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Recently Ian tried to include Latrigg in a walk from Castlerigg on the other side of the valley,

but that day he was blocked by the bridge closures and the flood damage on the Keswick to Threlkeld railway path.

Today he tries from Spooney Green and invites Steve and ourselves along to enjoy the walk and the summit views.

Parking on the edge of Keswick and setting off up Spooney Green Lane towards Latrigg.

To the left are the Skiddaw Fells with Carlside and Skiddaw south top.  The third top, Little Man, looking higher due being closer.

The main peak of Skiddaw with the trig point and viewing pillar is just out of sight over the back of the middle peak.

Across the A66 North Lakes road bridge.

A gate to lean on and chance to meet the gang today . . . Ann, Ian and Steve.

Nice to be walking with Steve again.  He's come up on the train from Barrow to Seascale and then over in the car with Ian.

Rather than head straight for the top we head right along the forest paths that contour along the fell side.

As with a lot of forest tracks there are more than are shown on the map . . . we take the one that climbs slightly uphill.

We're above valley level and with the gaps in the trees the view opens out  to the south.

Keswick and Derwent Water and the distant high fells from Great End and Scafell Pike round to Gable and Grisedale Pike.

The view from this field won't be here for ever as they've planted trees inside the protective plastic tubes.

The dogs seem to like it.

There was an attempt to build an unofficial course without permission on this private land and most of it has been removed . . . but not this jump.

There are lots of native trees on this side of Latrigg   but much of the woodland is commercial as well.

Here we have joined a recently used forest track.

The recent traffic was a large forestry harvesting vehicle.

For those that are impressed with silly games try walking the log and balancing on the end !

On the last part of the path we leave the woodland and regain our views

of the high fells to the south and down into the River Greta valley.

Far below we can see a newly eroded cliff, one of many which have added to the extra gravel and rock left in the river bed

all the way down the valley including through the town of Keswick . . . devastating but natural erosion at work.

Further upstream is the old railway bridge, its supports undermined, it was cast aside by the flood waters.

Through a gap in the trees, the other end of the bridge, now now longer anchored to the southern river bank.

Our path emerged virtually at the eastern end of the ridge of Latrigg.

Here the views extend from Clough Head all the way up the long ridge of the Dodds to the summit of Helvellyn.

All that remains is the mainly gentle ascent of that eastern ridge back up to the summit of Latrigg.

As we haven't seen Steve for a while there was always plenty to talk about.

Starting as we did late morning . . . today's walk included lunch with a view.

Steve contemplated whether he has enough to share with Dylan and Harry,

but we've brought their dog biscuits along so there's no need.

Drawing level with the Gale Road car park

we can look across once more at Skiddaw Little Man and the tourist route and bridleway up Jenkin Hill.

To our left a view of Derwent Water once again.

Looking down on the houses of the Chestnut Hill outskirts of Keswick and across to Castlerigg campsite under Bleaberry Fell.

The tracks across the fields may look like wind farm work but they are probably test drilling sites for the new Thirlmere water pipeline.

Walking along by the larch trees on the summit of Latrigg.

This is a favourite place for people to sit and enjoy the view.

. . . or stand and enjoy the view.

 . . . or for that matter lie down and enjoy the view.

Down below, the new affordable housing being built on what was known as the Sheep Dog Field

. . . and down there is where I used to work . . . hi fellas !

The round window in the roof of Fishers holds the webcam . . .here's looking at you . . . or should I say, each other.

A cheerful wave from the guys from Cumbria Gyroplanes as they circled the fell and flew on.

The couple from Keswick had followed us down and we chatted for a while.

The rowan tree is starting to bear fruit

and we can look across to Catbells, Hindscarth and Robinson now we have reached the main path down toSpooney Green lane.

Four fine cups of tea or coffee and several nice biscuits were a delight for us

This was the first time we had visited the Crosthwaite Filling Station Cafe at High Hill . . . it won't be the last.

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