Thursday 14th October 2021 - Ascent of Rivington Pike

       Please click on photos to see a larger one

I wanted to go up Rivington Pike as, as far as I can make out, I haven't been up since 28th December 2018!

I talked about it amongst friends and Ann volunteered to accompany me.  I didn't want to go on my own as I didn't know how I would manage.

Ann said we'd go on Tuesday if it wasn't raining, it was.  Then we postponed till Wednesday but it was still raining.  Thursday was the last chance as Ann was committed on Friday.  It looked like it could stay dry but there was a chance it might rain.  As Ann knew how much it meant to me she was willing to have a go.

We got away a little after 9:30

We arrived at the Belmont road car park a little before 10am having taken the wrong road off the M65!

We parked the car and set off up the hill.   I was full of trepidation in case I couldn't manage the climb.  We came to the bridge, Lever's Bridge, and walked up it to the level where the Italian Lake is

I haven't seen it with water in for some time.   We climbed up to the terrace you can see in the photos

and admired the view over the reservoirs, Yarrow, Anglezarke and Lower Rivington on the left

Looking back over the Italian Lake

We climbed up to the top level and walked along looking for the signs of the bungalow but the black and white mosaic tiles have gone.

On to the Pike and views from the top

Lower Rivington Reservoir where Lancashire council have a sail training facility.  Felt a touch of sadness that my sailing days are over.

Looking south is Bolton Wanderers football stadium, Jaja and Lloyd's club

Looking north towards the Tower

The windswept adventurers posing for proof of achievement

It was quite windy, a lazy wind as it blew straight through you so we decided to set off down.  This photo is our last look at the Pike.

We set off down determined to find the Japanese garden and Lake.   We spotted some volunteers and we asked them the way, they just said follow that path which we did.

We found it without any further trouble and were pleased to see it had some water in it.

We found a seat and sat down to rest and enjoy the surroundings

Rested, we set off to find the way down which we did without much concern.  Lever's Bridge which we'd crossed to climb up into the terraced gardens at the start

Ann on our way down.

We reached the car and ate our sandwiches before going down to the village hall cafe were we were naughty as I had a cake and Ann had a scone with cream and jam.

We came out of the cafe and drove round sightseeing on the way home, over the hill beside Anglezarke Quarry, past the Viewpoint, round the top of Anglezarke, past the Waterman's Cottage Heapey, Wheelton, Top Lock and Denham Hill Quarry.

The map Ann was looking at.  May help to plan our next visit

I'm delighted to record that I managed the climb with no difficulty so I'm looking forward eagerly to my next visit

A rewarding day out