Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Carnedd Wen

 

10.01.21  Upper Park (SJ 189 052, previously Trimbled) and Cromwell Hill (SJ 182 048, previously Trimbled) 

Upper Park (SJ 189 052)

It was chilly at 7.00am as I set out on the canal towpath heading toward the main street in Welshpool.  Half an hour later and I was at the top of town adjacent to the Catholic Church and I could see a dimmed figure waving as she made her way up the pavement from the Raven. 

Our plan for the day was to visit Upper Park, this is the high point of Powys Park and sadly access is not encouraged, but as we were keeping to Covid restrictions and taking exercise from our front door we hoped our visit would not disturb anyone. 

From where we met, a track heads up opposite the Church and culminates at a field adjacent to an old solidly built stone wall whose boundary then continues as a high deer fence.  We were soon in the park following a vehicle track on the grassed field as dawn lightened our surroundings.  As we gained height the Breiddin dominated the easterly view, with their distinctive profile on display. 

Looking past Welshpool and Yr Allt toward the Breiddin

The field butts up against a large and mature plantation that continues toward the summit of the hill firstly as conifers and then mixed woodland.  It gives a good route toward the summit.  We were in the wood by 8.15am and quietly continued ever upward. 

8.15am and now in the wood

The track through the wood is at first indistinct, but soon turns to a better maintained track and the higher we got a sprinkling of snow on the ground showed that a vehicle had recently used it, as well as a myriad of animals with their prints criss-crossing in all directions. 

Crown Wood

Toward the high point the track reaches an open field were a chilled strong breeze blew across the hill.  A short distance further gave us access to Crown Wood; it is here that the summit of the hill is situated.  It was good to be back, but it is not an ascent I will repeat soon or encourage anyone else to do so, as the estate’s lack of access does not encourage walks to this wood. 

Approaching the summit of Upper Park

Close to the summit is a building known as Lady Powys’ Summer House.  It has a picnic bench outside which was dry and well sheltered.  After visiting the high point we sat at the bench and enjoyed lunch and a well-earned rest for half an hour or so. 

Lady Powys' Summer House from the summit of Upper Park

Dinner time - yummy!!!

After tea and boiled eggs we walked across the upper field and headed down to the bwlch that connects with Cromwell Hill.  We were soon at its summit looking out toward Y Golfa and further in the distance sun glinted off the higher summits of the Y Berwyn.  It was grey immediately above with intermittent misted murk sweeping across the hill, but the higher hills to our north-west remained in sunlight whilst we were on these two summits. 

Cromwell Hill (SJ 182 048)

It was now downhill all the way, and after reversing our route back to the bwlch we connected with one of many tracks that led down through the plantation toward Powys Castle.  On the way we met two sets of estate workers, both were extremely friendly and helpful, directing us toward the best route and gates to use.  Once on the upper part of the Red Lane we headed down to the canal towpath and used this to walk back in to Welshpool. 

 

Survey Result: 

 

Upper Park

Summit Height:  354.0m (converted to OSGM15, from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey) (significant height revision)

Summit Grid Reference:  SJ 18980 05270 (from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey) (summit relocation confirmed)

Bwlch Height:  177.0m (converted to OSGM15, from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SJ 16792 05090 (from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Drop:  177.0m (from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Dominance:  49.99% (from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey) (Lesser Dominant status retained)

 

 

 

Cromwell Hill (significant name change)

Summit Height:  343.2m (converted to OSGM15, from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey))

Summit Grid Reference:  SJ 18222 04885 (from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Bwlch Height:  303.8m (converted to OSGM15, from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey))

Bwlch Grid Reference:  SJ 18565 05114 (from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Drop:  39.3m (from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

Dominance:  11.47% (from previous Trimble GeoXH 6000 survey)

 

 

For the post detailing the survey of these two hills

For the post detailing the 3rd visit to these two hills

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet