Auchnafree Hill silences the doubts

Hill: Auchnafree Hill
Category: Corbett
Height: 789m
When the alarm went off at 7am it was evident that the rain was thumping down outside and I had my first will I - wont I moment. This was not last night's forecast Half an hour later over my cup of tea rain still tossing it down the second doubt set in as it is a lengthy drive. Checked Met Office a mix, showers, dry, some snow!! Sod it I am up and rucksack packed so go for it.
The weather improved on the journey even fog/mist over the Central Lowlands at Crieff. Parked at Loch Turret dam, no other cars, another doubt have I the right day? Yip others soon arrived.

Start of walk at the dam

Glen Turret dam has been in the waterworks system since the 1860s although it has been refurbished in that period.
We went up the track on our right that runs along the eastern side of the reservoir. 

Choinneachain Hill with low cloud

Hills bright with colour but higher tops in cloud. A good path with some easy water crossings taking in the magnificent views of a hemmed in loch landscape.

Good track Ben Chonzie hidden ahead on left

The track crosses several small burns flowing down the hillside. Looking up it looked like a peregrine coming off the rocks and circling upwards.

Looking back along Loch Turret from right turn

There is an obvious right turn which starts your height gain, get puffing now. A good opportunity to look back and take it all in.

Good height gained now

At another junction you can see the descent route ahead turning to our right. But for now go left for a bit and head uphill to begin crossing the open moor. On your left passing some grouse butts, to take you to the large cairn which soon appears on the horizon.

Cairn ahead across the moor

The true summit is a bit further on, Walkhighlands mentiona a cairn. At the obvious high point a cairn has been dismantled, further on a small pile of rocks?

Ben Chonzie still not showing

We covered all bases so job done. After all the earlier doubts the odd shower but no significant rain. Although clouds have never revealed Ben Chonzie we have surprisingly good views all around.
Too cold and windy for lunch here so we head back down to the junction for a break. Then we then follow the estate track for Choinneachain Hill, as WH describes it is indeed an undulating, winding course around Ton Eich before climbing up to Choinneachain Hill. 

Small snow patches on the estate track

The track has many small snow patches but no walking issues.There is a cracking view over Loch Turret where the Allt nan Columan is running fast.

Allt nan Columan

We now reach the large cairn near the track and spot another one no that far away, what is going on here? Very good views eastwards up here of the Central Lowlands, Perth seen clearly as can the Lomonds beyond.

Looking across to Carn Chois

Heading back we mistakenly did not follow the WH described descent but went a bit further along the path from the cairn before descending. Wow, back in the Galloway hills. Steep heather slopes with lots of hidden trap holes. A descent to concentrate on that’s for sure, almost missed the roe deer running below us.

Last view of Loch Turret from the descent

The cars were now in sight but it was not over. The roots of the burned heather were lethal but eventually back on the track for the short walk back to the car.
Despite my doubts an excellent day was had.

Wildlife: Roe Deer, Buzzard, Peregrine,
Time: 4.48
Ascent: 684m
Distance: 15.2k