Category Last Walk Report

Despite a paucity of walk description, and forecast high temperatures, 6 walkers packed more water than usual and their sense of adventure for this new walk for the club. The walk is an alternative to the Great West Walk, Glenbrook to Woodford section and was chosen because the original was uninspiring.

After leaving cars at Glenbrook Station, we drove 23klms to the start of the walk at Woodford, parked and headed down the Oaks Firetrail. This is a wide, well maintained firetrail, shared with mountain bike riders. Fortunately, there were only a few mountain bike riders, as those travelling in the same direction as us were travelling very fast. As the temperature rose, the bush flies made their presence known, encouraging us to keep walking at a good pace to keep them out of our faces.

After about 6klms, we left the Oaks Firetrail and turned on to the St Helena Ridge Firetrail, again wide and well-maintained. Areas which had been control burned a  year or so ago were awash with flannel flowers. It was a very impressive display. There was a diversity of wildflowers throughout the day, but none in great numbers other than the flannel flowers.

Afew kilometres further on, we left the wide firetrail and started along a heavily overgrown firetrail, slowing progress. We found a tree throwing good shade for lunch and then pressed on, the trail narrowing to a bush track.

The most interesting part of the walk then commenced with the descent to the creek, the track zig zagging down a steep rocky slope. The temperature was reaching its peak for the day, so it was with relief that we reached the creek and found it had plenty of water. Boots off and feet int eh water. Bliss!

Once cooled and restored, we crossed the creek, followed the creek edge a short distance (and saw a magnificent swimming hole) and then tackled the cliffs, scaling boulders on the way.

By the time we were close to the railway line, water was running low, but by sharing around what we had left, we reached the cars.  Peter shared some chilled drinks he had thoughtfully stored in his vehicle, to the evident pleasure of all. After unding the car shuffle, we stopped at the Lapstone Hotel for a dr ink on the way home.

This walk is a much more interesting option than the original Glenbrook to Woodford section of the GWW as it is through pleasant bush away from the highway. The creek was a high light and worth considering for a swim. However, it would be best done on a day that was not so hot.

Thank you to all for your resilience and team work.

Nine walkers joined in this easy walk that was posted late in the week. We walked along the river from Silverwater Bridge to Wentworth Point along the water (except for a detour around the light rail works). At Wentworth Point we stopped for a coffee before returning through the parklands and the Armoury precinct. Plenty of birds around the wetlands and in the sheoak forest. Seven of us had an early lunch in the park under the Silverwater Bridge. Thanks to everyone who participated at short notice.

Several days were spent closely checking the changing forecasts and the recorded rainfall at Lithgow, Clarence and Glen Davis. Very little rain was recorded at Clarence since Wednesday and with a 50% chance of 1mm forecast, our walk went ahead with a final plan of “take a look” at the canyon before proceeding.

Nine walkers including 3 visitors, enjoyed a day in Wollemi National Park, somehow avoiding what the changing weather threw at us. Meeting at Clarence at 8:15am, Peter advised of Plan A (as advertised), Plan B (skip the canyon and do a full loop of Deep Pass from North to South), Plan C (a repeat of the 24^th May 2024 walk) and Plan D (Mt Irvine and The Tessellated Pavements).

We thought the intermittent rain still falling as we drove along the dirt road, would keep us out of the canyon, so we considered swapping the two sections of the walk by doing Deep Pass first (Plan A-1) so we had a better chance doing the canyon in the afternoon.

However, Peter’s driving navigational error took us to the start of the Canyon and the northern entrance to Deep Pass, thus missing our car shuffle finish point at the western entrance to Deep Pass. That 400m section of road missing on google maps has a lot to answer for!

No problem, let’s do the canyon first and then Deep Pass as a ‘down and back’ after that (Plan A-2) so there would then be no need for a car shuffle!

As we descended the track and side creeks towards Budgary Creek (anti-clockwise circuit), ‘baby’ hail falling on us for a minute, was a surprise as we sloshed through very wet and thick scrub descending towards River Cave Canyon.

