Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Cowpe Moss

 

03.04.25  Cowpe Lowe (SD 823 206) 

Cowpe Lowe (SD 823 206)

This was the last of three hills visited during our stay at John Kirk’s house in Burnley, and it proved a fine hill to end our visit on.  Cowpe Lowe is relatively steep sided as it rises above the Rossendale Valley.  It was this valley that we approached from, having parked in the small community of Waterfoot and to be instantly greeted by an extremely friendly dog that stood up with its front paws on an intervening fence as we exited John’s car. 

Garage door and houses in Waterfoot

Sometimes in life it’s good to keep a map in its case in the rucksack and forget direction and navigation and be solely reliant upon your local guide who conveniently leads the way for you to follow.  In this instance the route was not difficult, but it’s still good to turn ones attention to the ground immediately in front and the ever expanding view behind.  This form of walking is especially good when the day is set fine, and today was such an example with blue skies above, although the easterly wind was adding a chilled feeling to proceedings. 

Houses in Waterfoot

Our route took us past a block of narrow dark stoned upright houses before swinging up the hill on a track leading to a farm.  The steep track continued beyond, now rutted through use and no doubt water flow when the weather is inclement, today it was dry and dusty with hedgerows blooming green and as height was gained; sky larks singing above.  It felt good to be out. 

The steep rutted track

The steepness of the rutted track eventually relented and gave way to an easier incline as its confines opened to high grazing fields as it contoured its way around the upper hill.  This led to a collapsed stone wall and gate which gave access to the open hill above. 

A gentler gradient contouring around the hill

Heading up the hill

Following another old stone wall for a few minutes took us up to options of narrow paths that led up the hill; all of which culminate at its high point which has a triangulation pillar proudly perched on top.  As we approached it was easy to distinguish that ground about two metres from its base was the highest and soon the Trimble was set up quietly beeping away collecting its individual datum points. 

Gathering data at the summit of Cowpe Lowe

During data collection John and Mark stood a safe distance away to the south so as not to disturb satellite reception.  I meanwhile scampered off to the north as the Trimble started to do its stuff, standing 50 metres of so away from it and scribbling all necessary detail in my surveying notebook.  Soon a figure approached on the path I had used to the top and where I was now standing.  I chatted to him as he arrived at my position and explained what I was doing and pointed to the Trimble as I did so, he kindly waited for three minutes as the equipment gathered the last few minutes of the five that is the norm for data collection.  He was on his lunch break and this was his usual daily exercise.  I thanked him for waiting as we headed toward the trig pillar, me to close the equipment down and him to walk around the trig and head back down the hill.  By the time the Trimble was packed away John and Mark were heading my way. 

The Trimble set-up position at the summit of Cowpe Lowe

We retraced our inward route back to the gate and partially collapsed stone wall where we stopped and sat sheltered from the wind to have a bite to eat.  During which a number of other walkers approached on the track from both directions, we said hello to all and conversed and laughed with many as they were told we were collecting hill walking tariffs, if they would like to contribute.

All that remained was to retrace our inward route back down the earthen track to the relative charm of Waterfoot and John’s awaiting car.  On our way back we stopped off to visit the Singing Ringing Tree.  This impressive sculpture was erected along with a series of other Panopticons between 2203 – 2007.  It stands a short distance from a car park, on the high moor overlooking Burnley.                                                               

John and Mark heading toward the Singing Ringing Tree

Standing beside it we caught the last startling direct light as the sun soon ventured behind high wisps of cloud.  It changed shape as I slowly walked around it and although a good easterly breeze blew it only made a few low toned noises today.  However, we were informed that when the wind really did blow it came in to its own and sang with all its might. 

The Singing Ringing Tree

Cowpe Lowe proved a fine hill to end our mini expedition on, with the added bonus of visiting the Singing Ringing Tree at the end, and I’m already looking forward to our next trip to Burnley planned for this upcoming September.

 

Survey Result:

 

Cowpe Lowe                              

Summit Height:  439.8m (converted to OSGM15, Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Summit Grid Reference:  SD 82346 20640 (Trimble GeoXH 6000)

Col Height:  403.3m (LIDAR)

Col Grid Reference:  SD 82735 20459 (LIDAR)

Drop:  36.4m (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR col)

Dominance:  8.28% (Trimble GeoXH 6000 summit and LIDAR col) 

 

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet