[Closed] Sticks Pass to Glenridding - is this a good descent?

It's ok. From memory, there's some techy singletracky stuff near the top and then a steep rocky bit lower down. Harder than the main track down but easier than Grisedale. Personally, I'd chose Grisedale every time.

Keppel Cove is the best way down, or head North and circumnavigate the Dodds and drop to the Coach Road.

Very much yes. It really is exceptionally good

Keppel Cove is the best way down

Keppel Cove is poo, just very fast and gravelly 🙁

simonfbarnes - Member

Keppel Cove is poo, just very fast and gravelly

+1 Sticks Pass is a far more interesting descent than either Keppel Cove or over to the Coach Road.

Start your ride at the bottom of Sticks Pass, but at the Thirlmere end. Head along the road for a bit, then in to the forest at High Park Wood. When you pop out of the forest, sharp left and up Comb Craggs onto Birk Side, then up to Helvellyn. Head down to White Side, then Raise. Left at Sticks back to your car.

This last descent is brilliant!

Best ways up IMO are Over the Dodds or keppel cove as both are pretty much all rideable.... if you have the legs! Best ways down IMO Dollywagon to Patterdale or Sticks into Glenridding, both cracking descents.

thanks all. looks like i need to try out both sides of sticks pass 8)

[i]paulrockliffe - Member

When you pop out of the forest, sharp left and up Comb Craggs onto Birk Side, then up to Helvellyn[/i]

Paul...have you ever tried that as a descent ? It's one on my 'to do' list.

looks like i need to try out both sides of sticks pass

I've not climbed the Thirlmere side but I'm told it's very souldestroying 🙁 As, in fact, are all the climbs on that side of the ridge...

No I haven't, I've always just seen it as the most efficient way of getting to the top. To be honest, I've only done Helvellyn the one way, I guess whent he first route you try is *that* good it's difficult to risk all that effort getting to the top for another way that might not be as good.

I also haven't been up for 5+ years for various reasons, but my memory of the way up was of large sections being paved and it generally being a bit dull. Could be wrong though.

To the OP, my route would be as I suggested, but go RIGHT at Sticks Pass, down to Patterdale, then push back up so you do both Sticks descents. Real-man route.

I can imagine you wouldn't enjoy climbing out of Thirlmere up Sticks Pass, would be very heavy going underfoot in places. Patterdale is rockier though isn't it, so would be a better climb. Hence my modified route above!

paulrockliffe, yes a real man's route! although maybe backup keppel cove for a change of scene!!

Going up Sticks Pass from Thirlmere isn't too bad really. There's an initial steep carry for about 20 minutes then the rest is pretty ridable. Cheers for the advice on Birkside Paul.

Anyone done the path from Helvellyn summit over Brown Crag?

Been on the list for a while, I expect it's very steep though and I'm always a little wary of losing altitude too quickly!