Easedale Tarn

Easedale Tarn as seen on the ascent of Blea Rigg, Helvellyn is seen in the background.

Easedale Tarn

Location in the Lake District National Park

Show map of the Lake District

Easedale Tarn

Location in South Lakeland, Cumbria

Show map of the former South Lakeland district

Location| Lake District, United Kingdom
Coordinates| 54°28′10″N 3°04′11″W﻿ / ﻿54.4695°N 3.0696°W﻿ / 54.4695; -3.0696
Type| tarn
Primary outflows| Sourmilk Gill
Max. length| 480 metres (1,570 ft)
Max. width| 300 metres (980 ft)

Easedale Tarn is a tarn in the centre of the English Lake District, about two miles west of the village of Grasmere. It lies in a hollow between Tarn Crag to the north and Blea Rigg to the south, about 910 feet or 280 metres above sea level. The hollow was formed by a small corrie glacier, and is believed to have filled with water around 11,000 years ago when the ice finished melting.

Easedale Tarn is one of the larger tarns in the district, about 480 metres (1,570 ft) long and 300 metres (980 ft) wide. Its outflow is Sourmilk Gill, named after the milky white colour of its waterfalls, which runs east towards Grasmere. The gill displays impressive water scenery when seen from Grasmere, and from the path to the tarn.

The tarn is a popular destination for walkers. Many people climb the path from Grasmere which overlooks Sourmilk Gill. The ascent was popular during the Victorian period, and a refreshment hut was even established in the 19th century by Robert Hayton of Grasmere above the outlet of the tarn to service the thirsty visitors. The hut is long gone, and nettles now grow where the ruins used to be.[1]

## References

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1. ^ Wainwright, A., A Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells, Book 3, Francis Lincoln, 2007.

## External links

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* Lake District Walks - Easedale Tarn Walks Near Grasmere Archived 14 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
* The Easedale refreshment hut\- historical sources including pictures