Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Carnedd Wen

 

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

Upper Park (SJ 189 052)

Permission to visit Upper Park is rarely given.  To my knowledge the last time this was granted was in May 2012.  Ten years has now elapsed and Powis Estate has just granted permission to visit this hill to the Relative Hills Society (RHSoc).

The enquiry from RHSoc coincided with the date of their annual dinner, which this year was being held in Shifnal, Shropshire.  As Upper Park was only a relative short distance from here they contacted the Estate and permission was duly given to visit the hill.  In the interim RHSoc asked if I would be their guest speaker for the evening and whether I would like to join society members on Upper Park.  I said yes to both invitations.

Wanting a leisurely stroll to the summit and also to include the adjacent Cromwell Hill, I set off at 11.00am, a good hour before members of RHSoc planned to meet.  Upper Park is the highest point of Powis Park and an ascent is always an enjoyable walk through managed woodland via the Estate grounds.  The summit of the hill is situated in Crown Wood, which consists of mixed deciduous trees.  Near the high point are grazing fields with managed mixed woodland surrounding the upper part of the hill.

As I set off following a track toward the surrounding woodland the sun gave welcome warmth to proceedings.  I soon heard a quad bike and turned to wave, it stopped and Michael Shaw with gun slung across his shoulder said hello.  Michael is a gamekeeper working for the Estate and we talked for 15 minutes or so.  I explained I was a part of the organised walk with Jack Cavanagh from the Estate giving us permission to visit. 

Michael Shaw

As Michael left and sped upward on the forest track I slowly followed.  An occasional Red Wood shot skyward, interspersed amongst other trees of many varieties; the sun cast dabbled light through this canopy giving an engaging feel to the surroundings.  I had been in no particular hurry, but talking with Michael now meant I needed to set a reasonable pace or the society members may reach the summit before me and head down before my arrival.

The track led toward the bwlch between Cromwell Hill and Upper Park and gave occasional extended views south-westward, with Corndon standing out framed by summered greened fields. 

Corndon

Cromwell Hill is always a pleasure to visit and gives extended views which this morning took in the main Aran ridge, the two distinct summits of Arenig Fawr, Cadair Idris and the main Berwyn ridge, whilst the summit of its higher neighbour is wooded and therefore the view is limited. 

Cromwell Hill (SJ 182 048)

I was soon plodding my way up toward the summit, following an indistinct sheep path leading toward the high point, occasionally stopping and looking back to the mixed woodland surrounding the high point of Upper Park.  It felt good to be back here on such a beautiful day. 

The view of Corndon from Cromwell Hill

Leaving the summit I headed back down and used gates to access the upper field beside the wooded area of Upper Park.  Since my last visit much of the fence surrounding the high grazing fields adjacent to Crown Wood and the small building of the Summer House have been electrified.

I was soon in the wood walking between trees with undergrowth consisting of brambles interspersed amongst bluebells.  It was quiet except for the occasion loud nasal roar of a cow, with a large herd in the adjacent field and no doubt this is why the perimeter fence has now been electrified. 

Bluebells - always a delight to see during May

Finding the high point of the hill in the wood is not difficult and I stood there for a while soaking in the tranquil ambiance and enjoying the delicate colour of the bluebells.

Eventually I headed down to the gate giving access to the track that the RHSoc members would be ascending, and followed the course of another track down to the Summer House where I sat and enjoyed a bite to eat.  I imagined I would be relaxing for at least 30 – 40 minutes before anyone appeared.  However, all too soon the first RHSoc members started to appear with their heads glimpsed above the intervening upper grassed ridge of the adjacent field, followed soon afterward by many more. 

The Breiddin from the Summer House

I headed their way through the throng of cows and joined the 27 or so people who were now heading toward the gate giving access to the wood and summit.  We stayed on top for a while before Rick suggested descending the route I had taken on my ascent. 

RHSoc members meet the cows

Rick Salter - Chair of RHSoc

It was good to meet a number of society members, many of whom were names I had heard but had not yet met.  The pleasant walk down was followed by a short leisurely drive home before Suzanne called and away we went toward Shifnal for a very enjoyable evening. 

 

Survey Result: 

 

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) 

 

 

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)  

 

 

For the post detailing the survey of these two hills

For the post detailing the 2^nd visit to these two hills

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet