Crook Hill

I'd gained some height as I left the woods, and I greeted a light drizzle.  After the steep climb through the woodland, the path was now fairly flat to Crook Hill.  Near Lockerbrook Farm Outdoor Centre a man passed me saying that it was chilly. I politely agreed, although I was cooking after the recent climb.

Crook Hill consists of two little peaks.  The highest is a mere 382 metres, but what they lack in height they more than compensate with superb 360 degree views.  Derwent Edge, Ladybower Reservoir, Stanage Edge, Bamford Edge, Win Hill and Kinder Scout.  There is supposed to be remnants of a megalithic stone circle between the peaks, but my unlearned eye couldn't spot it. On my ascent I'd watched somebody wandering about an area towards the Derwent Valley. Occasionally he'd stoop down to look at something and then move on.  Curiosity nearly got the better of me, and I was tempted to go across and ask what he was searching for, but I thought it might look a bit intrusive.

Ladybower Reservoir

It didn't take me long to make the descent from Crook Hill to the Ladybower viaduct. My arrival coincided with the sun making the first appearance of the day. The woodlands and hillsides glowed at its touch.  I didn't last long though; within twenty minutes it had disappeared again. Well, twenty minutes is better than nothing. The route followed the reservoir track along the east bank.  The weather really closed down now with the hill drizzle meeting the valley floor.  It had cleared a little by the time I got to Mill Brook. The reservoir was very low exposing some of the foundations of the Derwent Village that was flooded when the reservoir was created. I took a wander out to the foundations. By the time I got to the foundations I felt I was actually standing in the middle of the reservoir.  A board informed me that Mill Brook was named after the water power it provided for the local mill. 

Mill Brook

It was a steady climb upwards on the Mill Brook path. There was a wonderful view back along the valley. I was taking. As I was taking a photo three women stopped near me to admire the view as well. While one of them extracted something from her rucksack, another took a picture with her movile phone. 'Hope I've not ruined your photo', said the rucksack-rummaging one. 'Don't worry I'll edit you out', replied the photographer. Photography is getting much easier nowadays.

Eventually the path levels out into flat moorland walking. I heard the rumblings of helicopters; the military using the Derwent Valley for training runs. I readied my camera in anticipation of getting a good shot, but they flew so low that I never actually saw them over the brow of the moorland.

I spotted a man stood on the path a quarter of mile away. He was still there as I approached. 'Are you waiting for the sun to come out?', I asked. He had a camera around his neck.  Yes, I don't think it will be too long. The mist is slowly moving on the hill over there'. I look over to the misty Alport Moor and tried to hide my scepticism. 'Good luck', I offered. I looked back to him, 10 minutes later, and he was still stood there.

Derwent Reservoir

The path descended towards the Howden Dam. There was a tremendous view of the dam and the valley ahead. The colours and misty air gave a mystical, painting like quality to the view. The walk back to Fairholme was along the Derwent Reservoir track. 

Derwent Dam

When I reached the Derwent Dam I could see the entry point into the Derwent Reservoir of the watercourse I'd seen early this morning. 

Although there are two climbs in this walk, they don't feel difficult, and there is actually quite a lot of flat walking. The views are some of the best in the Derwent Valley.