, we turned right just a little too soon, the one we really wanted was further down the ridge.

Looking very bedraggled we emerged on to a forestry trail, which, a little further down, gave us this view of Bass Lake through the trees.

Down from Dodd and crossing the bridge just above the Old Sawmill Tea Rooms.

The footbridge over Sandbeds Gill is just a few yards from the car park so here we finish our walk, which, apart from the unscheduled detour into the tangled forest, was extremely enjoyable.