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There has been snow around for a few days now and today we had chance to get out and sample it for ourselves.

Whinlatter seemed like a good choice for today's walk.

Hopegill Head and the Whiteside Ridge as seen from the village of Lorton.

Zooming in on Hopegill Head, as seen from the centre of the village.

Hopegill Head from the Lorton Yew.

The drive up towards Whinlatter Pass gave us a fine view of Ladyside Pike and Hobcarton Crags.

Up to the Whinlatter Centre where we find somewhere to park.

[ Note: The rest of the Whinlatter Road is closed 3 weeks (Mon to Friday, 5th to 23rd Jan) while the Forestry Commission demolish a few trees ]

[ All complaints to Alledale District Council or the Forestry Commission . . . but it won't do you any good ! ]

They are also doing some repairs, alterations and/or improvements at the Forest Centre too.

We head off up into the woods

There's a nasty grey squirrel . . . it used to be a nice red squirrel but the wood sculpture has weathered over time.

Dylan and Harry explore the snow as we walk up the forest track.

The first clearing has an information board.

It used to describe the view, but now the trees have grown up it gives a potted history of the life of the forest's red squirrels.

Almost hidden from view . . . . Grisedale Pike.

In the present weather, the flat light causes the snowy summit to blend into the cloudy sky.

Winter Wonderland where the snow has settled on the branches of the fir trees.

A brief pause for a photo and Harry settles back in relaxed mode.

Dylan is very much on the go . . .

The sub-zero temperature means the snow is still fresh, dry and very fluffy.

Where there was flowing water it has frozen into interesting icicles.

Guess where this is . . . no more clues !

The track to Ullister Hill continues on from Tarbarrel Moss

and as the tracks get smaller, the snow covered trees overhang the path.

There's a hoar frost as well as snow on these branches.

From the lower part of Ullister Hill a clearing gives a welcome view of the fells to the north and west.

So far our walk has been very enclosed.

Click here or on the photo above for a Loweswatercam wider annotated panorama.

From a few feet higher we look down on the view of the northern Whinlatter Valley

carrying the Aiken Beck towards Lorton.

Looking across at Lord's Seat and (just) the snowy summit of Broom Fell to the left.

Receding into the distance . . . the diminutive outline of Binsey.

Not wanting to extend the walk any further we retrace our steps . . .

passing this wonderful frozen reed plant existing on a damp but hidden area of ground.

Back to the open area at Tarbarrel Moss.

The route may be the same but the views are different on the way back.

We look across to Hospital Plantation and you may be able to make out the slopes of Causey Pike in the distance.

Ann making her way back down through the forest . . . which way shall we go now ?

Now to negotiate the tree apes . . .