Maesglase

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Maesglase

Elevation 676 metres (2218 feet)
Location Snowdonia, Wales, UK
Range Cadair Idris
Prominence 313 m
Topo map OS Explorer OL23
OS grid reference SH817150
Listing Marilyn, Hewitt, Nuttall
Translation blue/green stone (Welsh)
Pronunciation [maɪsˈglasɛ]

Maesglase is a mountain in Snowdonia, North Wales, situated approximately 4 miles to the south-west of Aran Fawddwy.

It can be reached by an easy but steep walk through the forestry from Dinas Mawddwy or directly from the bwlch on the A470. Acending Maesglase provides an opportunity to climb several other nearby peaks including Maen Du, Craig Rhiw-erch, Craig Portas and Cribin Fawr that 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 (674 m at SH823152) was regarded as Maesglase's summit. However, more recent surveys suggest that the top of Craig Rhiw-erch (c 676 m at SH817150, some 600 m to the west) is higher.[1] The geomorphology of these mountains is classical U-shaped glacial valleys with text-book examples of hanging valleys and intersecting valleys.

Hanging valley waterfall on flanks of Maesglase
Enlarge
Hanging valley waterfall on flanks of Maesglase

The eastern slopes are devoted to sheep farming whilst the western slopes are intensiveley forested.

Above the semi-improved grassland is some bracken but much of the higher ground is covered in typical Calluna / Erica communities interspresed 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 659 metres is a stone boundary marker dated 1861 and inscribed CCC and bearing a benchmark.


[edit] References

  1. ^ Dawson, Alan. RHB Update. Retrieved on 2006-10-06.