SUMMIT OF HELVELLYN. 215 



Pike. There are three modes of ascent from the 

 Grasmere side ; — the one by Grisedale Tarn : 

 another from Wythburn ; and a third further on 

 from Legberthwaite. The one from Wythburn 

 is the shortest, but by much the steepest, — ■ the 

 track beginning at once to climb the hill opposite 

 the Horse's Head. The gushing stream which 

 crosses the mailroad near the Horse's Head comes 

 down from Brownrigg's well, — the spring which 

 refreshes the traveller on his way up or down, 

 — bursting from the mountain-side within 300 

 yards from the summit. There are two cairns on 

 two summits, not far apart, from between which, 

 in an angle in the hill, the best view to the north 

 is obtained. These Men, (as such piles of stones 

 are called) mark the line between Cumberland and 

 Westmorland. Northwards, the view is bounded 

 by the Scotch mountains, with the Solway at their 

 feet. Nearer stands Saddleback, with Skiddaw a 

 little to the left. Kepel Cove Tarn lies below, with 

 Catchedecam on the right. Eastwards, Red Tarn 

 lies immediately below, between its two solemn 

 precipices. Ullswater shines beyond, its nearer 

 bank fringed by Gowbarrow Park; and Crossfell 

 closes in the view afar. The Troutbeck mountains 

 here peep over Striding Edge. Kirkstone and 

 Fairfield rise to the south ; and over the latter, 

 there is a peep at Windermere, and sometimes, in 

 clear weather, a glimpse of Lancaster Castle. 

 Esthwaite Water and the sea in Morecambe Bay 

 are seen at the same time. Blackcombe is caught 

 sight of through Wrynose Gap ; and the Coniston 

 range and Langdale Pikes lead the eye round to 

 the superior summits at the head of Wastdale and 



