A lot of rough ground but a fun trek.....Craiglee

Hill: Craiglee (Loch Doon)

Type: Sub2k

Height: 523m

An outing with ADRC to a familiar hill but a slightly different route. I hadn't been out with the group for a while and the new variation intrigued.

A pleasant day and a larger group than I expected so good for the club. 

We started from Loch Bradan and walked alongside the loch before cutting off and the start of the rough ground to Loch Brecbowie. This was a very pleasant setting and a loch I dont think I have visited before.

After that a climb up more rough ground to the ridge before heading up and down to the Nick of the Loup. A steep descent followed by the uphill climb to Craiglee. A few walkers were now struggling a bit but most made it.

Excellent views before descending back to the Nick and down to the track and the normal route back to loch Bradan.

The walk was a good tester, more ascent than I expected so good for the conditioning. It was nice to have a chat with some walkers that I had not seen since Covid and some new faces. There was a mixture of fitness so the walk was also longer than expected but that is the joys of large group walking.

Ascent: 733m

Distance: 14.6km

Time: 6.31

Wildlife: Goldfinch; Small Heath; Meadow Pipit

A new Craiglee route for me.....via Loch Bradan

Hill: Craiglee

Type: Sub2k

Height: 523m

Although I have been up Craiglee a few times in recent months this was a new route for me ascending from Loch Bradan. A Tuesday walk with the Ayr OIR and out with the 'fast' group.

Loch Bradan

Loch Bradan was very quiet, a few tents around but nobody fishing. We jammed the parking area so no doubt a few disappointed dog walkers shortly.

The initial stretch is on a good trail between Loch Bradan & Loch Finlas, particularly good today with all the dry weather.

Dry track in view

This is typical rugged Galloway moorland but no hardship just yet. Good chat helped the trek fly past.

Then it all changed when we took a shortcut from the track across the dreaded tussocks. Careful walking as I did not want a twisted ankle here.

Mullwharchar centre & Merrick to its right

Before long we met a fence with a vague path towards our reward, a snack at the bottom of Nick of the Loup. The views opened up particularly of the Awful Hand range with some recent snow clinging to the flanks.

Typical slabs

Refreshed we headed onto the ridge where walking was eased by the stony ground slabs, much quicker than the tussocks.

Craiglee ahead

AOIR on the ascent

A few ups and downs along with some boggy terrain but Craiglee was in sight and soon reached. Last time I was here it was in deep snow. As said in previous blogs the views are superb from up here. The three distinct mountain ranges all clearly in view, heading down to their junction around Glentrool. 

Taking in the summit view

The weather was far from the recent blue skies, quite grey with short term visibility still excellent but long distance a bit hazy. The grey sky plus was the warmer temperatures.

Group 2 centre left

We headed back down a similar route and met the 2nd group ascending. Ships in the night passing, a few comments, all observing social distancing, even in the great outdoors. 

When we had descended around the Nick the group split with some opting for a higher route but I have walked these hills enough recently so happy to descend back to the track and follow it back to the cars. On the descent we had it very warm, then light showers and then more heat. I think the weather is coming back to Scottish normality and grey will dominate the blue.

Looking over Bradan to the dam

Another good short walk in excellent company. Even better when we heard local restrictions lifted so more walks further afield sooner than expected.

Ascent: 594m

Distance: 14.2km

Time: 4.34

Wildlife: Pied Wagtail; Meadow Pipit: Buzzard: Raven