We had 38 members join us at the Haynes Flat Picnic area in the Lane Cove National Park. It was a fabulous day and so great to catch up with many of the XC & BW group after another tough year.
The post-lunch cricket match was another memorable event although the standard of overarm bowling seems to have deteriorated a lot in the last two years .
We all enjoyed the day and the local kookaburras can’t wait till next year!
A week before this event we had Covid restrictions in place, the 4WD access road was a mess and the crossing of the Retreat River was impossible.
Luckily for us, however, restrictions eased on 01 Nov and with just five days to go the NPWS graded the road and repaired the crossing. It was a relaxing weekend with a few jobs achieved and some walks undertaken.
Many thanks to Jacqui for her hospitality.
This was a nice half-day walk in the Woodford/Linden area, taking in interesting man-made and natural features. After meeting in Glen St Woodford in windy and cool conditions, we took the footpath alongside the Great Western Highway until we reached Bulls Camp. Nowadays this is a roadside Rest Area for motorists, but it has history from the 1820s as a stock reserve and later as a convict camp. A reminder of its convict past is a "flogging stone" (ouch!) and a nearby sandstone block embankment dating from 1832, built by convicts as part of the original roadway. Sadly, this historic wall has been defaced by our modern-day graffiti-artist criminals.
Some more 19th century relics were revealed as we made our way down into the bush. A small weir across Bulls Creek and a few remains of a steam-driven pumping plant are all that are left of a system used to pump water to Linden Station for steam trains. The first steam train in the area dates from 1867, and the pumping operation was in use until 1902.
From there, it was on to Paradise Pool (which is on Bulls Creek) then via rock shelves and open bushland on the northern side of a ridge with views to the hidden eastern arm of Woodford Lake. There were plentiful wildflowers on this part of the walk.
The last couple of kilometres were walked on fire trails. A few sections of our walk today were actually through areas that were subject to hazard control burns a few months ago. Amongst the blackened landscape were the bright shoots of regrowth.
Back at the outskirts of Woodford, we passed Weroona, originally a somewhat grand private residence from about 1920, also used as a home for children awaiting foster placement in the 1940s and 1950s. Nearby where we re-joined the highway is the Woodford Academy, a National Trust listed property originally built as an inn during the 1830s and later used as a private school.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, this was our first outing since June. Bob Sims had all the compliance details planned carefully, with a QR code for us all to use to register our participation, and our vaccination status checked.
Many thanks to Andy and Marion Cairnes for once again leading us on an interesting expedition in their Blue Mountains backyard.
Here is a trace of our loop. The 2 hr 26 min noted is our “moving” time. We were actually out for well over 4 hr.
Starting at 9.30am our group of 18 enjoyed a lovely 13.5 km trail, walking the Two Creeks Track from Lindfield down to Echo Point Marina at Roseville, and back.
We had a balmy sunny day. It was punctuated by a running event, many friendly souls (and their doggie companions), morning tea along the track, and a grassy park for lunch.
The track is varied, starting with a beautiful shadowy green wander through rainforest, carefully taking a tunnel under the road, fire trails and good to medium track along Middle Harbour.
Many thanks to Sharon, Chris and Harm for leading today’s walk.
Here is a GPS trace of our outbound route - Slade Avenue, Lindfield to Echo Point Park. We followed the same track to return.
Twenty members and friends set off from Oatley Village for a 7 km walk around Lime Kiln Bay and the perimeter of Oatley Park. Certain members took the opportunity to reinvigorate with caffeine at a local cafe, having travelled lengthy distances to The Shire's neighbouring Georges River Municipality.
It was a perfect 24-degree sunny autumn day. Highlights included the burned remains of a snake, spoonbills, ducks and lorikeets not to mention the extensive water views and the short board walk through the mangrove wetlands.
After a very social lunch stop by the water’s edge at Oatley Baths, Jo and Melanie entertained us as they swung on the rope hanging from a large tree discovered on the return to Oatley Village.
Not wanting to miss the opportunity of a glass of wine, a beer or even another coffee, the group retreated to yet another Oatley Village cafe for a final social gathering and farewells.
We are grateful to Russell Barnes for organising today’s walk.
We had 26 members at Kahane Lodge plus three more at Charlotte Pass.
Our walks included the Porcupine Trail (with lunch overlooking the Alpine way), the Rennix Track, an ‘off-piste’ walk to the Alpine Eyre Café via the “top of the quad”, Olympic T-Bar and Mt Perisher (thanks to Steve and Cathy Smith for the excellent leadership). Ron Giles also led us on a walk from Charlotte Pass to the old restaurant.
Charlotte Pass Resort was offering free rides on the Stillwell Chair from 10am to 3pm which made the walking there a very enjoyable option. What’s more, Stillwell Hotel was open for rehydration! It makes the Pass a very attractive option for a few quite days in the mountains.
