The colours of the trees were fantastic with purple, orange, brown tinges. The sun was out in parts and there was a blistering cold wind. Before long, the path splits into two. We took the upper path above Jobson's Close which passes an entrance to a cave. Here you have a choice of two directions to go. To the left or to the right of the cave. We took the path to the right which skirts along the parallel to the edge of the water and Loughrigg Terrace, with views over Grasmere and Helm Cragg.
At the foot of the lake there is a path to the left which is a fairly sharp climb to the top of Loughrigg. At this intersection of paths there was a flood of walkers approaching from the opposite direction. Presumably because you can park closer on the road that goes round Grasmere. The path at this point has been converted to steps pretty much all the way to the top. I am not convinced these things are such a good idea. I'm sure they help to preserve the landscape on well trodden routes, and enable people who would come dressed in espadrilles to get out and see the Lakes, but there is something not quite right about converting footpaths to steps. Anyway after a cold climb which seemed to see off quite a few people on this part of the walk, we reached the top. This fell is a bit like Catbells, tourists do there bit going up the well trodden path, get to the top and go back down again.