Walk Report: Dovestone Reservoir

Date:	9th Apr 2009
Stats:	11.0 miles, 2200 feet
Weather:	Cloudy, spots of rain, but no wind to speak of
Trig Points:	1: TP0828 – Alphin Pike
Wainwrights:	N/A
Other Info:	Parking £2 at Dovestone Reservoir, toilets open early
Summary:	Dovestone, Teoman Hey and Greenfield Reservoirs, Greenfield Brook, Birchen Clough, ridge route past Great Dove Stone Rocks, Chew Reservoir, Wimberry Moss, Alphin Pike, Oldham Way, Dovestone

Download file for GPS
Another old favourite for me, although I’ve only done it once before and was beaten back by flooded rivers on a second attempt, but it still holds a fond place in my heart. Part of my training regime for the Coast to Coast which starts in a few short weeks. I don’t feel at all fit at the moment – too many walks cut short and too many pies!

As usual, the first car in the car park.

This overflow was cascading with water last time I was here, so hopefully that’s a sign that the river is passable in Birchen Clough this time.

Greenfield Reservoir

Greenfield Brook

The Trinacle, part of the Raven Stones above Greenfield Brook

Phew, I’m relieved to find the water levels are managable in the clough today – I can complete the walk

Waterfall in Birchen Clough

Looking down onto the weir in Greenfield Brook

Greenfield Reservoir from the Raven Stones

The Trinacle, this time up close and personal – the stone on the left is reachable without ropes, but as I was on my own there was no point

The memorial cross on Ashway Moss – commemerating the death “by accidental discharge of a gun” of Oldham MP James Platt, 1857

Matting used to aid or prevent heather growth – I’m not sure – but there’s lots of it up here

A peat wave breaks on the gritsone shore

Helicopter parked by Chew Reservoir – used to fertilise the fells

The Chew Road winding up from the valley to the reservoir

Dovestone Reservoir – I can see the car from here – if I could zoom close enough

The trig point and shelter on Alphin Pike