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It was a crisp, clear winter’s morning when thirteen walkers assembled shortly after 9 am at the car park at Mt York. Before setting out on the track, Kurt gave the walkers a brief history of the various tracks constructed in an effort to provide access from the Blue Mountains to the interior, commencing with Coxs Road (1815) followed by Lawsons Long Alley (1823) and Lockyers Pass (1832, but never completed). Later came Victoria Pass and Berghofers Pass.
Kurt explaining the history of the road Ready to start the descent
The start of a spectacular descent
We set off proceeding carefully down the rubbly track of Coxs Descent, viewing the remains of the historic roadworks on the way. Once down to the flatter lands of Hartley Vale the track followed an undulating route across woodlands and fields to arrive at our morning tea spot by the Hartley Vale Road. Refreshed, we walked close to the road for a short distance passing the Comet Inn (1879) built to cater for the shale miners working nearby, before turning into Lawsons Alley.
Descending Coxs Road
Further down the hill - the going was a bit easier! Looking back to where we came from Happy to have reached the bottom!
Seen in the valley - historic shale cart; Old Comet Inn (no longer available for cooling ales!); and long abandoned farm equipment
Was the dog rounding up the sheep or the walkers? Kangaroo on duty Announcement of the coming climb!
Some people live in remote spots! The up-hill slog
What started as a level track, ascended gradually at first before steepening considerably as we neared the junction with Mt York road where we stopped for lunch.
Top of the climb! Seen along the way - departing lyrebird....... ...............and sunlit wattle
We then headed along the track which initially deviated away from the road before later returning to it. Along the way back to our cars, we stopped to look at two rather murky ”wells” used as a watering point for horses in bygone years and finally paused at Barden Lookout to take in a superb panorama looking down to lands of Little Hartley and across to the Walls of Hassan near Lithgow.
Wells were used as a water supply during the construction of Coxs Road
From the carpark we then headed back down to Blackheath to the Wattle Café for coffee and a small cake for Barbara which she generously shared, to celebrate her birthday the previous day.
A last look at the valley below.......... .....and finally to the coffee shop!
Bert and Kurt led eleven other walkers – Helen A, Clive, Sue B, Wendy C, Anne G, Mary, Celia, Kas, Anne R, Barbara and Drina
Photos: Drina (1,2,3,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,21,22,23,24,25); Anne R (4,5,6,7,20)
Words; Bert