Moel y Gaer and Around Halkyn Mountain 26th Jamuary 2019

The Clwydians from Moel y Gaer Hillfort ramparts.,

Res-y-cae and Halkyn Mountain ahead.

Lunch time in a small quarry North of Pen-y-pwll-dwr quarry.

The Clwydians from the trig point on Halkyn Mountain.

The Dee estuary from the trig point on Halkyn Mountain.

The route to Windmill from the trig point on Halkyn Mountain.

Walk stats: Distance 8.1 miles. Climb: 1506' (Wind assisted GPS reading). Realistically about 900' (Memory Map).

Time: 3 hours 56 minutes. On the move walking average: 2.6 m.p.h. Overall walk average: 2.0 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn and Jim.

We weren't sure what weather to expect, but strong gusty winds and rain were on the forecasts for later in the day.

In fact it was quite mild and at times sunny, and the wind di pick up just before lunch time, but we only felt a few spots of rain as we arrived back at the car. 

 Distant views from Moel y Gaer Hillfort were quite good, but the summit of Moel Famau was in cloud.

 In the recent past, the path on the West side of North of Pen-y-pwll-dwr quarry had been closed while work by the quarry owners was taking place. Thankfully the route was now  open, so we didn't have to take any detours to get to the North  side of the quarry.

 As we climbed the track between Bryn Mawr Quarry and Pen yr Henblas Quarry the wind picked. Approaching lunch time we started to look for a suitable sheltered spot, and eventually decided on a small quarry North of Pen-y-Pwll-dwr quarry which we had used in the past.

 Plenty of stones were available to sit on and for the whole of lunch we we bathed in warm sunshine and the wind seemed to have dropped a little.

After lunch we arrived at the trig point on Halkyn Mountain and Moel Famau was still in cloud. It was only as we crossed Halkyn Mountain towards Windmill that the wind increased in strength, but it never gusted to the extent that some forecasters had predicted.

 We arrived back at the car, having had a good walk, still dry although our boots were muddy underneath.

 Birds seen or heard today included: Woodpigeon, House sparrow, Collared dove, Jackdaw, Meadow pipit, Fieldfare and European robin.

 after walk drinks wee enjoyed at the Blue Bell In at Halkyn, where Weetwood's Best Bitter and Gwyn-y-Draig's Black dragon cider went down well