As Don W once said "It really was quite nice out there today.".
Jill and Rhondda led 17 walkers on this lovely walk in the Blue Mountains along the isolated Fortress Ridge. On this fine sunny blue sky day we first descended into a tight valley to a series of overhangs where perched on a rocky outcrop we had morning tea with views over Govetts Creek far below and the Grose Valley. Towards the west was the stark Carne Wall and Arethusa Falls and across the valley extensive views along the sandstone cliff walls towards the Blackheath skyline and Pulpit Rock.
Returning to the main Fortress Ridge Track we followed a narrow rocky bush track to the end of Fortress Ridge through patches of woodland and open heath undulating over four knolls before finally heading down the spur line to the cliffs at the end of Fortress Ridge. Sitting high above the Grose Valley and Fortress Canyon where we had lunch there were views over the Grose Valley towards Govetts Leap on one side and on the other side The Pinnacles, Mt Stead, Lockleys Pylon, Mt Hay and across the valley directly in front of us Du Faur Head.
Thanks to John G and Rhonda for their help with the car shuffles.
Coffee was taken at the Mountain Blue Cafe on the Great Western Highway at Springwood.
On the track, President Bert enjoyed some of the perks of High Office, whilst as merely club Treasurer, Don B (on the right) was tail-end-Charlie.
"... on a rocky outcrop we had morning tea with views over Govetts Creek far below and the Grose Valley. Towards the west was the stark Carne Wall ...".
Some of the flowers seen were Mountain Devil Lambertia formosa in flower and finished, (on the left) and on the right a Yellow pea flower Bossiaea heterophylla and Fushia heath Epacris reclinata 
"... we followed a narrow rocky bush track to the end of Fortress Ridge ..." with the escarpment of the Grose Valley gradually revealing itself.
"... where we had lunch there were views over the Grose Valley towards Govetts Leap on one side ..."
"... and on the other side The Pinnacles, Mt Stead, Lockleys Pylon, Mt Hay and across the valley directly in front of us Du Faur Head."
For the record: On this walk with Jill and Rhondda were Lyn, Dawn, Pragati, Kas, Don B, Ros G, Polly, Susan, Maurice, Sue S, Bert, Helen A, John G, Mary, Judy, Barbara and Deidre.
Words by Jill. Photos by Barbara (1, 2, 5, 7), Susan (3, 11, 12), Deidre (4), Sue S( (6, 8, 13), Ros G (10) and John G (9); flora identified by Barbara and Sue S.