High Street, Thornthwaite Crag, Gray Crag

We managed to park at the small car park up at Hartsop which saved the walk in along the road through the Hamlet. A nice sunny day with cool breeze boded well for a good walk. The initial part of the route was altered slightly because of the hydroelectric power works in Hayeswater Gill. We took the path up the left bank of the gill to the pumping station, crossed bridge over the gill and the joined the main path up to Hayeswater. Ignoring the the sign to recross the gill at the next bridge we continued up to the lake crossed at the top of the gill and took the steep path up towards the Knott. Quite a pull up but once the height was gained the walking became easier, behind the Knot (already climbed) and the on to High Street, keeping on the path running by the wall. The path to the right misses the summit.
The visibility today was as good as I have ever seen. All the peaks were clearly visible and identifiable,  not merging into each other as is often the case.
After lunch on the summit the route to the beacon on Thornthhwaite crag was easy. Another short stop, chatting to a walker who was walking Wainwright Way form Blackburn to Buttermere, then off north descending the ridge to Gray Crag. The path was clear all the way even coming off Gray Crag back to Hayeswater Gill. This time we descended directly to the hydro electric works and has to skirt round the fenced off area the rejoin the path. All clearly marked for the least disruption to walkers as possible.

Time 5hrs

Memories

• Excellent visibilty
• Hydroelectric works
• Mountain biker on top of High Street (how did he get there?)

Grade  Excellent

Completes 154  To go 60