Our group of 6 left Turramurra just after 7.30am on one of the coldest mornings (6 degrees) so far this year. We met Marilyn & Keith the Fortress Ridge car park for the start of our walk.
The temperature had climbed a bit & the air was clear as the wind from earlier in the week had dropped a lot, so we set out to walk to Fortress Rock lookout where we had stunning views of Carne Wall & the surrounding mountains.
We left our packs here & descended further to get a better view of Arethusa Falls. After morning tea at the top we retraced our steps to the Fortress Ridge Fire trail & part way along this track branched off down the Michael Keats route to Fortress Creek, which we crossed on stepping stones. Then after climbing a rough slippery track we reached our rather windy lunch spot on top of Mount Stead. However there were great views of the whole area from here. Refreshed & rested we set off again after lunch along the Lockley Pylon track via the Pinnacles to Mt Hay Rd & a short 1.3km walk along this road back to the cars.
The day finished at the Leura Gourmet Deli where we had a wonderful coffee & chat about the walk.
Looking out from Fortress Rock
Looking down on the Arethusa Falls from Fortress Rock
Fortress Rock proved to be a popular spot to pose for group photos
On the track descending from Fortress Ridge
The group at their lunch spot at Mt Stead but only after one of the slower ones finished his lunch (right)
Hazel ready to take off at Mt Stead and on the homewards track nearing the PinnaclesWalkers: Clive and Celia led six others-Hazel, Keith and Marilyn, Bert, Kurt and Nick S.
Photos:Clive 2,4, and (on Hazel's camera) 9, Hazel (3,7,10), Nick (1,5,6,8)
Words by Celia