Our travel-agent-extraordinaire made sure that our British vacation would never be boring. After
museums, castles, and ferris wheels, our final day in Wales was spent hiking a rugged (although not too rugged) trail in Snowdonia National Park/Parc Cenedlaethol Eryri. Specifically, we walked (and some of us clambered) up part of the way to Mt. Snowdon/Yr Wyddfa's peak. It was glorious!
We took the Miner's Trail, which is the easiest of the routes to the summit. What worked for us is that the first part is really easy, and there's a clear demarcation for when the more difficult section begins. So the wimps in the group (mainly me, the almost-three-year-old, and his attendant parent—definitely not a wimp but needed to carry the little one when little legs needed a break) could turn back before things got real. Here's an early portion of the trail and attendant fabulous scenery:
We took the Miner's Trail, which is the easiest of the routes to the summit. What worked for us is that the first part is really easy, and there's a clear demarcation for when the more difficult section begins. So the wimps in the group (mainly me, the almost-three-year-old, and his attendant parent—definitely not a wimp but needed to carry the little one when little legs needed a break) could turn back before things got real. Here's an early portion of the trail and attendant fabulous scenery:
More great scenery:
I believe that's the peak in question on the far right. At over 3500', it's the tallest point in the UK south of Scotland. Here it is, more at center stage...
...and here's a closer look, from further up the trail, on the section Henry took, but I didn't:
None of us climbed up to the top, but some people sure did! Here's another of Henry's shots:
 |
| click to enlarge and see the tiny hikers on the peak |
Not summitting definitely didn't mean not having a wonderfully enjoyable hike. For one thing, there were so many things to climb, near the trail...
...and off of it:
 |
| child in the red box is an intrepid granddaughter |
As well as lakes to throw rocks in: endless entertainment!
And those rocks weren't just fun for climbing and tossing. I loved seeing the veins of quartz that paralleled the trail for long stretches:
Here's a closeup of a specimen closer to the trail:
 |
| such a brilliant white in the sunshine! |
Here's a closeup of a specimen closer to the trail:
I've been a rockhound since I was a kid, and I never tire of the beauty of exposed geological features.
A picturesque plot of ruins made a nice place to stop for our lunch, especially since it marked the end of the easy stretch of trail:
And then the non-wimps started off:
Just looking at that unevenly paved section reinforced my plan to stop here, even though I had my trusty hiking poles. Just looks like an ankle-twisting waiting to happen!
None of our party suffered any injuries, though, and we eventually met up with them at a convenient pub/snack bar back at the trailhead. But before that, Henry got some spectacular photos, like this dramatic shot:
And here are the ruins where we lunched, from 'way, 'way up the trail:
More fun was on offer for those in the climbing group with energy to spare...
...but it did get chillier the higher they went; notice the coats here:
What a wonderful way to spend our last day in Wales! Please notice again, in these photos, what fantastic weather we had for the hike!
Our UK adventure was coming to an end, but we had one more special stop to make before returning to the land of E Pluribus Unum. Stay tuned!
No comments:
Post a Comment