Hi
I've not been up there since January 2003 for a Radio broadcast, but
the Lake level was still open - allbeit with a grill across if I
remember right. When McAlpines took over Gloddfa Ganol and Ffestiniog
Slate Co. they also bought Cwmorthin to safeguard their back door.
Hence entry is not encouraged. There's a barrier across the road just
by the waterfalls on the track up from Tanygrisiau. The road widens
below this point and you can park.
When I was there the Lower mills site was desolate and some sort of
shrine had been erected in the mill site utilising the old wheelpit...
I don't remember seeing cross-mill at all and the surface tips appear
to have been driven over even more than I remember.
I remember feeling that the site as a whole had been ruined...
I understand that entry to the workings is still possible but am not
able to comment on how. From some correspondence I am told that the
workings have been left in a very dodgy condition by the effects of the
workings of the previous owners and that the water level of the Oakeley/
Cwmorthin complex appears to have been lowered - possibly by McAlpines
pumping, indeed this can be the only cause as the old Oakeley floor G (
Lefal Dwr) was the lowest route by which water could escape naturally.
Hope this helps.
Graham
> Wending our way up from Devon/Cornwall to Coniston via North Wales....
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