Easedale Tarn

Easedale Tarn is set amongst the backdrop of fairly steep-sided crags that offers the walker a pleasant scene upon arrival. The view across the tarn is a wide, open basin, with Eagle Crag, Blea Crag, Slapestone Edge, and Tarn Crag all seamlessly blending in with one another to create a continuous ridge from the northern periphery to the south-western extremes. These craggy peaks provide the viewer with photo-worthy opportunities to capture the entire catchment of this somewhat irregular-shaped, but no less intriguing, cirque tarn.

Four inlet becks feed the tarn, that contains perch, eels and brown trout. The main one of these, from the south-west, comes "down from below the great hands of rock that form the south wall of High Raise", whilst another comes from Castle Howe, and another "spending most of its journey under the scree that falls from Tarn Crag." There are multiple small water sources, seemingly plentiful enough to supply the tarn year round. Unlike other cirque tarns, Easedale Tarn actually contains two basins; the deeper basin on western end and a shallower basin, located near the outlet by the unusually large moraine. The southern aspect of the cirque is clearly less pronounced and more of a gentler, morainic slope. This is not the classic cirque-feature shape where three sides are usually steep and fairly circular, with a moraine that is relatively low in comparison. Here, the moraine is quite extensive and raises either side of the outlet at Sourmilk Gill. Artist (1903 – 1995) calls these a "complex system of moraines" where the continuous flow of water has "carved a channel, and falls over boulders and through mossy banks" where it playfully "spreads out all its white loveliness in a pattern of feathery falls and bubbling rock pools." This indeed, sounds beautifully poetic and reality, depending on what time of year, is a just description. The prominences at the outlet offer superb views in every direction.

The tarn can be walked around in its entirety. On the southern side, the main bridleway forms a thoroughfare to Codale Tarn and the heights of Blea Rigg. This we have found to be relatively dry and in good condition, although there are several wet areas as it crosses the becks or other minor water sources that flow into the tarn. Continuing on this path will instead take the walker to a cairn on High Raise at 762 metres (2,500 feet). If continuing round the tarn, the bridleway meets the minor path at the south-western corner. It’s not immediately apparent there is another path at this juncture, but on the Ordnance Survey map it is clearly marked. Even during the summer months, the western side can become boggy. The path on the northern side hugs the edge of the tarn. Extensive bracken growth covering moat of the path can make it difficult, but not impossible, to follow. From this section of path it is fairly obvious in which direction to follow. Its personal preference which way around the tarn the route is taken.

The walk up besides Sourmilk Gill can be a little strenuous at times, but nothing that cannot be tackled by most people with general fitness. The views are impressive from many points along the way. With its proximity to Grasmere it can get busy, certainly during clement weather, Bank Holidays and throughout the summer months. Even wet weather doesn’t deter those keen to ascend the route with no one around, enjoying the eerie silence to themselves, and who can blame them? Halfway up the climb is one of the main drops of Sourmilk Gill Waterfall. This is a superb place to stop off for a few minutes and soak up the views as you start to ascend. As you would expect, the waterfall is impressive with continued rainfall, but in the heat of summer it can be little more than a trickle. That said, long exposure photography can still capture some impressive shots. There are several other minor falls along the route, mere pools in the summer, but torrents in the winter.

As soon as the dark blue shimmer of water comes into view, you are immediately aware of how picturesque this tarn is, even in all aspects of Lakeland weather. From fair weather day-trippers to veteran fell walkers, all will appreciate the natural beauty abounded in this huge glacial hollow, which, given its size, can still give the appearance of being closed in. The interior is lacking trees of any kind, but nearly all the lower slopes are abundant in swathes of bracken. Water lilies will grow in the more sheltered south-western corner of the tarn, however, it is generally too deep, and its windswept nature means very little vegetation will grow here.

On the other side of the ridge at Slapestone Edge, the smaller, more intimate Codale Tarn, also a cirque tarn, can be included as an addition to this 'there and back' walk.

Etymology
The word Easedale come from the Old Norse personal forename Ási and Old Norse dalr meaning dale or valley. Plus the word tarn, which has roots in the Old Norse word tjörn meaning a small mountain lake, pond or pool. A literal translation of Easedale would be Ási's valley.