Camaderry

My track 13.8 miles, average 2.2mph, gain 792m

This is a commentary on my Google album by the same name.

I biked to my starting point where St Kevin's Way crosses the Asbawn Brook, at the end of L8530. I followed St Kevin's Way up and over the Wicklow Gap, hence pictures of Kings River and a footbridge over same where it has dwindled to a mere stream.

I left the Way (there's a picture with the Way marker) to climb Camaderry East Top via the old lead mines. On the way I passed the controlled outflow via conduit from the lower reservoir of the Turlough Hill pumped storage scheme: picture with warning sign. There's a picture of what was a mine adit in the mining area. The track is good all the way and agrees with OpenTopMap. 

I took pictures from the East Top thence to Camaderry proper. Between here and Turlough Hill I enjoyed a quick lunch and was overtaken by a party of seven. They left me to descend by the ESB access road to Wicklow Gap, whilst I went on to beautiful Lough Firib. By this time I had dinged two toes, using insulation tape to bandage them. Hiking barefoot has its challenges as well as its rewards. From Lough Firib to Art's Cross and then down into the glen and back to base.

Formerly I have descended beside the stream - one gets wet but the route is fairly direct even if not "official". This time I thought I would follow the track marked in OpenTopoMap which first crosses the brook and then circles around before descending. Unfortunately this track is decidedly lacking in substance, although I had followed similar tracks successfully up until then.  I ended up clambering through thick heather which is always a bit scary because of the possibility of deer ticks. And I saw (and heard) plenty of deer.

Lough Firrib and Art's Cross

Ali is in hospital. She's had a replacement hip. As a number of folk are visiting her this afternoon, I was able to go exploring. Another bike and hike. The hike part is shown below - it was not much more than 6 miles but that is all I had time for. I'm familiar with this route, which follows the river Glennamore, having done it several time before with a group of folk - but this time was a first alone and barefoot.

Looks like Google is putting them in reverse order again. If anyone can help me fix this, please?

On my descent, looking back, Arts Cross off frame to right

On my descent

Over the hills and far away

Lough Firrib

At the exit end of the lough I met a group of three walkers, with the usual gear and walking sticks. It was a bit like meeting the Lady of the Green Kirtle and the black knight - they all looked rather glum and only the leader spoke. For the sake of conversation I asked if there was a trail leading down from here. From his answer he obviously knew the terrain well, and said there'd be areas of bog. I pointed out that, with my footwear, bog didn't matter. He said "I'm not saying anything" (which wasn't quite true) but his look said a lot.

Lough Firrib

Lough Firrib

Approaching Lough Firrib, Turlough Hill on the horizon

Art's Cross and beyond

There have been several Art's Cross's

Art's Cross

Selfie

The ascent

Storm clouds - there were a few showers

The inscription at the base of the steep climb

To quote:  Art O’Neill died in 1592 on his flight from Dublin Castle to Glenmalure with Red Hugh O’Donnell. That spot lies in the valley, below, close to the foot of the nearby waterfall.

St Kevin's way, where my hike started

This bridge is part of St Kevin's way (probably not original!)

Easter weekend

Easter weekend and amazing weather, the temperature in the 20's. Too good to stay at home so having free afternoons I made the most of them and visited some favourite haunts. My method on both occasions was to cycle and then walk / run.  Although not much running. But once off bike I was bare-foot of course. I took a new ascent route through some forestry above Ballyknockan and thus made a round trip. I have a principle that, where feasible, the outward and return journeys should not used the same route.

Saturday track

Ascent through the forest

After the forest I followed a sort of path

Unusual to find company at the summit

He followed me to this pool where I turned back

Mullaghcleevaun in the distance

Descent to Ballyknockan quarry road

After the Sunday meeting and shared lunch I set off again on my trusty bike, this time to explore forestry tracks under Tonelagee. 17.5 miles cycling round trip, max speed 40.3 mph.

My plan was to use the track as a new way to Mullacleavann. But when I eventually got out of the forestry I figured I had insufficient time and so instead turned right towards Tonelagee (3rd highest in the Wicklows). I met three pairs of hikers, and overtook a fourth single man on the way down. I habitually run most of the way down from Tonelagee - it's good for the leg muscles!

Sunday track 6.51 miles

The forest track, Tonelagee in the distance

Showing the layer of peat that covers these mountains

Towards the Wicklow Gap

Having left the forest, looking back towards Mullaghcleevaun

From Stoney Top, the path to Tonelagee summit

Stoney top is hardly a peak in its own right, the descent to the saddle with Tonelagee being slight. The saddle has an area of naked damp peat which is glorious for running barefoot on. I wonder where Stoney Top gets its name from?

Some joker planted this false peak marker

Lough Ouler and me

The quick way down to Lough Ouler

The true summit, Turlough Hill reservoir in the distance

The descent - note the small lake to the right

Wicklow Gap tourist car park

Upper reach of the Kings River, under the main road

The old Annalecka bridge, close to my bike parking lot

Map of the area, my route in red

The map identifies the small lake I saw to the right of the Turlough Hill reservoir as Lough Firrib. No, I have not yet swum in Lough Firrib but I intend to some hot summer day. The red square is where I parked my bike.

You can click on the images to enlarge them.