CH3 - Snoops Loop

Snoops Loop
Due to the authorities insistence on paving over the Pennine Way, and in the process leaving untidy piles of stones in positions calculated to injure the unwary runner I have made the unilateral decision to use a different course for the next handicap race on June 14th
New Snoops or Back to Black
START Wessenden Head on A635 just E of the Meltham junction. Cross the ladder stile onto the Kirklees Way going SE. 076 073
Abbreviations. PW – Pennine Way L – Left R – Right TL TR – turn Left or Right
tk – track fb – footbridge X – cross AH – ahead brg - bearing
ROUTE Diagonally SE then S down clear path to wall. TL on tk going E above plantation keeping L then R of ditch. Thru 1st gate then X stile next to 2nd.
Immediately fork R on wide tk and in 50m TR over stile in wall. Down grass path by wall thru field to stile AH. X and TL on tk down to fb 088 069 and up stony tk on moor AH.
Stay on clear tk as it sweeps R. X ford, dilapidated fb and 2nd ford to main stream crossing 087 060 climb tk and fork R on small path to stay beside wall to Issues Rd where TR on tk becoming path to re X stream and climb hill AH.
Keep on the L path at 2 forks, up to join PW (paved!) where TL up and across to Black Hill Trig. 078 047
TR brg 307 on old PW - now rather faint sunken path - to 1st of a row of cairns. Follow clear path now start to descend off plateau past wall/seat 073 051
From here feel free to pick your own line – I recommend staying on PW to go thru main fords and up 300m onto rise before bearing R 000 for 700m then R again brg 040 back to finish at PW junction with A635 at 075 072. The last section is hard going but there are some faint 4WD tks following some small marker posts. The old Marsden to Edale line has vanished. The groughs are hard going!
YOU MUST go to each of the grid referenced checkpoints.
YOU MUST carry cag, whistle and compass for the event. Disqualification for defaulters!
I strongly recommend a recce on a clear day!! The thought of organising a search party over to Crowden does not appeal (Shades of Blaggers!)