Glen Taner in the snow
Date Walked: 8th February 2011
Distance: 9 miles (14.5km)
Actual Ascent: 1443ft (440m)
Time Taken: 3.5 hours
After the promise of blue skies from the weathermen I took a local trip down to Glen Tanner and prepared a walk that would allow me the choice to continue or cut back at a number points, (depending on how the leg holds up) with OS Explorer 395 in my pocket and my planned route drawn on it (dri -wipe) I set off from the 'Bridge of Taner' car park (£2) for my day in the sunshine.
in a very short time the sun broke through and illuminated the small 'Chapel of St Lesmo' - promising to fulfil the weatherman's prediction
Entering the woodland the path rises quite steeply toward 'Knockie Viewpoint'
The viewpoint has a small fenced area with benches - but its a bit early for sitting I think...
Continuing straight up the hill beyond the break in the trees is an opportunity to 'cut the corner' of the planned route before re-entering the wooded area - clearly a number of others had been here before me this morning and I ignored the short cut and continued.
After a short time I came across a number of 'older generation' walkers who were struggling a little in the conditions, we exchanged pleasantries and as the path split at a marked stone they took the right hand fork down toward the 'water of Allachy' where a return path runs back to the car park whilst I took the left fork toward 'Baudy Meg'
Looking back toward the split as I made my way up the hill alone the snow was quite deep in places and provided more of a challenge than would otherwise be the case, the promise of the sunshine was yet to be delivered.....
Further on at the top of the rise the view was crying out for a blue sky...
As I turned to walk across the saddle toward 'Black Craig' the landscape opened up all around with sparsely dotted trees the only company
After a couple of km of open ground with deep snow, I dropped down a valley before hitting a steep uphill section that left me blowing, looking back the path across open ground can be seen for some distance
A last look across the glen before heading back into the forest
In the trees the path falls quickly and joins up to a well worn logging road
Only a couple of miles to go now but the mud lower down the forest trails was most unwelcome after 8 miles of snow walking so instead of turning left along the south bank of the river as planned, I walked a short distance further to the road entrance to Glen Taner and walked the last 1.5 miles on flat tarmac with no snow.
Back at the car park by the 'Bridge of Taner', I confess that even though the leg held up with no issues I was happy to see the car.......still need some fitness work I think.