Eleven walkers including the leaders and one visitor did the Porter’s Pass Walk at Blackheath. This walk was a substitute to the advertised Wollemi Mgmt /Gees Firetrail / Kurrajong Heights walk which was damaged by the recent bushfires. This walk was also different from previous HVB Porter’s Pass walks in so far as the weather was absolutely perfect without the cold, wind and fog experienced some years ago; it started at Bundarra Rd as opposed to Centennial Glen Rd and proceeded in a counter clockwise direction.
From Bundarra Rd we walked to Fort Rock and from there along a new, to HVB, track to the head of Porter’s Pass thereby avoiding the street walks and the Christian Centre of previous years. A very worthwhile alternative. Before descending into Porter’s Pass we had morning tea at the look out over the Kanimbla Valley looking very green with blue water in farm dams after all the recent rain.
Once through Porter’s Pass the more ambitious walkers did a short detour down a now unused track leading into the Kanimbla Valley to view the rain forest. Three walkers remained at the intersection to welcome them back. From there we walked along Colliers Causeway which was quite rough and much eroded from previous years. Here we came across cliff climbers, the men at the base, women hanging from ropes high above us on steep cliffs. Quite a sight.
From Colliers Causeway we ascended towards Centennial Glen Rd and had lunch at a beautiful cliff ledge once again overlooking the lush Kanimbla Valley. Following lunch we completed the circuit of the Wall’s Ledge, the lower part of which had a lot of work done with nicely placed sandstone blocks, sand stone walls and rails. All appeared very new. From there we entered Centennial Glen and heard a loud cry from a cliff climber who apparently had fallen. We were, however, assured that was part of the training and no damage was done. Once we exited the Glen back up to Fort Rock we made our way back to the cars near Bundarra Rd. From here some walkers went home and a group of five went to have coffee in Blackheath.
A very beautiful walk, quite tiring but well worthwhile.
Addendum: In view of the beautiful weather the five coffee drinkers decided to check out the recent bushfire damage along Hat Hill Rd, Govett’s Leap and Evans LO. A very sorry sight. The damage is tremendous and made us realise that it will be a long time before HVB will be able to do some of their favourite Blue Mountain Walks again.
MORNING TEA ABOVE KANIMBLA VALLEY
'Before descending into Porter’s Pass we had morning tea at the look out over the Kanimbla Valley looking very green with blue water in farm dams after all the recent rain.'
COLLIERS CAUSEWAY
'... we walked along Colliers Causeway which was quite rough and much eroded from previous years.' (!Ed.)
'Here we came across cliff climbers, the men at the base, women hanging from ropes high above us on steep cliffs. Quite a sight.'
And later in the walk ' ...and heard a loud cry from a cliff climber who apparently had fallen. We were, however, assured that was part of the training and no damage was done.'
WALLS LEDGE
'Following lunch we completed the circuit of the Wall’s Ledge, the lower part of which had a lot of work done with nicely placed sandstone blocks, sand stone walls and rails. All appeared very new.'
CENTENNIAL GLEN
'From Hazel:'Clive said this was the best he'd ever seen Centennial Glen'.
WALK'S END
From Wendy C: 'Looking through the waterfall' and 'More steps, but this time up and out!'
'Once we exited the Glen back up to Fort Rock we made our way back to the cars near Bundarra Rd. From here some walkers went home and a group of five went to have coffee in Blackheath.'
ADDENDUM
'In view of the beautiful weather the five coffee drinkers decided to check out the recent bushfire damage along Hat Hill Rd, Govett’s Leap and Evans LO. A very sorry sight. The damage is tremendous and made us realise that it will be a long time before HVB will be able to do some of their favourite Blue Mountain Walks again.'
For the record
Walkers were: Leaders Clive and Celia, Kurt, Hazel, Barb, Martin, Guenter, Polly Michael R, visitor Susie and Wendy C as tail end Charlie.
Photos: Wendy C(1,2,4-6,9-14,); Hazel(2,7,10); Barb(8,11,12); Kurt(15,16).
Words: All by Kurt except when others specifically credited.