Wild Ennerdale
“Ennerdale is a spectacular upland landscape with rock outcrops, extensive woodland, dynamic natural rivers, a glacial lake and highly valued flora & fauna. Established in 2003, Wild Ennerdale is a partnership of people and organisations led by the principal landowners in the valley, The Forestry Commission, National Trust and United Utilities with the support of Natural England.”
From the Wild Ennerdale Partnership Briefing Notes.
“To allow the evolution of Ennerdale as a wild valley for the benefit of people, relying more on natural processes to shape its landscape and ecology”
The Wild Ennerdale Vision.
For more information on the Wild Ennerdale Partnership please see their website at www.wildennerdale.co.uk
This is one of a series of caches that follows the ‘Big Valley’ cycle route in Ennerdale. The route is wholly on good forest roads. There is a ford that has to be crossed at the head of the route. This may be impractical during, and just after, periods of heavy rain. The total distance is around 11½ miles. A shorter loop is available by crossing the river at the Middle Bridge, giving a ride of about 7½ miles. The whole route is virtually traffic free. There is no vehicular access to the general public beyond the car park at Bowness Knott. See waypoint.
Bowness Knott is located at N 54° 31.537 W 003° 22.601 British Grid: NY 10999 15351
The route is not waymarked, but should be fairly obvious – up the north side, and back down the south. An OS map may be useful – or the ‘Big Valley Cycle Ride’ map is available from local accommodation providers in the valley, Caravan sites and Tourist Information centres at Whitehaven, Cockermouth and Egremont or you can download one from the Wild Ennerdale website.
The caches are all placed with the agreement of the Forestry Commission. All the caches are simple 330ml clip lock boxes. As ever with me, they are ‘tat free zones’ containing only a log book and pencil. Please use the hints as we want minimal disturbance to the area.
Refreshments are available at Ennerdale Youth Hostel between April and October, which is located at Gillerthwaite, between the caches at ‘Irish Bridge’ and ‘Gillflinter Beck’.
I am aware of two places locally offering cycle hire.
Braemar Bikes in Whitehaven, 01946 813112
Ainfield Cycles in Cleator Moor, 01946 812427
They both have a bike collection service for the very popular C2C ride, so may well be prepared to arrange to meet you at Bownesss Knott car park - you can but ask!
Pillar Rock view.
Pillar Rock dominates the valley hereabouts.
“You see yon precipice—it almost looks
Like some vast building made of many crags,
And in the midst is one particular rock
That rises like a column from the vale,
Whence by our Shepherds it is call'd, the Pillar.”
William Wordsworth, The Brothers.
The first recorded ascent of Pillar Rock was made in 1826 by John Atkinson of Croftfoot, Ennerdale. His route, known as the Old West Route, is still classed as a rock climb, albeit one graded Moderate. It is the earliest recorded rock climb in the Lake District (not counting Coleridge's inadvertent descent of Scafell in 1802.)
For people who like this sort of thing - Pillar Rock has a topographic prominence of more than 15 metres, and thus qualifies for the list of "Nuttalls" compiled by John and Anne Nuttall in their book ‘The Mountains of England and Wales.’ It is the only summit on the list that cannot be reached without recourse to rock climbing.
I would like to be able to say, as Wainwright said of Helm Crag, that I have reached the top of Pillar Rock. My continuing existence can probably be put down to the fact that I’ve never tried (yet). But what a cache location that would be for those amongst you who worry about their nearest unfound cache !