Local Hills and Trails

Similar route to last week, about 20 minuites longer as I added in a Bromley Muir loop on the way out. Reversed the loop round Killoeter and Ben Bowie for a bit of variety. Wet and windy as I set off , freezing sleety rain over Bromley Muir, happy that I wasn't higher up and thankful for my Sealskinz on the cold and soggy ground. A few glimpses of the snow capped Glen Finlas hills through the clouds. Soon onto the firmer ground of the Three Lochs Way until the path blockage, up and over Killoeters ridge on the way to Ben Bowie, a couple of small detours to avoid the worst of the bogs. Ran down the ridge re-joining the 3LW and Hel n Back routes about half way down, turned off up the walkers path that follows Killoeters ridge. Over Killoeter dropping down to the 3LW and home the short way via Stoneymollan.  

Carman Reservoir & Dumbarton from Mount Mallow

Glen Finlas from Bromley Muir

Ben Bowie from Killoeter

Stoenymollan Trees

Killoeter & Ben Bowie

Lollipop route today, out n back on the Three Lochs Way with a loop round Killoeter and Ben Bowie in between. Stready run to start then a short trudge up the steep slopes onto Killoeters ridge where the 3LW is still blocked with fallen trees. over Killoeter to the Hel n Back route in reverse, half way up cutting off on a walkers path on the ridge to Ben Bowie. Returned over Killoeters ridge avoiding the blocked 3LW. Fine clear day to be out for a run.

Firth of Clyde over Killoeters summit cairn

Ardmore Point from Hel n Back route

Ben Lomond from Ben Bowie

Across Loch Lomond to Conic from Ben Bowie

 

Is it a path or is it a stream?

Took to my local hills today, the access roads were like rivers. Up towards the fort and the path flowing like a stream which would be the the same for most of the morning, no avoiding it as it is surrounded by ferns and heather. Incessant rain but not much of a breeze so it was fine for a run. Along Bromley Muir to the top of the Stoneymollan then the three lochs way to Ben Bowie, stopped for a bit of path maintenance through the forest to divert a stream that was ripping up the hardocre path. Ben Bowie to Killoeter via the ridge and the Hel n Back route, not much in the way of views but still good to be out. Down though the forest on my way back and my path repair had worked but probably too late as there is a 4 inch deep groove where water had been running down the path.

Bromley Muir Trig

Ben Bowie Cairn

Killoeter Cairn/Stick!

Bromley Muir

Kept it local this week, up to Bromley Muir via Carman Reservoir, along to the top of Stoneymollan and the Hell n Back route in reverse cutting off for Killoeter and Ben Bowie, returning via John Muir and Three Lochs Way. No views, tops misty and drizzly and trails quiet, everybody must have been watching the telly.

Roon the Vale in the snow

Another longer run this week, up behind the reservoir, Stoneymollan, Ben Bowie, Killoeter, Whinny Hill and Pappert Well. Walk the steeper hills and run the rest aiming for about 6 hours. Forecast wasn't good, turned out fine. Snow on the ground down to about 500', not much of a breeze which is ok for a long run. Jog walked up to the Reservoir and up towards the trig, into the snow, a bit deep to run and walked to the Trig and down to the Stoneymollan trail bruised shins from snow crust. Ran out towards Ben Bowie, stayed on the 3 lochs way trail then the Hel n back route to avoid higher snow covered ground on Ben Bowie and Killoeter. Ran most of the way to Whinny Hill except a couple of short sections through the forest. Back down the trail then across fields past Robin House through the Haldane housing estate leaving via tinkers loan up the road towards the dump, a track leads across behind the golf course, another detour, this time into a field to avoid a large bull, re-joined the track to find another 3 bulls luckily they were far enough away to allow me to scuttle past. Across a muddy field to cross to reach the Whinny Hill trail, went up the fire break, snowy swampy ground slowing me to a walk again. From the trig point straight down the ridge onto the trail and home via Bonhill Bridge and the Magic Roundabout. Finished in just over 6 hours.

The Ben from Stoneymollan Trig point

Looking towards Dumbarton from Stoneymollan Trig point

Ben  Bowie from Stoneymollan

Dumgoyne and Dumfoyne from Stoneymollan

Glens Finlas and Luss across Loch Lomond

Cameron House Marina from Whinny Hill Park

Pappert Well Trig Point

Ben Bowie and Killoeter

More off road this week using an out and back over Bromley, Carman and Overton Muirs, with a loop round Ben Bowie and Killoeter in between, less road and trail more hill and moor. Another overcast day, ran it all this week, nice and easy to start, finishing in just over three hours.

Killoeter summit

Ardmore from the Hel n Back route

Mount Mallow summit cairn

Killoeter and Ben Bowie

Reverse of the route from a few weeks ago with an extra loop round Carman reservoir along to Stoneymollan. Snow on the ground from 500'. Ran down past the Black Third taking the Hel n Back route in reverse turning right at the top of the hill up Killoeter's ridge dropped down and across the Three Lochs Way over to Ben Bowie off the back onto the John Muir Trail back to the Stoneymollan running down through Tullichewan, the Vale Hospital and Christie Park to finish.

Across the Vale from Overton Muir

Loch Lomond from the Trig point

Killoeter's summit cairn

Forest behind Ben Bowies summit

Stoneymollan, Ben Bowie, Killoeter

Local run this week over the Stoneymollan muirs, Three Lochs Way, John Muir Trail and a couple of small hills, Ben Bowie and Killoeter. Steady run round the trails and paths, managed to catch a wee weather window in the morning, 15 miles and 3 hours.

Carman reservoir

Whinny hill with Conic hill in the background

Along the faultline to Conic hill

Helensburgh from Ben Bowie

Ardmore Point from Hel n Back route

Ben Bowie and Hel n Back

 Local trails again this week, straight up to the Fort and along past the Trig point to the top of the Stoneymollan, along the 3 Lochs Way then John Muir trail.

Leaving the trial to climb up to the top of Ben Bowie.

New route off straight down towards Helensburgh re-joining the 3 Lochs Way for a few hundred yards, then going left onto the Hel n Back route over to the Red Road, returning up past the Black Third farm and the Shepherds pool to the top of the Stoney and a run along to the fort, finishing inside 3 hours.   

Stoneymollan and Ben Bowie

Another run on the moors and trails from my front door. Picked a route to try and get some ascent in without doubling back too much. Managed just over 2100' with only a mile or so run twice. Started up the road and along a quiet A82 verge through fields to the trail up behind Carman reservoir. Past the quarry and trig point to join the 3LW for a short distance, leaving the 3LW running past Shepherds Pool and the Black Third farm joining the red blaize track the Hel n Back runners take, joined the 3LW again and ran up to the top with a short diversion up Ben Bowie, rejoined the 3LW/John Muir Way to the top of the Stoneymollan trail, returning home along the tops past the trig to the Fort, mainly on paths and through fields, finishing with a short bit of road.