Ben Vorlich (@ Loch Lomond)

Ben Vorlich on the north western side of Loch Lomond was my next choice for a hillwalk due to the more favourable weather conditions in the south of the region where I was staying.
I would love to have done the ascent from Ardlui but due to the lack of parking facilities because of bridge maintenance and traffic lights on the A82 road, the parking space at Ardlui railway station was inappropriate. With hindsight, it may have been better to retrace my steps and attempt the climb from north of the village using the North east ridge or Strath Dubh-uisage route. As I was facing south, I carried on, for option B, to the well known tourist spot of Inveruglas famous for it's northern aspect views of Loch Lomond, boat cruise pick up point and ....  a hydro electric power station with it's 4 massive pipes stretching down the hillside.
On leaving the car, I circumnavigated the mountain and climbed the south east ridge as detailed in an old Trail magazine I had, advising me on 7 alternative "routes to the top". Due to the lack of a proper footpath, this was rough countryside, partial sheep tracks, bracken, tricky navigation at times to avoid crags and always an element of wondering whether I had missed a turning to the right....

It was nice to stop and catch a breather whilst admiring the view............

Sheep twins

The views from this approach were very rewarding of Loch Arklet (above..... to the east) with Loch Katrine (Trossachs) in the background and Ben Lomond and Loch Lomond (below...to the south)

Eventually I reached the summit and a selfie thanks to my portable tripod that lives permanently in my walking rucksack.

The way Down !!

After lunch I headed down the more conventional, albeit steeper route to the west where the reservoir at Loch Sloy holds the water for the power station on the other side of the mountain..

The descent took a bit longer than I thought as there is no let up in the gradient and I'm probably more used to the smaller mountains in the Lake District. The road from the reservoir that I joined to take me back had some unusual features....

Rock Face

Eventually I reached the spot where earlier in the day I left the path at the substation to do the epic wild ascent. The lane down to the Loch is easy under foot and the sun was still shining when I arrived.

Lastly, despite suffering the tough ascent and the steep descent, it was more dangerous trying to cross the A82 road to get to the car park !!!