Easedale, Lake District, Autumn
And just like that, it starts to feel like winter.
This past weekend, temperatures suddenly plunged 5–8°C, bringing in clear and frosty days with freezing cold nights. On the Sunday, a crystal clear blue-sky day greeted us, so we donned our gloves and hats and made our way into the Lake District. Our goal: a lovely autumnal hike from Grasmere, up to Easedale Tarn via Sourmilk Ghyll, and back down into Far Easedale before returning to Grasmere.
A good 10km hike with some solid ascension.
The last of the autumn colours were evident in the rust-coloured bracken and the leaves littering the footpaths. Just one of those days where it feels great to be outside and alive.
All photos taken on my Fujifilm X-T2 using two of my prime lenses: my Fujinon 23mm f/2.0, and an adapted Pentax SMC 55mm f/2.0. Images lightly developed in Lightroom from Classic Chrome RAW files, finished in Affinity Photo.
It doesn’t take long before a clear view of Helm Crag (405 m/1,329 ft) comes into view.
The trail takes us into Easedale where the arresting sight of Sourmilk Ghyll towered by Tarn Crag (551 m/1,808 ft) and High Raise (762 m/2,500 ft) comes into view.
To our right are the slopes of Helm Crag. Though not a tall fell by Lake District standards, it is deceptively steep.
Across the beck, chunky Herdwick tups graze in the fields below Helm Crag.
Further along the trail, another field beneath Helm Crag was home to some Herdwick lambs with their darker fleeces.
The first goal of the day: Sourmilk Ghyll, with Ecton Crag rising protectively above it.
The waterfalls are an impressive sight. Sourmilk Ghyll was probably named for its bright white water contrasted against the dark ravine it tumbles down.
Above and beyond the falls, the footpath climbs to Easedale Tarn with the imposing face of Tarn Crag directly above it.
Tarn Crag and Slapestone Edge plunge directly into the deep, dark, and cold waters of Easedale Tarn. Fancy a swim?
The view looking back the way we came is no less impressive, taking in Helm Crag, Heron Pike (612 m/2,008 ft), Great Rigg (766 m/2,513 ft), and Fairfield (873 m/2,864 ft).
Adventurous hikers have the option of taking the path all the way around Easedale Tarn and up towards Codale Tarn on the way to High Raise. For us, we crossed the beck flowing out of Easedale Tarn and followed the less-travelled path towards Far Easedale.
One or two clouds joined us on our hike, casting their shadows across Cockly Crag and Greathead Crag.
Look back at the loosely pitched footpath we took from Easedale Tarn.
As the path started to descend down into Far Easedale, more clouds darkened the fellside of Gibson Knott.
My lovely Lisabet leading the way, with the sun drowning the fells in warm light.
Our destination is the valley bottom of Far Easedale, directly underneath Gibson Knott and Horn Crag, at Stythwaite Steps.
To the east, a more slender profile of Helm Crag can be seen. We could not have asked for better light conditions on this day.
The valley bottom at Far Easedale, following the line of Far Easedale Gill towards Pike of Carrs. Time for lunch!
Post-lunch, we followed the craggy trail east back towards Grasmere. This giant boulder above us gained our interest, largely for the addition of a drystone wall perched on top of it!
The Far Easedale path back to Grasmere is definitely more rough and wild, but that just made for more interesting scenes.
Gradually, the path increases in quality as it navigates around giant boulders and ancient barns.
A true Lake District scene: Herdwick sheep and the fells.
This lovely lady had no issues at all posing for us as we snapped away.
Looking back, beyond the ancient Brimmer Head Farm to the waterfall and Easedale fells.
Nearing Grasmere, views of Heron Pike and Rydal Fell soon come into view. Gotta love this time of year for the low angles of light.
Across Broadgate Meadows, the peak of Seat Sandal is darkened by the clouds above. Back to the car park we go.