Ten walkers set out under a cloudy sky to tackle this new walk which joins a number of shorter walks into a 10klm loop.
Starting down the Callicoma Track through delightful forest along Nyrippin Creek, there were a couple of easy creek crossings. Joining the Benowie Track, we followed Berowra Creek to The Jungo where we joined the Great North Walk. It was exciting to hear a very active lyrebird performing along the GNW.
Start of the Callicoma Track
Creek crossing
Under a rock ledge on Berowra Creek
A short break at the top of a climb on the Great North Walk near Westleigh Drive
Leaving the main track for a barely discernible side trail, we dived steeply down an embankment to a mossy creek crossing and then ascended steeply for quite a long way, eventually passing through a slot to reach a rock platform where we had a late morning tea. The rock platform was divided by 3 slots (trifurcated?). Some walkers explored a narrow slot which led to a spectacular natural rock arch.
Natural rock arch at the end of the narrow slot
Hazel at the natural rock arch
Not long after morning tea, we detoured to Refuge Rock. Continuing on the Refuge Rock Trail, we reached the suburbs and needed some road walking to join up the Carmen Trail, Kentia Trail and Swing Bring Loop. The new swing bridge over Pyes Creek is a substantial structure which looks to have been engineered to survive a major flood and maybe a nuclear holocaust as well! This area of forest contains some very large trees as well as patches dense with ferns.
Refuge rock and new Pyes Creek swing bridge
Banksia
We enjoyed lunch at the end of the Swing Bridge Trail and then made our way a fairly short distance back to the cars. After undoing the car shuffle, we descended on a coffee shop at Cherrybrook Village where leech notes were compared. A total of 111 leeches were noted, with Alan declared the winner (20). Rick was pleased to note that as tail end Charlie, his score was 0.
Route map (provided by Rick)
Elevation (provided by Rick)
Leaders: Peter T and Wendy C; Tail-ender: Rick; First aiders: Celia and Rick
Walkers: Leah, Rick, Nick S, Hazel, Pragati, Celia, Dae and Alan
Photos: Nick S (2, 6); Peter T (3, 4, 8); Rick (10,11); Wendy C (1, 5, 7, 9)
Words: Wendy C