Easedale, Lake District, Spring
It’s been quite a few years since we’ve been to Easedale.
In fact, looking through my archives, it’s been four years and a month. Today, Lisabet and I decided we were due for a revisit.
Easedale is a small valley to the northwest of Grasmere village. There are one or two country houses, plus a couple of farms, but arguably its main feature is the waterfall at its head: Sourmilk Gill. This waterfall drops 70-metres as several cascades in between the two towers of Brinhow Crag and Elton Crag. From a distance, with the brilliant white water set against the dark rocks, it’s easy to see why the waterfall has been named such.
Beyond Sourmilk Gill one can extend the walk further to the source of the gill, Easdale Tarn, a picturesque mountain lake dominated by the looming face of Tarn Crag.
We took the standard “tourist” route through Easedale and up alongside Sourmilk Gill towards Easedale Tarn. After a snack, we crossed the gill and followed the boggy path to Stythwaite Steps, the entrance to the floor of the Far Easdale valley. I’d personally never been here before and was delighted by the sights. It’s hard to ignore the bold face of Horn Crag rising above the valley. We then followed the track southwest, rejoining Easedale and back into Grasmere.
All in all a beautiful walk, helped with another lovely day of weather.
All photos shot on my Fujifilm X-T2 using my three prime lenses: a Samyang 35mm f/1.2, a Laowa 9mm f/2.8, and an adapted Pentax SMC 55mm f/2.0. All developed using RNI’s Kodachrome film profiles.
Picturesque Grasmere village. I never tire of the scene looking down Broadgate towards Heron Pike (612 m/2,008 ft).
Only in the countryside…
You bet we bought some of Maisie’s flapjacks. Delicious they were, too. Thank you, Maisie!
As we climb up the path towards Sourmilk Gill, the views over to the Fairfield fells reveal themselves.
The milky-white waters of Sourmilk Gill, with Elton Crag looming above like a giant knuckly first punching defiantly into the sky.
Getting as close to the plunge pool as I dare, with my lovely Lisabet above.
One of my favourite scenes around Grasmere, following the milky-white waters as they tumble down towards Easedale.
Beyond the falls we followed the path up to Easdale Tarn. And though the tarn is pretty, the views back towards Helm Crag and the Fairfield fells is equally wonderful.
The upper section of Sourmilk Gill as it gently meanders to where it will ultimately tumble down to Easedale.
Easedale Tarn, with Tarn Crag’s (551 m/1,808 ft) rounded face high above.
A rather beautiful wind-swept tree leaning away from the waters of Easdale Tarn and Tarn Crag above.
After writing off venturing further towards another tarn above, known as Coledale Tarn, we head back towards the outflow of Easedale Tarn and cross the gill.
One last look back at the bulky head of Tarn Crag.
After carefully navigating the boggy path on the northern side of Sourmilk Gill, we follow the steps down to Far Easedale, known as Stythwaite Steps.
At the floor of the Far Easedale valley, I located a couple of massive boulders I found interesting. I lined up some compositions involving their wonderful colours, textures, and patterns.
Far Easedale. A beautiful valley, with Horn Crag demanding your attention.
“Ian, look! A winding drystone wall.” Lisabet knows me too well.
Brimmer Head Farm. This is referenced on the OS Map in an old-style Blackletter typeface, indicating historical interest. Turns out that there’s a building in the farm that dates back to 1574, reputedly the oldest house in Grasmere.
Another look back at Sourmilk Gill as the path out of Far Easedale rejoins Easedale near the Lancrigg Hotel.
Lisabet taking in the sights before we head down the lane.
Towards the end of our hike the cloud base had lifted off the higher fells above Grasmere, revealing their comely shapes.
Heron Pike above the village, catching some rays. Sheep peacefully graze in the common alongside Broadgate. A day that makes you feel truly grateful.