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Our group at the 248 Lookout, with Mangrove Creek in the background
There was no indecision about the weather for this walk: Friday dawned fine, warm and sunny and not a hint of rain (unlike last week). 23 walkers dutifully turned up at the meeting point and then headed towards the track-head. A very short, sharp section of 4WD track meant a car shuffle while the more mild-mannered vehicles parked at the foot of the ‘hill’ (thanks Kurt and Pragati) and with a brief regrouping it was off on the walk. Following the ascent of Mt Olive, it was agreed an early start warranted an early morning tea – taken with a splendid 360 deg. view of the surrounding hills and valleys.
Morning tea and a welcome break after climbing Mt Olive
The leaders opted for an anticlockwise circuit this time (having travelled clockwise for the 2013 walk), and so off we went on what was initially fire trail before turning off onto the 248 side-track. At the end of the 248 track it opened out onto extensive rock shelves which, ultimately, gave views down to the green valley of Mangrove Creek and wider afield to distant mountains (Mount Yengo, in Yengo Nat. Park being one familiar to the leaders). Sue F guessed the answer to John G’s quiz question: why is it called the 248 track? A mundane but quirky surveying answer: the rock shelf is shown on the topographic map with a ‘spot height’ of 248m AHD. The promised prize was an ice cream (it being too hot to carry a Toblerone). (Icecream being much more amenable to being carried on a hot day! - Ed.)
An early WOP after morning tea (Waiting on photographer)
The forest was ablaze with yellow bloodwoods, at peak performance.
Approaching 248 Lookout Distant view of Mangrove Ceek, from 248 Lookout
A return to the main track and then a carefully chosen descent of the badly-eroded track and we were at Hominy Creek and shortly after, Emerald Pool – looking truly emerald in the midday sun. Midday? Of course – it must be lunch time! Convenient rocks for lunch seats were a bit spread out, so walkers lunched up and down the creek bank – some inspected the Aboriginal grinding grooves and the engraving – what was it? Maybe a fish? One leader tried leading the walkers into having a swim in the Emerald Pool – but alas (even though she was a lass) – she was the only swimmer.
Ground-cover teatree Rare straight creek alignment above Emerald Pool Grinding grooves, below Emerald Pool
Emerald Pool Lunchtime entertainment for onlookers at Emerald Pool
So then it was onwards and upwards for the return journey over track and then fire trail. Some of the ups were seriously up in the warm afternoon sun, but all arrived safely back to the cars and then on to the coffee stop at Peats Ridge (at the old ‘Oak Milk Bar’ – for those who could remember far enough back!).
Thanks Don B as tail-end Charlie and Lyndy and Don Wo as first aiders – for which purpose – happily, they were not needed.
Walkers: Helen A, Don B, John D’C, Elaine, Sue F, Lyndy, Kas, Chris McA, Dawn, Margaret P, Elizabeth P, Pragati, Bill S, Kurt, Jenny S, Vreni, Nick S, Deidre, Lyn, Don Wo. Visitor Ron S.
Leaders Ros and John. A total of 23
Photos: Nick S (1,15); Lyndy (3); Don Wo (2,4-14,16)