Ogden Reservoir – 18/03/26 – Leader Mark

Twenty of us gathered at the reservoir car park, spring was definitely in the air as there were quiet a few pairs of shorts on show. There was a little breeze but not a chill.

We set off across the dam wall and started to climb up through the woods. We continued to climb towards Nicholas Pike. Thankfully the route was a lot drier than on the recce a month earlier. Disappointingly some of the paths had been ruined by thoughtless off roaders. As we climbed we had quite a few layer removal stops until we reached our coffee stop with views over Rochdale, Scout Moor and the M62.

Restarting we continued to climb along the Rochdale Way passing Windy Hill, that wasn’t very windy. We crossed the A672, joined the Pennine Way and started the gradual climb to the trig point on White Hill. On our descent we passed a marker recording the “Most Easterly point of Lancashire” unfortunately Steve S stepped in a rather deep wet & muddy hole requiring a quick sock change.

As we dropped down to Readycon Dean Reservoir we found a lovely sunny vantage point to have lunch overlooking the Reservoir. After lunch I decided to change the route and walk around the other side of the reservoir, it was sunny and no one objected. From the reservoir dam we made our way to Cold Greave and descended towards Piethorne Reservoir. Here my original route would have taken us back to the car park with a distance of 9 miles. After a quick discussion we decided to take the slightly longer route around the far side of the reservoir up through the woods. Leaving the woods we passed Kitcliffe Reservoir before retracing our steps back to the car park. Unfortunately, there was no ice cream van in sight.

Thanks to everyone who came on such a glorious day. Someone commented that I had had the wettest and warmest walks of the year so far. Both great fun when completed with such great people

Special thanks to Steve D and Judy.

Photos – Steve D          Back-marker – Judy          Write up – Mark

Distance 9.98 miles          Ascent – 1398          Moving Ave – 2.2 Mph

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Continuously running slideshow below – you can see it full screen by clicking in top left of picture