Nine Batemans Bay bushwalkers and two visitors took advantage of the sunny winter weather last week to hike the Downfall Fire Trail. The 7km trail runs parallel and south of Kings Highway between Black Flat Road and Western Distributor following part of the original Braidwood to Nelligen Road.
While it was a cold start to the morning, the hikers were soon shedding layers as the temperature rose and they tackled the hills on the Fire Trail. The trail was graded in the last few months which made navigation easy, but added some degree of difficulty to the hike as the steep slopes were slippery in places due to the exposed sandy subsoils. Wind gusts experienced in this region over the last month brought down some very large limbs blocking the trail in places.
Highlights of the walk included locating a Yellow Belly Glider feeding tree and inspecting the remains of the original road’s stone retaining wall. Lunch was enjoyed on a large granite rock outcrop that provided great scenic views of the coastal ranges to the west. A number of orchids located on the rocks, out of reach of the local wallabies, were seen and plans were made to revisit this area in September when they should be flowering.
For more information go to www.baybushwalkers.org.au
(l-r) Rodney Hills, Donna Garten, Sharon Macdonald, Pat
Retter, and Mary-Ann Cassar enjoying the view of the coast range at lunch.
l-r) Donna Garten, Rob Lees, Pat Retter, Sharon Macdonald,
Denise Strickland, Tony Hardy, Rodney Hills, Glenn Blunt, Gay Samal and
Mary-Ann Cassar at morning break
**** This article first appeared on the Batemans Bay Bushwalking website
About the BATEMANS BAY BUSHWALKERS INC. First formed in 1985, we have about 200 members. We are not-for-profit and run by volunteers We are an Incorporated Association with a Constitution and a Committee to oversee administration Personal Accident, Public Liability and Associations Liability Insurance is funded by your annual subscriptions We publish 4 Walks Programs per year, with 2 walks a week of varying grades. Visitors are welcome on walks and are covered by our insurance for 3 walks per financial year Walks are led by volunteer Walk Leaders, who carry a GPS, topographic map, and when appropriate, a safety beacon. We take our safety seriously. Bushwalking is a risky business, accidents do happen, injuries do result. Each walk is graded for difficulty so that you can choose walks to suit your level of ability. Members and Visitors sign a Responsibility Waiver before each walk. We also get together for a variety of social activities and camps, but you have to be a Member to come along to those
