Maesglase
| Maesglase | |
| Merionethshire | |
|---|---|
| |
| Summit: | 2,211 ft SH817150 52°43’12"N, 3°45’11"W |
Maesglase is a mountain in Snowdonia, Merionethshire, situated approximately four miles to the south-west of Aran Fawddwy. It is the highest of the "Dovey Hills".[1]
It can be reached by an easy but steep walk through the forestry from Dinas Mawddwy or directly from the mountain pass on the A470 road. Ascending Maesglase provides an opportunity to climb several other nearby peaks including Maen-Du, Craig Rhiw-erch, Waun-oer, Craig Portas and Cribin Fawr which are linked by a series of ridges and arêtes.
The precise location of the summit is the subject of some confusion. Traditionally, the top of Maen Du (2,211 feet at SH823152) was regarded as Maesglase's summit. However, more recent surveys suggest that the top of Craig Rhiw-erch (c 2,218 feet at SH817150, some 660 yards to the west) is higher.[2] The geomorphology of these mountains is classical U-shaped glacial valleys with textbook examples of hanging valleys and intersecting valleys.
The eastern slopes are devoted to sheep farming whilst the western slopes are intensively forested.
Above the semi-improved grassland is some bracken but much of the higher ground is covered in typical Calluna / Erica communities interspersed with large areas of Juncus, Carex and Sphagnum bogs. The tops of Cribin Fawr are flat expanses of peat-hags. On the eastern flanks Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) grows in abundance with Cowberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) common on the highest ground.
Half a mile to the west of the peak of Cribin Fawr at a high point of 2,162 feet is a stone boundary marker dated 1861 and inscribed CCC and bearing a benchmark. Maesglase waterfall has a total height of 525 ft.
References
- ↑ Nuttall, John & Anne (1999). The Mountains of England & Wales - Volume 1: Wales (2nd edition ed.). Milnthorpe: Cicerone. ISBN 1-85284-304-7.
- ↑ Dawson, Alan. "RHB Update". Archived from the original on 2006-10-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20061004151827/http://www.rhb.org.uk/marhofn/marhofn49/rhbupdat.htm. Retrieved 2006-10-06.