Like the little engine that could, our train journey(s) started with one walker at Hornsby, four at Thornleigh, two at Pennant Hills and then two at Central and so on until we all gathered at Strathfield for our Blue Mountains train to Warrimoo. Not to be outdone, others joined along the way at Blacktown and Blaxland until the train unloaded at Warrimoo and surprise, surprise, we found we had 26 walkers for the day – now that’s quite a crowd!
Briefing formalities over, we headed off under very grey skies and a forecast of possible showers. As it happened the showers didn’t eventuate (well, not counting the 3 drops we did have…). Some street walking through suburban Warrimoo for starters and then it was straight into the steep descent that is Florabella Pass itself. Reaching and crossing Florabella Creek and of course it was straight into an upward climb on the other side of the valley, broken half-way up by morning tea – perched on fallen logs and rocks: the best that this track has to offer in the way of walker comforts!
Suitably fortified, the upwards climb continued followed by, of course, another steep descent to again cross Florabella Creek. The next section of the walk follows high above, firstly, Florabella Creek, and then Glenbrook Creek on a fairly level section of track with some lovely Blue Mountains bush and high sandstone cliffs. Only a few wildflowers were out at this time of year – some colourful ‘Mountain Devils' (Lambertia Formosa), a few spectacular Banksias and a couple of Wattles.
Another challenging descent towards Glenbrook Creek and then it was time for lunch taken just above Boulder Pool – a typical clear-water mountain pool with a nice sandy beach. No takers for a swim on this occasion – maybe it needs a summer walk to tempt someone in?
Lunch over it was on to Pippa’s Pass and Blaxland. On this occasion, with a stumble or two along the way, the leaders didn’t quite get the timing right for the usual after-walk coffee, and it was a choice of push on to the station to just catch the 2:05pm train and forgo coffee, or for the gang of seven, it was coffee now and hang the consequences (the consequences being one hour and six minutes until the next train) – still the coffees at Dan’s Coffee Haus were good (as in previous walks), but there were some definite hints to leave before their 2:30 closing time – as the chairs were stacked and the broom came out! Hint taken it was on to the station to take in a bit of local history displayed in the waiting room before the train home finally arrived.
As Regular walks go, lengthwise it may have seemed on the shorter side, but it certainly threw in some challenging terrain. However, all seemed agreed it had been well worth the effort to be walking in the wonderful variety of bush in the scenic lower Blue Mountains – with an added bonus that we dodged the forecast rain!
At the Start:
Briefing at Warrimoo Station
Tail enders about to descend into the valley forest Warrimoo Cottage
The Descents: 
Descending into Florabella Pass
On the steep descent into Florabella Creek
Morning Tea Looking down on the descended walkers A Few Creek Crossings 
Leader John G gallantly assists at a tricky crossing
also Some Ascents
Ascent above Florabella Creek Going Up Lunch on the track above Glenbrook Creek
A Few Familiar Faces on the track
Mary Elaine and others Claude
Flora and Scenery
Banksias above Glenbrook Creek Banksia Spinulosa Attractive tree trunk
On the way down to Florabella Creek Lots of ferns
And of Course.. at the coffee watering hole
Walkers: Leaders John G and Don B walked with Elaine, Anne G, Judy G, Ros, Mary, Christine G, Martin, Keith, Lyndy, Dawn, Robyn Ma, John M, Claude, Elizabeth P, Barbara R, Vreni, David S, Christine S, Lyn, Pauline, Fran, Don Wo and visitors Habi and Gabriella. Thanks to 1st Aider Ros, Tail-Ender Claude.
Photos: Don Wo (1,2,4,6,19,22), Barbara R (3,7,8,12,14,15,16,18,21), David S (5,9,13,23), Lyndy (10,11,17,20)
Words: John G.