In a new walk for HVB, twenty seven walkers set off in beautiful autumn weather from the southern end of Lt Bowen Drive at Bowen Mountain, descending the rather eroded Southern Trail and heading out to Poetry Rock at the end of that trail. Most of the walkers managed to crowd on to the rock and sit down for morning tea, at a spot immediately above Burralow Gorge, which afforded splendid views all the way back to Sydney. Tea break over, we retraced our steps up the shady track back to our cars to drive about half a kilometre up the road to commence our walk to the Western Ridge Trail. This began with a chorus of barking dogs as we walked behind the houses to turn off into Clewitts track. Heading downwards towards a creek some splendid specimens of fungi, having thrived in the recent wet weather, were inspected. After crossing a small creek and negotiated our way round a large puddle, we started our ascent up to the ridge (referred to by the leader as "a wee hill" ). Breath regained at the top, we then progressed along an undulating track out to the end of the ridge passing a range of interesting flora en route and a splendidly knobbled angophora tree, to arrive at our lunch spot. Those who were fortunate enough to find a space on the rock ledge enjoyed a view of Mt Hay and Mt Banks. We then took to the track again partially retracing our steps but opting for a different route on the latter part of the trail to avoid having to descend that rather tricky "wee hill". Back at the cars, the walkers headed off in different directions for coffee with some making for Richmond whilst the majority visited two different cafes in Kurrajong.
View back to Sydney from Bowen Mountain
Morning Tea with style for some and on a crowded rock for others
Two sets of walkers
Banksias Ant lion traps and some splendid Wattle
Intriguing fungi
Tenacity Geebung Persoonia pinifolia
Angophora on the Western Ridge Track
How many steps have we taken? Don B admires the view from the lunch spot
Enjoying a lunchtime view at the end of the Western Ridge Trail
Coming along the track ..................... and disappearing into the distance
..................... and waiting for the tail end to appear
Leader Bert ably assisted by new member Drina, were joined by twenty five others: Helen A, Ida, Nick,Don B, Sue B, Maurice, Rhondda,Elaine E, Annette and David, Sue F, Anne G, John and Ros, Peter and Cherry, Dawn, Lydia, Margaret P, Wendy P, Guenter, Anne R, Lyn, Jill, Don W.
Photos: Anne R (1,2,3,5,6,7,9,10,11,12,13), Don W (4,8,14,15,16,17)
Words by Bert