Yorkshire Dales Walks
Great Coum
Date: 19th June 2004
Distance: 5.5 miles
Ascent: 1583 feet
Time: Too long ago to remember!
With: Matt
Start Grid Ref: SD719854
Walk Summary:
A short climb from Deepdale up to the twin tops of Crag Hill and Great Coum.
Route Summary: Deepdale Lane - Nun House Outrake - Great Coum - Crag Hill - Great Coum - Binks Brow - Occupation Road - Nun House Outrake - Deepdale Lane
Pictures:
1. Matt by the summit cairn on Great Coum
2. Looking out across Dentdale towards the Howgill Fells
3. By the trig point on Crag Hill
4. Ingleborough from Crag Hill
5. Green Hill from Binks Brow
6. Matt descending Binks Brow with Whernside in the background
7. Matt on Occupation Road with the Howgills in the distance
Walk Detail: After completing the Harrogate Ringway the previous week we decided on the shortest walk in Brian Smailes’s ‘Yorkshire Top Ten’.
One of the notable things about this walk was the route we took to actually get to the starting point in Deepdale. We took the small road from Ingleton through the narrow valley of Kingsdale then over the pass to Deepdale. The route involved me getting out of the car regularly to open gates.
The most memorable moment of the drive was when we came over the rise and saw Deepdale below us. It looked truly beautiful and was very green and lush in comparison to Kingsdale. As we descended into the valley I was also struck by the number of roadside hedgerows as opposed to the dry stone walling that is typically found in the Dales. I later learnt that both Dentdale and Deepdale are quite well known for this.
The path up to Occupation Road was probably the first time we had encountered a steep rocky track and I found it quite hard going. Once on to the fell proper we then had some difficulty negotiating some of the walls and barbed wire.
The pile of stones marking the summit of Great Coum was not particularly impressive in fact I much prefer the Crag Hill side of the summit area. Even though Crag Hill trig is lower than Great Coum the views, particularly to towards Morecambe Bay, are much more impressive.
It got quite cloudy while we were on the top and the temperature dropped surprisingly low considering the time of year. For once though the cloud was not obscuring the view and the fact that there was clearly sun shining in the areas we could see helped my photos come out quite well.
The descent back down to Occupation Road via Bink’s Brow was very steep and grassy and I remember being quite concerned for my safety if I slipped. Just as we got back to Occupation Road we could clearly see some heavy rain coming down over the Howgills and could see it heading our way. Fortunately we managed to get back to the car just before the deluge overtook us.
Deepdale and the views we had of Dentdale made a lasting impression on me and overall this was one of the best walks of the summer. This walk was also notable for perhaps being the first one where we had not seen a single other walker.
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