Not so royal views from Queensberry Hill

Hill/Walk: Queensberry
Category: Graham/Donald
Height: 697m
A cracking hill for a short winters day walk with friends, to rid the body of its Xmas lethargy by way of too much food and drink. The early adventure was getting here as the sat nav took us over a minor mega pot filled track, 5mph maximum, boy glad to get off that.

Start

We parked up at Mitchellslacks, a very nice sheep hill farm. Crossed the bridge passing alongside the right of the farm, dogs going nuts but thankfully they were shut in. Chickens running everywhere but no signs for fresh eggs!!
Headed across the field full of sheep with plenty of amorous rams to keep all happy.

Looking down on the twisted bridge

We opted for the left track taking us alongside the Capel burn. The landscape across the burn looks odd, artificial, we wondered if some of it was old mine bings? When we reached the twisted bridge there was now no track on this side so rather than heading up the gully we went up the grassy slopes to meet the higher path at The Law.

Cut off just ahead

The predicted fog was not present and we had good views up the glen to Earncraig Hill but the top was moving in and out of cloud.
Cant go wrong as we followed the track up the glen until just before the two ruined properties.
For some reason, probably chatting too much we did go wrong, we had walked past the ATV track and just started clambering up the hill in the direction of Queensberry.

Typical moorland

The going was typical tussocky moorland but going was fine. However from this approach it was the hill of false tops. There was always a hump just ahead which we hoped would give us a better view but nope, all that was ahead was another hump and so on.

A bit bleak but keep going

With about 100 metres to go we were in the clouds so our limited visibility gave us false hope but no just another hump. Finally for about 10 seconds the clouds cleared, we could see the false cairn, then closed in again and onwards we went.

Big summit cairn comes into view

When we reached the false cairn at the plateau top a faint track leads on for about 5 minutes then the very big cairn appeared out of the gloom. 2 hours to the top.

A view of sorts but not for long

Sadly minimal views except of some wind turbines nearby so opted to descend for lunch. As there were no views we decided to just return same route.

Looking up the glen from the descent

This time we found the ATV track which took us all the way back to the lower track. But not before enjoying lunch in spring like temperatures taking in the view of the meandering silver Capel burn, just perfect.
A return trek via the higher track back to the car.
An amazing day for this time of year, so mild. Enough views to keep us happy and work off some of the excess of the last few days. Disappointing next to no wildlife to be seen.

Wildlife: Raven
Time: 3.49
Ascent:  545m
Distance: 10.7km