Ben Bowie and Killoeter, this time via Bromley Muir, tops suitable covered in mist, not many views but good running, took the by pass path onto Killoeters ridge, along the ridge and down towards Helensburgh, up towards Ben Bowie on the 3LW cut off for the soft ground to B Bowies summit, 3LW back to the Vale.
A busy weekend meant a short long run on Sunday, used one of our Club routes, less than 7 miles a couple of decent climbs but nothing sustained and straight out from my front door. The loops are round Carman reservoir and round the moor overlooking the River Clyde, the first Trig is TP5637 - Renton, a low level trig just over 500' above sea level, good views across the Clyde, the second trig is higher, just under 1000', TP1668, Bromley Muir, follow the trail past the quarry and along a boggy track, great views up Loch Lomond and over The Clyde, the Arran peaks visible on a good day. Return along a muddy trail to the hill fort and down past the Radiomast.
Shorter run this week and back on the hills now the snow has cleared, ground sodden making for cold toes. Carman Fort first, along past the Trig point to join the Three Lochs Way/John Muir Trail at the top of the Stoney, Ben Bowie next, lots of newly fallen trees. Short down and up to Killoeter's ridge, followed it up and down to the Hel n Back trail, re-joined the Three lochs way to the top of The Stoney, returning along to the Fort and home.
1st longish run for a couple of weeks, stayed local running up Mount Malow then over Carman and Bromley Muirs to the Stoneymollan, followed the 3 Lochs Way to Ben Bowie, over the top to The John Muir trail back to the Stoney, took the easy way back, down the Stoney, through Tulliechewan and the Hospital. Nice light as sunset approached.
Decided on a lower level run as the forecast was for snowy showers and wind on the hills. Started out in bright sunshine.
Climbed Mount Malow and down towards Carman quarry turning off on a farm track towards Cardross, came out just behind what was the Priest College.
Still some paths through here although not maintained, the old castle hasn't changed much apart from some graffiti and the ivy we used to climb up on the front of the castle has been cut away. Ran down to Cardross shore and along to Ardmore.
Round the point and I could see a few dark clouds approaching started up the Red Road, snowy sleet started as I reached the black Third farm.
The sky quickly cleared as I crossed the moor on the Three Lochs Way/John Muir Trail into the Vale, finishing in just over three hours.
Monthly long long run this weekend, Mount Mallow to start via the track behind Carman Reservoir.
Along past the Trig Point to the top of the Stoneymollan track, along the John Muir Trail until it starts to descend towards Glen Fruin then a short steep climb up through trees to Ben Bowie.
Killoeter next then onto the Red Road up past the Black Third and Shepherds pool, down the Stoney trail to Balloch.
Into the bottom of the park along to the Fairy Glen trail up to the loop round Whinny Hill trail, back in to Balloch, up through the Haldane and followed track and trails that pass between the Golf Course and dump to Whinny Hill.
A lot of the paths were as hard as the roads, frozen solid with ruts and lumps, tough on my feet in fell shoes with their thin soles. Covered over 20 miles and nearly 4000 of ascent, walked the steeper up hills and stopped every 1 to 2 hours for some food, flapjacks were good except nearly frozen and brain freeze quickly followed each drink of juice.
Another Ben Bowie run, changed a few loops to keep it fresh, started straight up to the Fort.
From the Fort ran along the muirs past the Trig Point to the top of Stoneymollan.
Onto the Three Lochs Way to Ben Bowie then John Muir Trail and 3LW to Killoeters ridge dropping down at the top of the Red road running up past the Black Third farm to the top of the Stoney.
Back along the muirs dropping down to the quarry for an extra bit of vert up to the Fort, down past the Radiomast to finish just over 3 hours.
