With no rain in sight 20 walkers set out with Jill and Rhondda from Mt White along undulating firetrails and untracked bush tracks through the
extensive fog which covered the hills of the Hawkesbury River Valley in the relatively unknown and rarely visited South Popran National Park. The tracks and firetrails were still wet and muddy in sections after the recent heavy rains.
After ascending and descending through the forest the fog lifted just as we diverted along a side track to a large sandstone outcrop from which there was an eagles eye view high above the Hawkesbury River towards the river settlements of Marlow and Spencer and over Gentlemans Halt, Marramarra and Dharug National Parks.
In full sunshine and quite warm conditions lunch was at Big Jims Point with extensive views on one side towards Bar Point and the other side over Marramarra National Park. The Postman’s Boat passed by far below us on its journey from Brooklyn to Marlow and return as it serviced the various small settlements along the river.
In the forest were Gymea Lilies, a glimpse of Hakea bakeriana with its lovely large pink flowers, early boronia and the bright red Grevillea diffusa.
Leaving Big Jims Point after lunch and continuing the circuit we ascended and descended firetrails and rocky untracked sections to arrive back at cars with all walkers then going on for coffee at ‘Pie In The Sky’ on the Old Pacific Highway.
It was third time lucky for Jill and Rhondda after cancelling the walk twice because of bad weather conditions.
On this walk Jill and Rhondda led 20 others: Ros G, Mary,Nick, John M, Kas, Polly, Kurt, Maurice, Anne G, Bert, Barbara, Dawn, Elaine E, Clive, Sue B, Helen A, Sue S, Celia, Deidre and Sue S and a visitor.
'.... untracked bush tracks through the extensive fog'
'.... tracks and firetrails were still wet and muddy'
'.... diverted along a side track to a large sandy outcrop' ' .... views and lunch on Big Jims Point'
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Hakea bakeriana, Gymea Lilies and Grevillea diffusa
' ... going on for coffee at Pie in The Sky..."
Words by Jill; photos 2,3,7-10 by Sue S and photos 1,4-6 by Barbara.