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{{SHORTDESC:Small body of water by Loughrigg Fell}} |
{{SHORTDESC:Small body of water by Loughrigg Fell}} |
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<div class="res-img">[[File:Loughrigg Tarn from Loughrigg Fell (5816).jpg]]{{c| |
<div class="res-img">[[File:Loughrigg Tarn from Loughrigg Fell (5816).jpg]]{{c|A cloudy view of Loughrigg Tarn taken from Loughrigg Fell}}</div> |
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'''Loughrigg Tarn''' is a small body of water in an elevated position, located at the entrance of [[Great Langdale]] valley, sitting peacefully out sight to any passers-by unless they happen to be traversing the peaks of [[Loughrigg Fell]]. It is situated to the south-west below Loughrigg Fell, with the hamlet of [[Skelwith Bridge]] to the south and the smallest of the lakes, [[Elter Water]], and the village of [[Elterwater]], to the west. The tarn and the surrounding land of the High Close estate, originally owned by the Balme family and includes some 537 acres, are now under the care of the National Trust, which was acquired in 1952. |
'''Loughrigg Tarn''' is a small body of water in an elevated position, located at the entrance of [[Great Langdale]] valley, sitting peacefully out sight to any passers-by unless they happen to be traversing the peaks of [[Loughrigg Fell]]. It is situated to the south-west below Loughrigg Fell, with the hamlet of [[Skelwith Bridge]] to the south and the smallest of the lakes, [[Elter Water]], and the village of [[Elterwater]], to the west. The tarn and the surrounding land of the High Close estate, originally owned by the Balme family and includes some 537 acres, are now under the care of the National Trust, which was acquired in 1952. |
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The tarn is almost circular in form, 94 metres above sea level and has a shallow basin of 10.3 metres at the northern shore, with grassland, scattered woodland and wetland areas on its gentles slopes towards the shoreline.<ref name="smith">{{smith-tarns|20}}</ref> It sits perfectly in the most exquisite surroundings, which can be appreciated in all its glory from the various upper viewpoints on Loughrigg Fell or from the bridleway and footpath from the north and east of its periphery. It is from the raised grassy fringes that one can appreciate the natural beauty of the area set among the mature trees of oak and larch. The aforementioned Balme family were responsible for planting many of the trees along the bridleway, which was once part of their private driveway. One tree they did not plant, as landscape artist {{w1|William Heaton Cooper}} writes, "decided its own pattern of life....an oak tree was pollarded many years ago, and out of its hearts have sprouted a yew, a holly, a rowan and a silver birch."<ref>{{cooper-1960|181}}</ref> The [[Langdale Pikes]] are prominent on the western horizon. Something to look out for are the vibrant hues of oranges and reds of the setting sun, the colours fading to subtle pastels before the darkness sets in. |
The tarn is almost circular in form, 94 metres above sea level and has a shallow basin of 10.3 metres at the northern shore, with grassland, scattered woodland and wetland areas on its gentles slopes towards the shoreline.<ref name="smith">{{smith-tarns|20}}</ref> It sits perfectly in the most exquisite surroundings, which can be appreciated in all its glory from the various upper viewpoints on Loughrigg Fell or from the bridleway and footpath from the north and east of its periphery. It is from the raised grassy fringes that one can appreciate the natural beauty of the area set among the mature trees of oak and larch. The aforementioned Balme family were responsible for planting many of the trees along the bridleway, which was once part of their private driveway. One tree they did not plant, as landscape artist {{w1|William Heaton Cooper}} writes, "decided its own pattern of life....an oak tree was pollarded many years ago, and out of its hearts have sprouted a yew, a holly, a rowan and a silver birch."<ref>{{cooper-1960|181}}</ref> The [[Langdale Pikes]] are prominent on the western horizon. Something to look out for are the vibrant hues of oranges and reds of the setting sun, the colours fading to subtle pastels before the darkness sets in. |
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==Glacial creation== |
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Loughrigg tarn is the result of glacial action. The ice that excavated this depression did not come from Great Langdale, but instead came from Grasmere to the north. It moved over the col of Red Bank in a south-easterly direction into Great Langdale. This action is known as diffluence where one tongue of ice effectively cuts across the boundary of two catchment areas, the result of which created the elevated basin of Loughrigg Tarn we see today.<ref name="smith"/> Similarly this happened with [[Blea Tarn (Langdale)|Blea Tarn]], the hanging valley situated in between the heads of the Great and Little Langdale. |
Loughrigg tarn is the result of glacial action. The ice that excavated this depression did not come from Great Langdale, but instead came from Grasmere to the north. It moved over the col of Red Bank in a south-easterly direction into Great Langdale. This action is known as diffluence where one tongue of ice effectively cuts across the boundary of two catchment areas, the result of which created the elevated basin of Loughrigg Tarn we see today.<ref name="smith"/> Similarly this happened with [[Blea Tarn (Langdale)|Blea Tarn]], the hanging valley situated in between the heads of the Great and Little Langdale. |
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Access to the tarn is via the A593 and then Ellers Brow. This road borders the hamlet of Loughrigg, a scattering of houses hidden behind mature trees and hedgerows, and climbs until it levels out near the south and western section of the tarn. Views can be had from the road, however, the better views can be explored further on foot using the public footpath from Tarn Foot Farm Campsite, which circles part of northern side. Visitors to the tarn will also undoubtably experience issues with parking unless they are camping here. Most of the country lanes are narrow and will not accommodate parked vehicles unless you find a layby. The nearest suitable parking is at [[Skelwith Bridge]], which itself has limited parking and can be difficult to find a space after midmorning. |
Access to the tarn is via the A593 and then Ellers Brow. This road borders the hamlet of Loughrigg, a scattering of houses hidden behind mature trees and hedgerows, and climbs until it levels out near the south and western section of the tarn. Views can be had from the road, however, the better views can be explored further on foot using the public footpath from Tarn Foot Farm Campsite, which circles part of northern side. Visitors to the tarn will also undoubtably experience issues with parking unless they are camping here. Most of the country lanes are narrow and will not accommodate parked vehicles unless you find a layby. The nearest suitable parking is at [[Skelwith Bridge]], which itself has limited parking and can be difficult to find a space after midmorning. |
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Walkers, hikers, cyclists and campsite residents will enjoy the cooling waters of the tarn, especially on warm and muggy days. Swimming is popular with many people who enjoy the freedom that comes with tarn swimming, as well as canoeing and kayaking for those that have their own crafts. There are multiple routes to explore the area on foot, with many paths criss-crossing on Loughrigg Fell. Depending on how far you are willing to walk, other paths allow further exploration of [[Elter Water]], [[Skelwith Force]], [[Colwith Force]], [[Slater's Bridge]] and the disused quarries at [[Cathedral Cave]] and [[Hodge Close]]. |
Walkers, hikers, cyclists and campsite residents will enjoy the cooling waters of the tarn, especially on warm and muggy days. Swimming is popular with many people who enjoy the freedom that comes with tarn swimming, as well as canoeing and kayaking for those that have their own crafts. There are multiple routes to explore the area on foot, with many paths criss-crossing on Loughrigg Fell. Depending on how far you are willing to walk, other paths allow further exploration of [[Elter Water]], [[Skelwith Force]], [[Colwith Force]], [[Slater's Bridge]] and the disused quarries at [[Cathedral Cave]] and [[Hodge Close]], to name but a few. |
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==References== |
==References== |