Dartmoor Photowalk 28 Leather Tor, Black Tor Falls

Dartmoor Photowalk 28 Leather Tor, Black Tor Falls

This week I went to Leather Tor via Sharpitor and Peek Hill then down to Leather Tor Farm and Bridge before going over to Black Tor Falls then back to the car via Leeden Tor. It was a mixed bag of weather with the recent heatwave giving way to thundery showers. I took the Fuji GFX 50S as it has weather sealing (just in case) as well as my usual X-T2.

Black Tor Falls.




Leather Tor.




I parked underneath Leeden Tor, first up was Sharpitor, straight up from the car park.




This is a very rocky Tor surrounded by lots of Clitter.




The weather forecast was for thundery showers coming from the West arriving around midday so I set off early again to try to be in Raddick Plantation by the time the rains arrived. Looking West at around nine o’clock I didn’t give much chance of staying dry for long. I don’t mind getting wet but it is a pain trying to keep rain spots off the front lens elements.




From the top of Sharpitor I went across to Peek Hill there are good views of Burrator Reservoir from there, I set up the GFX for a shot.




I then headed for Leather Tor the rains were just about on me so I donned waterproofs. The scene at Leather Tor was nice enough to warrant setting up the GFX again this time for a panorama including Sheeps Tor on the right.




There was a good view of Burrator Reservoir from here too.




With the rain now on me I made my way down to Raddick Plantation heading for Leather Tor Farm. The route down was very rocky at first with chest high Bracken to wade through.




It broke out into a clearing that even after this heatwave was very wet underfoot with Cottongrass indicating boggy ground.




I made my way through the bog happy that the heatwave had dried it out somewhat.




I finally emerged at a track junction.




On from here I followed the track which took me to Leather Tor Farm, time to break out the GFX again sheltering as best I could under the trees.







After the farm it was just a short walk to the bridge as the rain came down even more and now the thunder was here (I was glad I had some shelter in the plantation). Despite the rain I set up the tripod again with the GFX trying desperately to keep the lens front element dry.







I had forgotten about Midges in the humidity so hadn’t put any spray on, I was being eaten alive, one last shot before heading away from the Midges.




By now the tracks were getting wet and muddy.




I broke clear of the plantation but the rain and thunder were still with me, I made my way up to the Devonport Leat ready to go on to Black Tor Falls.




I followed the Leat to the River Meavy then on to Black Tor Falls.




I went down to the falls and set up the GFX, by now the weather had improved massively, no more rain or thunder.




There are also the remains of an old Blowing House beside the river.







After shooting the falls and remains I headed up Black Tor to find its Logan Stone, by now it was getting quite warm again.




The Logan Stone.




Next up was Leeden Tor.




As I made my way up Leeden Tor I heard a Chinook Helicopter in the distance, I looked for it and eventually it climbed out of the valley it had been flying in, it flew over towards Gutter Tor about 4 miles away.




The top of Leeden Tor has some very interesting rock formations.







I finally made my way down from the top through the old Settlements where there are clear remains of ancient Hut Circles.




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

Tags: Landscape and travel Black tor falls 52 Challenge Dartmoor Photowalk Leather Tor Farm and Bridge