Tarn Hows, Lake District, Autumn
Our new jam is sunrise hikes.
After summiting Loughrigg Fell as the sun rose up last weekend, we ventured out for another sunrise hike. This time we started from Yew Tree Tarn near Coniston, and hiked up through the woods in a ravine called Glen Mary to find a delightful succession of waterfalls called the Tom Gill falls. Following the gill, you eventually pop out at Tarn Hows, where we were greeted with crystal-clear reflections and the sun rising up above the surrounding fells.
We took the Tarn Hows circular trail anti-clockwise to hitch up onto the crags above the tarn known as the Howgraves crags. Lots of cuddly Herdwick sheep were happily grazing around the crags here. We then rejoined the trail anti-clockwise before exiting at its northwestern junction towards the Cumbria Way. This takes you back towards the A593, north of Yew Tree Tarn, where we followed the path alongside the road before returning to the car.
Incredible views, peaceful sounds, gorgeous light, and cuddly sheep. What’s not to love?
All photos shot on a Fujifilm X-T2 with my new Samyang 35mm f/1.2 lens using a customised Classic Chrome film profile.
A fairly still Yew Tree Tarn with the first of the day’s light just starting to hit the crags of Holme Fell (317 m/1,040 ft). The last time we saw this tarn was early summer, and it was completely dry.
The first of the cascades known as Tom Gill falls. Starting to get some autumn colours in the Lake District now.
The main waterfall of the Tom Gill falls, dropping 30 ft. This is a vertorama, or even a “bokehrama”, comprised of six landscape frames at 35mm/f1.2, stacked top to bottom.
Looking back to my lovely Lisabet as we continue up the Glen Mary ravine.
Eventually we pop out of the ravine onto Tarn Hows, with crisp reflections and golden sunrise light.
Perfect reflections of the south bank of Tarn Hows.
Another vertorama comprised of three landscape shots at 35mm/f1.2, stacked top to bottom, showing the glowing woods we came out of.
A beautiful Herdwick ewe, giving me that characteristic quizzical and curious look from her perch.
As we climb up the crags above Tarn Hows another Herdwick ewe emerges from the bracken, giving me a look. Behind her is the glowing face of Wetherlam (763 m/2,502 ft).
One or two people have arrived on the Tarn Hows trail as more sunlight illuminates the fells and woodlands. High above is the Old Man of Coniston or Coniston Old Man (802 m/2,632 ft), the highest of the Coniston fells and once the highest peak in Lancashire before the formation of the county of Cumbria.
The Langdale Pikes peep just above the woods around Tarn Hows. This is a 4-shot vertorama, stacked top to bottom, at 35mm/f1.2.
Looking down to Tarn Hows from the crags above it. Beyond are the Grasmere Fells.
An 8-shot vertorama, highlighting this naked tree as it catches the light.
Another flock of Herdwicks grazing in the woods around Tarn Hows, with the rising sun breaking through the canopy.
We exit the Tarn Hows circular trail onto the Cumbria Way, which rises gently towards the A593. Along the way we’re treated to sweeping views of the Coniston Fells and their autumn colours. This is a 3-shot vertorama, stacked top to bottom, each shot a landscape frame at 35mm/f1.2.
Where there’s a winding dry stone wall, there I am trying to photo a composition.
On the way back home we stop off at Staveley for a bacon butty and a flat white at More? Bakery.
She loves a good brew.