Waratahs were everywhere on the way down and later on the way up. They had really come out over the prior 3 weeks. Masses of other flowers also delighted.

The odd shower and thunder tried hard to put us off continuing but luckily we found no change in the creek level compared to our recce 3 weeks earlier, so a fantastic explore awaited us.

Changed into “wet” shoes, the Canyon did not disappoint. Taking our time, we looked at every angle as we splashed along in ankle to thigh deep water. The little climb up and along a rock platform avoided the deep pool, was no problem. Connie and Johnny (2 of our visitors) were well prepared, young and quite agile, so no problem on this walk as was Hazel from HVB, our other club. Julie spotted a lovely small black frog just before the end of the canyon. After videos and many photos were taken, we eventually reached the steep, rough climb up between the rock walls. It was not long before we reached the road and our cars.

On return, we hid from increased falling rain, eating lunch in the cars. It was now time that a final plan (Plan E) was hatched. Most agreed, it would be pointless and not much fun walking in this drizzle and the roads would be getting more hazardous if left later to negotiate, so….. “Nar, let’s give it a miss!”

Coffee and cake at Mt. Tomah Botanic Gardens sounded so much nicer, so off we headed.

It was still raining when we got there, making the view across the gardens and valleys spectacular.

After coffee, some viewed a fancy displayed flower (name?) just below the centre.

In summary, we dodged a bullet and had a lovely time in the canyon, thus making the most of our day.

Walkers: Gary, Julie, Loïc, Fernando, Hazel (V), Connie (V), Johnny (V), Jenny and Peter.

Photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/8kkENkh6h5oZBXxz9

Video of a segment of the canyon: https://youtube.com/shorts/lpo33dr0-F4

After a very last minute shuffle the night before, due to a bushfire in Somersby all registered walkers agreed to a change of venue to do the Spit to Manly walk. We were very lucky with the weather in the low twenties and all walkers enjoyed this easy familiar walk around the harbour foreshore. There were no problems other than an excess of marathon runners and a small detour around some National Park’s works. Spring flowers were in evidence. We had morning tea at the lookout overlooking the heads and lunch in Manly followed by icecream before heading back by bus to our cars. Total distance walked approximately 10km. Thanks to all for a pleasant morning.

Morning Tea at Dobroyd Head

15 walkers had a fabulous day walking out to the Lost World via Pippa’s Pass and return. An early steep descent on rough track was followed by a rock hop across Glenbrook Creek and then a steep up to the ridgeline on even rougher track. We enjoyed morning tea looking out across the wilderness and then returned to the main track and the ridgeline out to Lost World. The track was narrow and overgrown in places with many spring wildflowers, the tallest bearded orchids ever, an enormous native cockroach and a very shiny jewel beetle. Two lookouts over the wilderness were found and a lovely lunch was had next a cross commemorating the Reverand Brother G.E. Raymer who passed away on 25 July 1953 while trying to save a swimmer near Wollongong. The walk back was achieved with almost no geographical embarrassments by those that walked ahead, and we made good time getting back to the descent to the creek. This had to be done with care, and the afternoon sun and exertion made for some pink faces all round. Sunglasses were lost and found all without leaving the comfort of a backpack, and the walk was done by 2.45pm followed by a welcome drink at the Lapstone Hotel. Thanks all!

Dawn led  3 walkers on a 7 klm ramble through Upper Lane Cove NP, City View Lookout, Thornleigh oval, Coops Creek Circuit, and on to Cypress Street for lunch. The photos are of wildlife spotted along the way.

The second group of 8 walkers set out on an 11k trek along the Twin Creeks Circuit. However, the navigation sent astray. Dave W saved the day, finding the track that goes down to the Lane Cove River, then up to City View Lookout, and the Thornleigh Oval. At this point, the group was tired from the bush bash involved in finding the track and ALL agreed to cut the walk short & head directly to our Gourmet Lunch. Cold Drinks on arrival were just what was needed.

