Dartmoor Photowalk 46 Plan B Legis & Gutter Tors

Dartmoor Photowalk 46 Plan B Legis & Gutter Tors

This week heavy rain was once again forecast for the morning and mid-late afternoon so I scoured the weather maps to see if I could find a big enough break in the rains to get a dry photowalk in. I decided on a loop from Gutter Tor Refuge Car Park to Ditsworthy Warren House over to Legis Tor then back to the car park via Gutter Tor. The rain was supposed to clear through by 11.30 but be back by 14.30 so I had 3 hours if I was to stay dry, for this reason I decided to pack light (Fuji X-T2s) and just shoot hand-held for speed.

Ditsworthy Warren House.




Gutter Tor.




I parked at the Gutter Tor Refuge Car Park, after a kindly Farmer had moved this Dartmoor roadblock for me (they wouldn’t budge for me no matter what I did).




I quickly got underway as the roadblock had cost me about 15 minutes, the route to Ditsworthy Warren House is on a firm track big enough for 4x4s (if you are an “authorised vehicle”) I shot this view looking back towards the car park with Sheeps Tor catching some sunlight.




As I made my way along the track I passed under Gutter Tor.




After Gutter Tor there is an “S” Bend in the track as it crosses Gutter Mire which was very full, in the distance are the trees that surround The Gutter Tor Refuge.




It wasn’t long before I reached Ditsworthy Warren House.




From here my next objective was Legis Tor, the River Plym was very swollen so I stayed on the higher ground, there is a good track most of the way to the Tor.




As I made my way over to Legis Tor I looked back to Ditsworthy Warren House, it was in some nice light but behind it was a sign of things to come.




I pressed on there are some good views of Trowlesworthy Tors across Meavy Pool in the foreground but looking Southeast the light was harsh and contrasty.




As I got closer to Legis Tor there was a Hunt coming the other way, I had heard them for some time and now they were with me at the Newtake Boundary.




Soon the others came over the hill.




From here I followed the Newtake Boundary.




It wasn’t long before I was on the Eastern side of Legis Tor the skies to the Southwest were quite picturesque.




There was a lot of difference in the conditions looking East towards Trowlesworthy Tors another indication of that incoming weather.




I set off towards Gutter Tor, I was aiming for the Trig Point which is about 250m from the main Tor. On the way in the middle of nowhere I found this old Gate Post standing alone.




As I pressed on the Trig Point the light was becoming very typical of stormy weather this shot was looking up Gutter Tor Northwards.




This was looking back South towards Legis Tor and beyond to the Lee Moor Clay Works eventually on to the Channel.




I quickly pressed on to the top and the Trig Point.







Then on to the main Tor.




By now I could feel the rain in the air and the wind was picking up so I set off back to the car. On the way I stopped to get this shot of Gutter Mire from the side of the track.




I got back to the car just in time, as I started to drive off the rain came and it was once again heavy. I decided to call in to Burrator Reservoir on the way home, there are a few Cormorants that use the floating debris filters as a perch and I thought I might get a shot.




Looking beyond them to Leather Tor the main storm coming in again, I was glad I wasn’t still on the hill.




That’s all for this week folks, as always comments welcome.

Tags: Ditsworthy warren house Stormy weather Dartmoor Photowalk Legis Tor Dartmoor Gutter Tor Dartmoor