Day 8 - Greta Rd Bumble Hill - Walkers Ridge Rd (Helen)

Clear, sunny morning, beautiful for walking and scenic driving. Some(most) walkers assembled at the ‘end of the day’ location (Walkers Ridge Rd), others like myself decided to orientate a fellow walker (Limping Linda) to a number of roads and later date meeting spots (Mt Fauk Rd, Old Forest HQ, The Pines, Walkers Ridge Rd and Letter A) and drive indirectly to the start of the days walk at Bumble Hill (ie a handicap start to the rest of the group).

The entry point of this section of the track lead us down a power line easement to a section of a historical track winding its way down to the valley floor (or more importantly our morning tea stop at the Yarramalong General Store) below a steep standstone escarpment. This track was apparently constructed in the mid 19th Century and used for the carting of cedar to the Hawkesbury River for shipping to Sydney.

Part way down the track we looked back to the top of the escarpment and noticed a home positioned very close to the edge, what a view to they would have but what a worry for littlies or biggies who had consumed a few drinks or sleep walked. We anticipated that we would probably catch up with the group at the Store (probably just as the five minute wind-up was being provided by our veteran GNW leader Peter). We the scenic routers came across Dougie and the tail enders (including a notable Heather whom is usually up front setting the pace in her running shoes). Thankfully for us we would have the full allotted morning tea break to enjoy our frothy coffee, hot chocolate and taste bud tantilising treats at the very civilised morning tea spot.

Again there were approximately 30 walkers in the days group. We headed off in clear, sunshine along the country road, thankfully the traffic was pretty scarce, the cows were plentiful, mooing and grazing, and the black cockatoos flew overhead squawking in giving notice of our presence. Ursula actually caught up with a friend as she was preparing to reverse out of her driveway. Verandahs and sun bathing spots at people’s homes were envied as we passed by. At the point (at last) where the track finally left the road for the bush our group reassembled half expecting the property owner from the adjoining property to appear and provide us with a serve which it is understood the previous years group had been privy too. The track lead through moist shaded damp vegetation (turpentine trees, rock orchids, elk horns, bird nest ferns lined the way) before the winding path lead us to the higher dry reaches of the forest. Adjacent to the intersection of the track and a forest road was our anticipated lunch pozzie, complete with rays of sun and seating for the weary walkers legs. Some sat in the shade on the seats whilst others spread themselves out on the ground in the dappled sunlight.

After lunch a relatively easy meander along the forest road lead us back to the vehicles on Walkers Ridge Rd. Eskies were retrieved, twist tops were undone as the dust and sweat of the day was eagerly washed away by some. Start-up drivers were transferred back to their vehicles as the group dispersed to enjoy the sunny Saturday afternoon. Peter and his girls were heading back to The Basin for another night under the stars.

Helen


Looking down to Yarramalong Valley from Bumble Hill


Looking up at the cliff on the track down from Bumble Hill


Morning Tea at Yarramalong store


Cows


Alpacas


Down in Yarramalong Valley


Yarramalong Valley


Cedar Brush Creek Trackhead


The break after the road and before the hill


Lunch


Neil with his leech injury


The end of the walk


Height Chart

Day 7 - Reservoir Rd Somersby - Greta Rd Bumble Hill (Linda P)

After meeting at Greta Road at 7.30 we did a car shuffle to Reservoir Road and began the day walking through a very pleasant but un-named rainforest area. This was followed by a stretch of road walking on Robinson Road, Sylvester Road and Wisemans Ferry Road. First highlight of the day was morning tea at Somersby Store - really enjoyed the cappucino!

More road walking along Wisemans Ferry Road and into Kilkenny Road where we were escorted for a short distance by a local Boxer pup. Next we descended into Ourimbah Creek Valley, another very picturesque rainforest area. More road walking along Ourimbah Creek Road through Hidden Valley, [saw some very nice properties and plenty of horses] before entering Ourimbah State Forest. Negotiating the 200m climb to Milligan Ridge was hard work and seemed never ending. Lunch was a good incentive to reach the top and the chance to recover was especially welcome.

A couple of kms after lunch we reached another highlight - the half-way marker of the entire walk. Time for a group photo opportunity. Walking into and out of Dead Horse Creek was very picturesque and my favourite part of todays walk, but again quite strenuous. The day finished with a road walk back to the cars along Cherry Lane. It was a long walk of appx. 25kms, so well done to everyone who made it.