After and excellent lunch Peter kindly gave us a lift back to our cars.

Enjoyed the great company,

Greg & Dawn.

The weather was perfect as 8 walkers set off at a good pace to walk the constantly undulating fire trail for the first five kilometres which has been lately resurfaced. We then joined the Great North Walk and stopped at a little waterfall to have morning tea before we crossed the historic Steele Military Bridge and climbed to Tunks Ridge campground and then descended Galston Gorge using the step irons. We walked under Galston road and crossed the creek on stepping stones. The next section of the trail was on bush track with beautiful views over the valley, scribbly gum trees, many different coloured bush plants and flowers. We climbed up and had lunch on some rocks overlooking the valley. The final 1.4 kilometres was all uphill, but we finished the walk before it became too warm and then went to the “Blue Gum” pub to rehydrate.

A group of 16 walkers strolled down to view the Sphinx scrupture before heading down the trail. At the bottom as we walked along the Warrimoo trail we were rewarded by a couple of red-tailed black cockatoos taking to flight and giving us an excellent view of their bright red tails. We had the delight of seeing four Goanna’s. Three of them on the ground blocking our path which then either moved to the undergrowth or climbed slowly up a tree. One was sunning itself by the picnic area at Bobbin head. Colour is coming back to the bush; we spotted a Plain Sun Orchid (Thelymitra Nysa) among the grasses. The trail was in good condition with only a few muddy spots. We stopped on the Warrimoo track to have morning tea with another short rest stop at Bobbin Head then travelled along the Mangrove Boardwalk with a detour to visit the rainforest section before continuing onto the Gibberagong track as it follows Cockle creek stopping in a sunny spot on route to have lunch before heading up Murrua track to Murrua road. This steep uphill challenged the 15 remaining walkers. We finished the day with coffee in a local café in North Turramurra.  

This turned out to be a “Goldilocks” walk which explained the turn out of 21 keen walkers. Goldilocks as in Not too far to drive; Not too far to walk; Not too hot; Not too cold; Not too wet! Bonuses were good chatting (talk about a noisy mob!), early finish and great after walks venue. Negatives were 2 snakes sighted, one red bellied black and one tiger/brown. Both big!!

From meeting point at Mangrove Mountain Store we condensed into 5 cars and made our way to trackhead. First up visit to Mt Olive for expansive views including iconic Mt Yengo, then on to Mt Olive fire trail as far as the turn off for Hominy Creek. At the creek crossing, turned downstream for a short distance to Emerald Pool and the rock platforms beyond where morning tea was enjoyed in the sunshine.

Next up continued on our circuit before taking a left hand turn on 248 Trail to more expansive rock platforms with views to Ironbark Creek. Early lunch here before retracing our steps to the main fire trail and returning to our start point with another rock platform with aboriginal engravings along the way.

Undid car pooling and then proceeded to Mangrove Mountain Memorial Club for refreshments. Thanks John and Di for delicious chips!! Good day had by all. Welcome to Melanie and Marilia. Hope you both enjoyed your day and we see you again soon. Thanks all, David and Val.

Mt Kuringai to Berowra via Cowan Creek and Waratah Bay

A perfect day for bushwalking sunny and cool. 22 walkers extremely punctual arriving at head of track well ahead of time. Leader being last to arrive!
We walked along the ridge a bit then detoured to see the Fireman’s Rest – a poignant. memorial to 4 national parks staff who were killed in 2000 doing a control burn that went wrong. Then descended by rocky stairs to the waters edge . We followed Cowan Creek with beautiful views all the way. After Waratah Bay we followed the rocky zig zag track up about 150 m 
A few people decided to catch the train immediately while the rest trudged over to Berowra RSL for refreshments before catching the train back to Mt Kuringai. Luckily we didn’t hit the Quiet carriage. Always a challenge for the Up and Downers.