Conic Hill...superb views

Ben Lomond from Conic

My original plan was to tackle a Munro today, Meall Gheordie near Killin but with the recent weather I thought that there would be too much icy snow to be safe. Plus the MWIS website forecast -4 degrees at the summit, too cold after the Tenerife sun.

Conic Hill

So plan B drag Mrs B up a small hill. I had been given  the book titled 'The Hughes' for Xmas, basically Scotland's best wee hills under 2000 feet. Mrs B will try these but no longer wants the full on hills. I chose Conic Hill at Balmaha which I have seen many times but never took the opportunity to climb. 361 metres just fine for her.
We arrived at the car park which was already about 2/3rds full, all the weekenders were out to enjoy themselves.

Track leading to viewpoint

There is no real route navigation required as most of it follows a section of the West Highland Way. There was some sort of race on today, apparently following the first section of the way from Drymen to Tyndrum. from the look of some of them it could be a long day but good luck to them.
Started the GPS and off we went. A pleasant short forest section with plenty of birds singing encouragement and sunlight coming though the tall pine plantation.
Then a section of steps and a short haul brings you to your first viewpoint over Loch Lomond, the Luss hills, the Arrochar hills and snow covered Ben Lomond's summit peaking out. Looking at the amount of snow on the Ben I was glad not to have pursued the Munro option.

Luss Hills

At this point you can see the trail going up and there are a lot of people around, the shops must be empty today.
On the way up I hear my first cuckoo of the year and indeed it continues calling for a partner all the way up.

Fault line Loch Lomond

Easy walking up a clear track brings us to a cross section. Straight on is the West Highland path but upwards a track goes, caution required as lots of loose stones and gravel brings you to a top which had about a dozen or so charity walkers congratulating themselves.

Shower misses us

The views are superb in all directions. You have now added the Campsies and looking eastwards to the Ochil's. More charity walkers arrive and some looked distinctly weary. I suggested to my wife that maybe we should tell them they had not actually reached the summit. I was told in no uncertain terms that this would be out of order. You are now standing on the fault line and you can see the fault continuing through the Loch Lomond islands, all clear to see.

Luss hills

The real summit is two small hills away. There is only a faint track so clearly most people don't realise and make the effort. On the second knoll there is a small pile of stones, the real summit, only by 3 metres but this is it. We sit and have our lunch, fancy term for sandwich and cake, taking in and enjoying the superb view, also watching the predicted rain sweep down the loch but not touching us. It was not due to appear until around 3pm but early. This summit also gives you a clear view of the West Highland Way, plenty of people can be seen but if they are just starting the full route it will be a wet and cold week ahead.

The real summit

We decided not to retrace our steps but instead take an easy clamber through the heather to join up with the West Highland Way path. On the way down there is an option to take a slight detour from the first viewing place but the hail showers had now reached us so we just stuck to the path.

Rain getting closer

Although this is a fairly straightforward hill it is still amazing how many people were ill dressed if the weather changed, which at had at times, as we descended. Not just clothing but footwear.
I was delighted we did this excellent little hill, the views are magnificent, once again proving height does not mean you need to go to the highest to get the best views. You could easily do this in a couple of hours so give it a go.