Friday 12 August 2022

TODMORDEN: Gauxholme

Today Mick and Neil M. returned to the path just above Bacup Road (Todmorden 111) to complete the waymarking (see 29 July). We dug in three posts that we had left in situ on our previous visit, and also a post we brought up today, and finally an old one we found on the ground off the route! 

The start of the uphill slog.



It's worth noting that although the path looks innocent enough in the photo, you soon find yourself crossing a very rough and very wet stream bed (this in the middle of a drought!). Now that we have festooned the route with new waymarks it may be worth considering what we can do to make this portion more walker-friendly. The rest of it, although steep and rough in places, shouldn't be beyond seasoned Calder Valley walkers. Every post is now visible from its neighbours (if you know where to look) and some have direction signs to make sure you can't go wrong.

Past the junction with 112 we went to look at the stile & gate approaching Dean Farm, and found all in order. For variety we returned at the higher level, attaching a few more direction signs as we went, and descended by Naze Road, a well-made packhorse trail where Fieldens once transported their cotton between their mill and the dealers in Manchester.


Back at the starting point - Mick contemplates a job well done.


This work funded by individual donations to CROWS - thanks to all donors.