Saturday and the third day of fine winter weather.

Whinlatter Pass has been closed at Braithwaite but has been open from the Lorton side

so Ann and I drive up to enjoy the winter views while they last.

Too shaded or to icy to walk on many of the forest tracks so the dogs enjoyed a longer walk with Ann on the way back.

The snow on the higher fells has been a delight to look at from a distance So we drive up to Whinlatter to appreciate it closer at hand.

We can't do the big, high walks at present but it doesn't stop us going out and enjoying ourselves on minor tracks and footpaths.

The road climbs over Scawgill Bridge and soon Ladyside Pike and the Hobcarton Valley are in view ahead.

Clear roads but into the deep shadows as we near the top of the pass.

The temperature has dropped several degrees as we reach the Whinlatter Forest Centre.

There are folk about but I managed to miss them all when I took the photo.

Down towards Keswick passing the Cottage in the Woods Hotel.

With the recent tree cutting the views on the eastern descent are more extensive.

In the distance is Keswick and behind it the high level ridge from Clough Head all the way along to the summit of Helvellyn.

The Skiddaw Fells, also a 3000ft + summit, one of the three high mountain groups in the Lakes . . . Skiddaw, Helvellyn and the Scafells.

The track would lead round into the sun but it is fairly icy.

We drive the short distance down the other side to enjoy the view from Knoble Knott.

The classic view from the layby that often has an ice cream van in residence . . . but not today.

The view extends from Binsey on the left, round to Skiddaw and Skiddaw little Man, with Bassenthwaite Lake in the valley below.

We drove up into the forest parking at Knoble Knott but failed to get a clear view through the trees.

. . . so a close up of Helvellyn was achieved as we drove back up towards Whinlatter once again.

The high fell on the right is Ullscarf with Bleaberry Fell in front of it.

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A quick stop at Scawgill Bridge allows the dogs a little run up the valley.

Arches and larches.	The sunshine does not penetrate the valley very far today.

The view of Scawgill Bridge as we retraced our route.

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Full sun in the Lorton Valley and the Hopegill Head to Whiteside Ridge which is looking splendid.

A look over the wall on the other side of the road and we can see Whit Beck as it starts it's diversion

out of the canalised route and into the Whit Beck re-wilding scheme on its way to the River Cocker.

Ann and the dogs needed an extra walk so we diverted up the Buttermere Road till we reached the lake.

I dropped them off so they could make a linear walk home.