Linda P


Angophora??


The group at half way along The Great North Walk




One of our casual walkers (Courtesy of Helen)


Logging in Ourimbah/Wyong (Courtesy of Helen)


Height Chart

Day 6 - Staples Lookout to Reservoir Rd Somersby (Warwick)

We retraced the walk of the previous week from Staples Lookout back to the Great North Walk. This was about one and a half to two kilometres and was an easy slight downhill warm up for everyone on what was a rather cool and cloudy day. For the first couple of hours of the walk the track headed close to due west.

Shortly after joining the GNW the grade increased down to the Kariong Brook. This creek, pool and more abundant vegetation and foliage was quite a contrast to the sand stone plateau we were on only a few minutes earlier.

After a few hundred meters which included a short climb and decent we crossed another waterway, Myron Brook. Still heading west we began a sometimes steep and always steady climb which led to a junction in the track and nearby to extensive views. At this junction a turn to the left (south) will in 2 km or so have you at the Wondabine Station. The GNW track heads right and close to due north towards the not too prominent Scopas Peak. To the left, or to the west, there are extensive and memorable views of Mooney Mooney Creek and valley – this is a place to return to at some future hike.

The track follows the ridge north and is not difficult. This takes us over Scopas Peak which is a 50m bump, then continues past Leochares Peak to beginning of the descent into Piles Creek.

The initial descent is uneventful however the second half of the descent into Piles Creek is spectacular. The descent has sections where there are towering cliffs above with some surviving tall timbers that are outstanding. To appreciate what is around you it is necessary to stop and look almost vertically up. On the down side of the track treetops are at track level or below with the trunk firmly set a couple of hundred feet below. This is another place to return to.

The track for this descent is in some places easy to misplace as false tracks have been created by previous walkers. On several occasions these false tracks were followed and our walkers found no where to go and had to retrace their path. Two of our group sped off ahead on this descent and chose a track which in their particular case was not a false track, however, it was the wrong track and headed for Girrakool!!. When walking north and approaching the Girrakool track junction the path to Girrakool is clear and straight on while the GNW is hard left and can be easy to overlook.

Most of the group continued down to Piles Creek, over the suspension bridge, unaware of the wayward walkers who were some way ahead.

The ‘head count’ at the suspension bridge was found to be a little lower than expected. Whilst the group rested Peter and Doug were serious about the leader role and successfully gathered in the lost soles. Doug walked a few extra kilometres by going back and accompanied the wanderers on their return to the group. Congratulations to both leaders on their efforts!!

The track is level for the next couple of hours and follows Piles Creek and Mooney Mooney Creek. The walk is pleasant, with the water always close on the left, it passes through fields of fern, under steep sections of the valley wall and always through lush vegetation. A boardwalk protects the sensitive and swampy section of the walk.

We reached the old Pacific Highway at the original Mooney Mooney bridge (built in the early 1930s) and crossed to the south side of the river to continue the walk upstream. We passed under the F3 freeway at the new Mooney Mooney bridge and soon after stopped for lunch by the river.

A quick comparison of the two Mooney Mooney bridges is worthwhile and revealing as it demonstrates the advances in technical design, engineering methods and the economic strength of the society that have taken place over the relatively short 55 years, the time between their construction.

The walk continued to follow the creek through a scenic, heavily wooded and steep sided valley. At the end of the valley walk is a waterfall, which for this walk had only a trickle of water. This is the downstream end of an extensive rock shelf. This rock bar is generously carved by water and is well over one hundred meters in length. We crossed the creek at this point and the track started the long climb to the Somersby Plateau.

The walk out is a challenge as it is over 4km of continuous steady climbing. A short way up the climb is a dam which was part of Gosford’s water supply. It is no longer in use due to pollution from the catchment area. The walk out from the dam follows the original service road which has not been maintained and is severely eroded. The last section of this day is an easy walk on level sandy tracks to the reservoirs on Reservoir Road, Somersby.

Warwick


Mooney Mooney Bridge In The Distance




Mooney Mooney Bridge


High Tea on the creek bank with Maggie and Peter


Height Chart

If you would like to check out more of Neils wonderful Photo's he has them all up on his website: http://www.aubweb.net/gnw