Bakestall

Bakestall
Bakestall and Dead Crags with the bulk of Skiddaw behind in cloud. Seen from Great Cockup 3 km to the north.
Highest point
Elevation	673 m (2,208 ft)
Prominence	c. 8 m
Parent peak	Skiddaw
Listing	Wainwright
Coordinates	54°39′58″N 3°08′22″W / 54.66601°N 3.13952°W / 54.66601; -3.13952Coordinates: 54°39′58″N 3°08′22″W / 54.66601°N 3.13952°W / 54.66601; -3.13952
Geography
Bakestall Location in Lake District, UK
Location	Cumbria, England
Parent range	Lake District, Northern Fells
OS grid	NY266307
Topo map	OS Landranger 89, 90 OS Explorer 4

Bakestall is a fell in the English Lake District, it is situated seven kilometres north of Keswick in the quieter, even secluded northern sector of the national park known as "Back o' Skiddaw".

Bakestall reaches a height of 673 m (2,208 ft) and strictly speaking it is not a separate fell being just an insignificant rise on Skiddaw’s northern slopes. Alfred Wainwright gave Bakestall a separate chapter in his Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells because of the impressive Dead Crags which fall beneath the summit and the fine waterfall of Whitewater Dash at the fells foot. Indeed Bakestall was not even mentioned on the old Ordnance Survey one inch map for many years, a situation now rectified on its metric equivalent probably because of Wainwright drawing attention to the fell.

Dead Crags are composed of Skiddaw Slate and drop 150 metres (500 feet) down into the corrie on the northern side of the fell. The crags do not attract rock climbers because of the crumbly nature of the slate, the crag has much vegetation growing within it. Whitewater Dash is highly rated as one of the finest falls in the national park as Dash Beck descends in a series of cataracts; were it situated in a more accessible part of the Lake District it would be a major attraction. Bakestall had a lead mine on its slopes many years ago, the adit is situated at the side of Dead Beck on the western periphery of the fell. All drainage from Bakestall goes north to join Dash Beck and then to Bassenthwaite Lake.

Bakestall can be climbed as part of the less crowded northern approach to Skiddaw using the rough track to Skiddaw House (part of the Cumbria Way) as far as Whitewater Dash falls and then ascending Birkett Edge to reach the summit. A fence can be followed up Birkett Edge although walking at the side of the corrie edge gives an opportunity to examine the crags. From the summit of Bakestall it is a two kilometre walk south west and then south with 275 metres of ascent to reach the summit of Skiddaw.