a
Thirty-two walkers assembled at the Cumberland State Forest in West Pennant Hills for a relaxing walk, coffee, and picnic or BBQ.
Australia's only metropolitan state forest and an oasis in Sydney, Cumberland State Forest contains 40 hectares of native forest. The original privately-owned land was cleared in 1908. In 1938 its management was taken over by the then NSW Forestry Commission and was dedicated as a State forest in 1939. One third of the land was planted as an arboretum while the rest was allowed to regenerate naturally.
A series of looping walks radiated from the central Bellamy Picnic Area. We split into three groups with the faster walkers led by Rick, followed by regular walkers led by Deidre and the EZY walkers led by Lyndy.
Leaders discussing options ...'Can they do that?' 
All sorted - now the briefing.
Because each walk looped back to the picnic area, each group could do as much or as little as desired, before being lured to the café for coffee.
The map below shows the full route (7km) taken by the faster group with the other groups doing parts of this.
Tall trees ... 
... Treetops walkway ... 
... some with exposed roots
Amongst the Treetops 
Nearing the top of the Palm Gully Trail
The weather remained fine, if dull, throughout the walks. A shelter provided cover for picnic or BBQ lunches and socializing across all three levels of walking grades.
A great lunch shelter 
And then back on the track
Forest fungi - 1 
... 2 ... 
... 3 ..
Walkers: Barbara, Carolyn, Celia, Christine G, Christine M, Claude, Cleona, Clive, Deidre, Don W, Elaine,
Elizabeth, Hazel, Helen R, Karen, Kas, Louis, Lyndy, Margaret P, Martin, Michael F, Nick S, Peter T, Pragati,
Rick, Ron, Sue F, Tim, Wendy C, Wendy P and visitors Ingrid and David.
Words: Rick.
Photos: Don W 1-5, 8; Rick 7; Nick S 9,11,12; Deidre 6,10.
Map: Rick.