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LGGA Sale Wheel FT
LGGA Sale Wheel Gorge Field Trip
Introduction:A visit to this popular recreational area following the succession of outcrops of Upper
Carboniferous beds starting with the Warley Wise Grits to the Upper Bowland Shales
on the south bank of the River Ribble. On the north bank view the Quaternary and
subsequent features in panorama.
Itinerary:1. Start at Marles Wood car park (GR677357) and descend to the River Bank and
the gorge. Said to be Warley Wise Grit dipping at 50 degrees WNW.
2. Proceed through the woods to the second outcrop in the river bed, probably
Copster Green Sandstone.
3. Look across the river at a raised feature with a hidden relict channel behind,
see OS map.
4. Look at the third outcrop, probably Pendle Grit,.just before the suspension
bridge.
5. Look for shale exposures around Dinckley Hall: Upper Bowland Shales.
6. Cross over the suspension bridge and up the track to Lambing Clough, turn
SW across the field to Merrick’s Wood following the footpath to the third
field where the “windgap” described in Dean (1946) as the earlier course of
Starling Brook, later diverted by post glacial landslips to the present direct
course to the River Ribble. The course of the “railway” line can also be seen
from the footpath further along. Continue then to the footbridge over the
Starling Brook and the Ribble Way track.
7. Proceed along this and around Hey Hurst and view the moraine dam rising
uphill from the Dinckley Gorge with the saddle feature where the path goes.
The Quarry mentioned by Learoyd (1973) is in this vicinity-------8. Continue down, through Haig Wood to Dewhurst House and the De Tabley
bridge over the River Ribble and return on the road to the car park.
References
Dean V., 1946. The age and origin of the Sale Wheel Gorge and the deviation of
Starling Brook in the same Locality. Journal of the Manchester Geological
Association. Vol 2. Part 1, 1946, p1-6.
Dean V., 1953. Some Unrecorded Overflow Channels in North East Lancashire.
Liv and Manch Geol Journal. Vol 1,part II. Issued 1953. p153-160.
Learoyd D.H., 1973. Fourteen Days in the Ribble Valley. Proceedings of the
North East Lancashire Group of the Geologists Association. 2.9. p137
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OS 1:25,000 map (Tracklogs digital mapping 2006).
BGS 1:50,000 sheets 67 (1990) and 68 (1960) Solid.
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(Dean 1946)
(Dean 1953)