Cnoc Coinnich from Lochgoilhead

Hill: Cnoc Coinnich (Mossy knoll) 
Category: Corbett
Height:761m
This weekends outing was to climb the newest ranked Corbett, Cnoc Coinnich and coming back to Lochgoilhead via The Steeple. Before being reassessed it was previously the highest ranking Graham category. Interestingly at the same reassessment Beinn Talaidh on Mull, the same height (761.70, making it 299 mm below Corbett height), was demoted from a Corbett to a Graham, there you go.

Beautiful winter morning at Lochgoilhead car park

The walk started from the car park at Lochgoilhead, kids were already out on the water learning canoeing skills, an excellent flat calm day for them but cold.
Cross to the forestry track and go through the gate to meet the track through the forest before making a steady ascent. We could see another set of kids abseiling a crag up towards The Steeple. But we were heading away from them although we did meet them on the descent.
When you reach a bridge just keep following the track winding its way through the trees.

Follow the white poles of the Cowal Way

Before long this is a very boggy stretch and the line of white posts stretches upwards until the tree line is reached. This gets the heart beat up and the lungs blowing. 

The Brack

You are following the Cowal Way which splits Coinnich from The Brack.
Once you reach the tree line the Corbett of Beinn Bheula and the collection of Grahams are now prominent behind you.

Our route was the grassy slope to the right of the crag

When you break the treeline keep following the white posts up the grassy slope until you decide to break off and make a direct and somewhat steep approach to the summit. We headed for the crag above.

Clouds covering the summit

After a beautiful start the wind had picked up, clouds moved in and it was pretty cold. A brief stop for all to add layers.

The clouds broke to give this spectacular silhouette

We got to the summit, surprisingly small cairn and hid around the other side for a brief lunch. 

Small cairn

We hung around for a bit with the clouds dispersing briefly to tantalise us with the views and I got lucky on the way down with this one.

The Steeple in the centre of pic

We were now on a pathless and very rugged terrain as we headed for The Steeple. In these conditions care was required as there were big steep grassy slopes which were very slippery. 

Looking back descent route summit still in cloud

This was a long trudge of a descent, the terrain very much like my homeland Galloway hills. Constantly rolling footing was giving me some ankle pain!!
The walk did give us great views to its neighbouring Corbett’s of Ben Donich & The Brack. 

The Brack and conical peak of Ben Lomond in distance

Further beyond another famous Corbett, the iconic Cobbler as well as the other Arrochar Alps. Ben Lomond showing us a proper conical mountain shape from this angle

Lochgoilhead from Steeple path

From The Steeple we followed the obvious but wet and boggy trail past the kids abseiling back to the car park. We passed very close to the cattle but they were not the slightest bit interested in us.
An excellent walk in good company, what’s not too like?

Wildlife: Raven, Golden Eagle, Highland Coos.
Time: 4.25
Ascent: 893m
Distance: 11.3k