John Muir Trail and Stoneymollan

Local trail and hill run, ran though Christie Park out through the fence and along the A82 to Upper Stonymollan road, avoided the road using the muddy path, from the top an out and back along the John Muir Trail to Ben Bowie then back home over Bromley, Overton and Carman Muirs.

Beinn Dubh to Cruach Dhubh

Planned this route for a few weeks, weather and things getting in the way. Set off later than I wanted starting to run before 9, Beinn Dubh first, easy jog to the top in about an hour, passed 3 people going up , 1 coming down. Ground dry and part frozen with the cold wind made keeping feet dry and toes warm a possibility. Around the corries to Mid Hill, good views of the Arrochar Alps, snowy hills beyond a bit hazy.

High cloud meant not much sun. Ran down Mid Hill turning right up to the top of the glen road, through fields to the river, crossing via a small bridge hidden among trees, shortish steep climb up Coillie-eughain Hill, onto the ridge and ran South West up to Creag an Leinbh on the Glen Finlas horseshoe.

Creag an Leinbh from Mid Hill

From Creag an Leinbh ran along the ridge towards Loch Lomond over Beinn Ruisg, good views all round.

The path disintegrates through peat hags and swamps on the approach to Creagan Hill. From there I turned North and down towards Cruach Dhubh.

Chasing deer and other wildlife over trackless ground, trying to get a good picture instead of concentrating on navigation and arrived at the wrong top and had to back track to the main top behind Luss the one used for the Highland games Hill race.

Luss from Crucah Dhubh, new flag required!

Short drop down and back across the river finishing inside 5 hours. More pictures here.

Mid Hill

Back to Glen Luss this week, planned a short run up Mid Hill to Beinn Dubh and back, wind picked up then faded once on the tops. Some snow melt and semi frozen ground made for easy running but with cold toes. Hills quiet except for a couple of runners about 10 minutes ahead along the ridge to Beinn Dubh, turned back along the ridge cloud blowing in and out, breezy on the descent back to the glen, finished in about 2 hours.

Beinn Dubh

Short long run this week, set off early to try to beat the forecast wind and rain, started up Beinn Dubh, very boggy, wind and rain strengthening with height, into the snow nearer the top, ran past the cairn, the snow frozen on top, not frozen enough to support my weight just a short delay before each foot strike broke through the crust, made for hard work and soon turned back.

Whinny Hill Cross Country

Second race in this years club championship, good conditions, plenty of mud, a cool breeze and the rain stopped just before we set off. A lap of the grassy area in front of the Castle in Balloch Park to start, running along to the bottom of Fairy Glen, slow plod up beside the stream across Boturich road onto the upper trail, up through the woods on the hardcore trail before the muddier top loop, return route similar except missing out the lap of the park, coming back to the castle from behind, inside 50 minutes for the 4 1/2 to 5 mile route.