gerrym on Mullaghclogha

PART 3. Following on from Mullaghclogher it is a case of following the fence down and over the poor relation of Mullaghasturrakeen (what lacks in stature makes up for in name). The ground can be very wet in places and there are some rare small pools of water. The sun had appeared again after threatening to rain and I was climbing up the fenceline to a deep blue sky. The summit is another exciting meeting of fences but again this is offset by the view which encompasses all those I have described in previous comments for the Sperrins. The view further E to Sawel and Dart (2 highest tops in Sperrins) immediately catch the eye (and breath?) - see pic. From here I followed the fence NW and then NE as came down the northern shoulder, a left fork drops further into the valley reaching and crossing first one and then another river. The ground got very wet here for a time. This was crossing the valley back towards Mullaghclogher and not wanting to have the long road walk it was a case of climbing 1,000 ft back up to the summit. With no more food it was a last cup of tea out of the flask to keep me going as reached summit and then northern cairn atop Mullaghcarbatagh. The sun was setting and I got some stunningly colourful views out west to the clear profile of the Bluestack Mountains. I then followed fence down past conifers which goes all the way to the road and would probably be an easier starting route. Reach metal gate, turn right and short walk uphill back to car. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/223/comment/1520/

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gerrym on Mullaghclogha

This approach comes in from the N of the Sperrins, not from the usual Genelly Valley side. I followed a rough lane ,which was signed as a dead end (A (H526 982)), uphill to park next to an abandoned house (B (H528 976)). Climb the gate and continue uphill across a green field to reach a fence - follow until reach a junction and cross onto the hillside. Uphill NE to reach a col and fenceline heading across the tops, over some deep heather in places. This was a cracking day and the ground was tinder dry - heavily cracked peat and bone dry stream beds had me thinking of Spain rather than the wet Sperrins. I followed the fenceline SE with views across the valley to Mullaghclogher and Mullaghcarbatagh, disturbing a grouse on the way. As gain height views open up N & W to Benevenagh cliffs, Slieve Snaght and Ragtin More, Muckish and the Derryveaghs and the Bluestacks. As i stopped for a short rest bees buzzed around me and birds twittered, accompanying the gentle push of the wind and the heat of the sun.

There are a steady series of rises, following the fence to the summit area, where it bears right (C (H558 963)) giving great views over to Sawel and Dart and the lesser tops vying for position behind (1.5 hrs). There is a short stroll up to a small cairn and then a meeting of several fencelines, giving a view along the entire lenght of the Glenelly Valley. Follow fence downhill to SW easily for 10 mins to the broad col, usually wet but fine today. The long broad shoulder of Mullaghasturrakeen reachs up from the Glenelly Valley below to the rounded top, which is an easy climb following the fence. Contiune W towards the next top of Mullaghclogher, tyre tracks from a farmers quad bike attest to the ease of access to these hills by the numerous tracks from the S. Pass a normally wet area and then drop further to col with Mullaghclogher - there is an area of rock just to the right here which is an excellent spot for a rest and some shelter. There is a straight as a dye ascent from the col, which is steep at times. Meet another fence and follow it uphill to the L to reach the non descript summit of joined fences. There are unhindered views on most compass points before drop and rise yet again to the gem of a summit that is Mullaghcarbatagh. This is the end of the long line of hills through the Glenelly Valley and it does feel like a proper end, though there are some smaller hills further to the W. There was a bird of prey hovering over the forest on the slopes below as i dropped down along the rocky ridge NW. Pick up a fence and follow it downhill into the Glengarrow, walking through peat hags down to a track beside Burn Dennet river. There is a beautiful waterfall an pool here (D (H528 970)). Follow the track uphill and then find an easy crossing point of another stream and join the track which leads back down to where the car is parked. This walk took 5.5 hours and I had the hills to myself and the amazing views that came with them. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/223/comment/950/

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There

I walked Mullaghlogha recently despite some difficult conditions. I parked near the cattle grid at the top of the Park Rd as most other spots had grit and salt piles set in them. From here it was a quick walk to Learmount South and onwards to the big Mullagh following the fences as I went. Most of the fences seem to have been replaced recently so there was a clear track adjacent to it. Whilst this was welcome after gambling between what was solid snow and ice or thin ice covered calf-deep bog (which I found out twice the hard way) it definitely took away from the remoteness of the spot and a fair bit of the challenge.
The snow and sleet faded after i reached the top and started to descend- showing off Sawel, Dart, Binevenagh in the distance and much more inbetween.
The ice growing off the wire fence to create 3" open ice boxes was a highlight :-) I'll go back for the rest of the Mullaghs on a better day! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/223/comment/17856/

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dr_banuska on Mullaghclogha

Continued from Mullaghasturrakeen entry, this walk takes in the two highest peaks of 'the Mullaghs' in a circular route starting from a parking spot at Glenelly Road, Parkreagh (H543 927). From the latter's summit, the route to Mullaghclogha is apparent enough: simply follow the fenceline down and up again to the higher peak. Normally this would be a typical enough slog over boggy ground, but progress was hampered by the deep snow. Thankfully though, it wasn't as tough going here and I stayed close to the fence for the most part, venturing out a little where the ground was easier to negotiate beyond.

The summit, once again, was an uninspring meeting if fences - quite disappointing really seeing as this is the second highest summit in the range and the highest peak in Tyrone (if not its highest point - that belongs to a spot just south of the summit of Sawel). The view now included Dart and Sawel to the W, various other peaks on either side of the Glenelly Valley such as Carnanelly and Mullaghsallagh and NE to Benbradagh near Dungiven. I had a quick lunch in the slight shelter of the fence junction then set off again.

I could've retraced my steps: down and up again to Mullaghasturrakeen, then back down to the parking spot, but the thought of braving waist-high snow again on the latter mountain was too much. In any case, I always prefer taking a different route back. I therefore followed the fence that headed SE towards the valley, even though this would involve a long road walk. This was straightforward enough, just beware of stray wire close to the bottom of the fence. This side was also a little rockier than the one I'd ascended. As I descended I could clearly see the distinctive yellow(ish) chapel in the village of Cranagh.

As I approached farmland and fence junctions, there were options either to aim for Glenchiel Road to my right or a track marked on the map to my left. The former would've brought me out very slightly closer to my start point but I opted for the track simply beause it was easier to get to (i.e lower fences to negotiate). The track starts off grassy but after crossing a gate becomes surfaced and joins the B47 at E (H580 925), between a modern and an older house, a short distance W of Cranagh (signed from road as a dead end). From here it was a lengthy road walk W then uphill again to the car, maybe 3 miles. I didn't mind mind too much though, with the picturesque views S of the valley towards the lower hills and Barnes Gap. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/223/comment/4470/

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Highest Actual Peak in Tyrone.

The highest peak in Tyrone, if not the highest point, that honour going to Sawel. I climbed it from Mullaghasturrakeen, as part of a walk from Mullaghclogha, having missed out Mullaghcarbatagh due to a navigational error, (see comment on Mullaghclogha). This was a very warm, sunny day allowing the Sperrins to look their best, and the route from the previous peak was easy to identify, with a fence for guidance. Not too difficult despite some steep parts and boggy ground. Magnificent views in all directions, although a slight heat haze limited the potential. I thought Mullaghcarbatagh had been missed for the day, but the lure of another Arderin was too strong, so it was back the way I came, ascending Mullaghasturrakeen and Mullaghclogha for the second time in the day. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/223/comment/15960/

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