This weekend away would rank as one of the best Easter outings we’ve had - blue sky, 25-degree days and no wind.
The mountains are becoming very popular as an Easter destination, but there are still great little-known walk options.
Another great Easter week-end with good company and excellent food.
Here are two map images of a couple of our activities. First Mt Perisher, then Rennix walk.
Eleven enthusiastic members met on Bobbin Head Road at about 9am, just near the start of the Sphinx Track in Ku-ring-gai National Park. Comfortable walking weather, an abundance of wildflowers and the wonderful angophoras made for a most enjoyable circuit.
We did the loop in a clockwise direction, going down to Bobbin Head along the Bobbin Head Trail before following the Cowan Creek by way of the Sphinx Track - making a total distance a little over 11.5 km. Along the way there were great water views and many old middens reminding some of us of the days when you could eat rock oysters straight from the Sydney coastal rocks. Instead, some of us enjoyed a coffee at the Empire Marina almost exactly half way around the Loop.
Finally the history of the Sphinx and pyramids set out at the end of the walk was inspiring - we finished the day off at 3.30 pm with most of the group proceeding to the Bobbin Head Bakery for another tea or coffee and a chat.
Thanks to Bob once again for finding a great walk. Kudos to 2 of our group who had run the loop the day before!
Here is a GPS trace of the route we took. Distance was about 11.5 km.
Cootapatamba Hut is a survival shelter originally built as a hydrographers’ hut during the planning for the Snowy Mountains Scheme. It sits in a valley below Lake Cootapatamba. SASC has a long history as the official hut caretaker: it was originally taken on by Rex Cox (40 years ago!), then Charlie Griffith and now Bob Sims with the help of many members of the XC & BW group.
The hut is an important survival shelter in an area with easy access from Thredbo and Dead Horse gap. In Feb 2019 the NPWS rebuilt it as a replica of the original hut, the intention being for us to return in Feb 2020 and paint it on site for the first time after the rebuild. However Covid-19 caused the cancellation of all hut working parties.
Finally, this year a work program was planned and accomplished. On Friday 19 Feb 21 a working party of six SASC members visited the hut. The party included Tim Moore (Trip Coordinator), Karsten Pederson, Sharon & Harm Drenth, and Sally & Bob Sims. The main objective was to repaint the hut.
The day involved driving to Rawson’s Pass (with NPWS permission under strict guidelines), walking down (one hour), 4 hours painting, and walking out (two hours). After many years watching the hut deteriorate in its severe alpine environment it was a pleasure to see it rebuilt and in such wonderful condition.
Cootapatamba Hut is unique in that it is painted fire engine red and it has a distinctive “chimney” entrance which can be used if the snow level is higher than the door - although climbing up and down the “chimney” in snow boots is not for the faint-hearted. It was interesting to note that the door now opens inward so the need for the “chimney” entrance may not be so critical in the future.
Many thanks to the working party members and to Marion Plumb (KHA Huts Maintenance Officer) for all the hard work.
Here is a trace showing the route from Rawsons Pass down to the hut.
Heading north-east from our meeting point near Avalon Beach, our group took an urban route for a short distance until we reached the Bangalley Headland. The path here yielded fine views back along the sandstone coastal cliffs to Avalon Headland and further south.
Once off the coastal path, we descended slowly on urban roads to Whale Beach for beachside morning tea.
At the northern end of Whale Beach, we climbed a couple of hundred steps to reach the road which took us around Little Head. Rounding the headland we were rewarded with more fine views, south and north. It was clear that this part of Sydney is a very desirable place to live - there were many extensive renovations and vast new houses along our route, not to mention those that have been there for decades and in original condition.
Palm Beach was the next destination where we paused for lunch before tackling the track up to the Barrenjoey Lighthouse. The lighthouse precinct has been carefully restored and preserved and is a wonderful destination for views in all directions.
Palm Beach was busy, busy, busy. The place was totally parked out, and there were large numbers of people in cars cruising around trying to find a place to stop - it was just as well we had walked in!
Some of the group made their way back to Rosemary’s place at Curl Curl for our traditional start-of-year fish and chips for afternoon tea.
Great walk, great weather and great company. Many thanks to Bob and Sally for organising the day.
Here is a GPS trace of the route we took. Distance was about 12.5 km.
A nice number of members turned out for our Xmas gathering, this year held in Dampier's Clearing at Ku-ring-gai Wildflower Garden. After a short walk around some of the paths in the Garden, we gathered for a delightful picnic luncheon. Highlight of the function was birthday greetings to 3 of our steadfast members - Bob Failes, Geoff Thomas and John Sims.
Despite significant disruption due to Covid-19, we managed to meet for a few walks during the year. We wish everyone a happy new year, and look forward to doing more together in 2021.
Thanks to Bob and Sally for arranging today's event.
