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Sometimes it takes a challenging walk to find one’s limits – and for this walk one of the leaders found his. Still, it was a wonderful walk for the five starters who opted to walk despite the challenges of terrain and weather!
Early forecasts predicted much rain for the days leading up to the walk, and that was a concern for the leaders knowing the number of watercourses to be crossed on this walk. Much surprise then to find that by Friday, Heathcote Creek and its tributaries had had only a few mm’s of rain and the water levels at the crossings were but minimally higher! Not that the rain had finished with us, of course, as early into the walk the first heavy showers fell. Fortunately, the rain didn’t return until we were on the last section of the walk into Heathcote – and the hot coffees which followed shortly after were never more welcome (as we sat somewhat exhausted and soggy…).
Heathcote Creek - easily crossed here..... .....but a major waterway seen here later.
As per the program walk description, the Bullawarring Track in Heathcote NP meanders (meanders sounds far too mild a description of this terrain!) alongside Heathcote Creek through some beautiful rugged bushland with endless trees, wildflowers (even in May!), grass trees, Gymea Lillies (some in flower!), rock outcrops and weirdly sculptured caves – not to mention the creek itself with its pools, little waterfalls, cascades and rills. The Pipeline Track was somewhat unexciting, but provided the functional link to get us to Heathcote – and the abovementioned coffee!
Interesting rock outcrops Lunch, and a leech check
Bullawarring Track - wet everywhere ....but often wetter
Gentleman Don Wet track, red pack We must be on the right track!
The walkers: JohnG and DonB (leaders) with Ros, Mary and William. First-aider was Ros, and Don oscillated between leading, doing tail end Charlie duties and, most importantly, anticipating when walkers might need a helping hand up some of the tougher rock scrambles (I might have heard the term ‘Gentleman Don’ used during the day – but I couldn’t swear to it!).
Photos: Ros (2,3,4, 7,8,9); John G (1,5,6)