Start of a brilliant ridge leading to the Bluestacks

Started at the Old School House in the Reelan River Valley and followed the Sli na Finne over open hillside, forest track and a quiet country lane. This was some 10km away from the summit, though it made sense for the circuit I had planned, accessing the main Bluestacks via the ridge starting with Cronamuck. Stopped for a good chat with a women hanging out her washing who knew the names of the hills I was about to climb much better than me :-)

Followed a track off the road at A (H0118 9424) which crossed the Owengarve River. This went past a house where I was prepared to ask permission though didn't see anyone. I had to open/close a couple of gates after the house on an old bog track. A further river crossing of the Owendoo River is required, though without the aid of a bridge this time. It was fairly easy for me to cross and I would expect this to be much more difficult after wet weather.

It was a good climb up Cronamuck, though nowhere near as steep as its distant profile had suggested. The views up the Owendoo River Valley were stunning and with height the corrie lough of Cronloughan, nestled below Glascarns Hill became visible. With height the grass satisfyingly gave way increasingly to rock- as with many of the hills in the Bluestacks.

There are a number of little tops on the summit and the area is well worth exploring for the outstanding views in all directions. There is also a beautiful little lough that is well worth visiting to gather breath or some water. A great ridge walk was laid out before me to Croaghbarnes and then on to the main Bluestacks. This was a great alternative to my traditional route up Glacarns Hill, though did clock up quite a few extra km :-) Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/638/comment/20898/

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Exhausting, But Worth It

Cronamuck was my third peak of this walk, having started north of Lough Eske, and already taken in Croaghbarnes and Meenanea. I am constantly amazed at the length of some of the walks undertaken by members here, but I can only judge my efforts by my own standards, and I found this walk very tiring over difficult ground. But, the stage from Meenanea to Cronamuck was probably the easiest part of the walk, and the extra distance was so short, it would have been inconceivable not to do it. Especially since I'd failed to reach Cronamuck on a previous attempt from the north. As Simon had predicted in his Short Summary, the rivers on that approach had proved impassable after a period of heavy rains. Those same rivers now viewed from the summit, provided some of the best views, along with the many other surrounding peaks. It had been a thoroughly enjoyable walk, but it was hard going on the way back. I avoided the ascent and descent of Croaghbarnes on the return leg, staying on low ground on its southern side, but this was probably equally hard - boggy, with tussocky grass. As usual, when I got back to the car, I was exhausted but very happy. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/638/comment/17929/

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It's out there

Cornamuck reached after earlier visiting, Croaghbarnres and Meenanea Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/638/comment/23828/

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murphysw on Cronamuck

Walked from Barnesmore Gap to Commeen and Cronamuck. The views from the summit are superb and climbing the mountain from the Commeen side would be straightforward. As a child I used to think Cronamuck looked an Irish Ayers Rock! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/638/comment/3176/

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As tough as they come.

As tough a Carn as possible given its relative remoteness. Our journey from the SW was an exhausting 17km and over 7 hours (see track 4871). The shot shows Cronamuck on the left and Meenanea on the right taken from the Croaghbarnes ridge. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/638/comment/23943/

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