Mt Wilson Mt Irvine Bushwalking Group Volume 23 Issue 11 November 2013 BLUE GUM FOREST WALK CANCELLED TOPIC ominous portent in other areas OUR of the mountains created by the high temperatures, low PLANNED humidity and strong gusty winds. Worst fears were OCTOBER realised of course when the Linksview Road fire raged into WALK life at Springwood causing BLUE GUM FOREST – devastating losses in PERRYS LOOKDOWN to Springwood, Winmalee and GOVETTS LEAP LOOKOUT Yellow Rock; thankfully no th lives were lost. Friday 18 October 2013 A plume of smoke could be seen United States novelist Thomas ascending above the horizon on Wolfe wrote: “Fire drives a the afternoon of Wednesday 16 th Spring in the Bush thorn of memory in the heart.” October as Helen and I drove How true that must be for so along an elevated section of Pitt many in the mountain Town Road while returning from grandparent community, and indeed duties at Cattai. “Looks as if it could be out elsewhere in the State, who have suffered loss past Mt Wilson” I casually commented; that in the recent fires; our thoughts go out to them was possibly the last casual comment relating all. However, though thorns aplenty were to smoke that was made by anyone for the driven into so many saddened hearts the next couple of weeks. blossoming of community spirit is wonderful to witness in times such as these. That plume was the relatively benign-looking embryonic stage of the conflagration which In these circumstances of course bushwalking erupted, fanned by strong winds - hot and dry, is the last thing one would consider that night and the following day; the beginning undertaking and our planned venture into the of the now infamous ‘State Mine’ fire. Blue Gum Forest was put off and subsequently rescheduled for March 2014. This fire sent fiery fingers east and north from Lithgow, devastating the Zig Zag Railway Although of a much lower order of complex and seriously threatening Clarence, importance, indeed shrinking into Dargan, Bell, Mt Wilson, Mt Irvine where two insignificance when compared to loss of homes were lost, Mt Tomah, Berambing, homes, these fires have effected many tracks Mountain Lagoon and Bilpin; its northward we have walked in the past; following are just spread took it across the Newnes Plateau. some of them. In the Mt Wilson / Mt Irvine area one of the possible venues for our While that fire raged in the northern sector of Christmas walk, Boronia Point, was burnt out. the Blue Mountains there remained an The fire also engulfed the tracks below Du 2 Mt Wilson Mt Irvine Bushwalking Group Faurs Rocks to Pheasants Cave, those leading Meet at Leura on Mt Hay Road in the ‘dip’ down to the Wollangambe River, also the just past Churchill St at 9.15am or at Tessellated Pavements track at Mt Irvine. Merry Garth for an 8.30am departure. The northward spread of the fire took it across There is no direct access to Mt Hay Road from places we have walked - The Lost City the Western Highway at Leura Primary School pagodas, Bungleboori, Goochs Crater, Lunch when travelling from Sydney; it is necessary Rock and up toward Deep Pass. to approach via the roundabout above the new South of the Bells Line of Road the Jinki tunnel, turn 180 degrees and travel back down Ridge, Birrabang Ridge and Yileen Spur the hill to turn left into Mt Hay Rd at the tracks were overrun. The fire surged across the school. (Or travel via Britain St or Victory tracks to Rigby Hill and Walls Lookout before Lane and Churchill St to avoid the school.) running up over Mount Banks. Those travelling from the Katoomba side also approach via this roundabout. 4WD vehicles Across The Causeway several homes were lost would be most welcome. There will be a in the Mt Victoria fire. Ikara Ridge and the vehicle rationalisation to drive to the start. Asgard Swamp area were burned and a hazard Bring morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. reduction burn was carried out from near Victoria Falls to Perrys Lookdown; this would Contact Libby Raines on 4756 2121 (after have impacted on the track to Baltzer Head 7pm) or Helen and John Cardy on 9871 and Hanging Rock. The Mt Victoria fire also 3661 or on mobile 0418 646 487. destroyed homes in the Mt York Road area FUTURE WALKS (Tentative schedule) and it appears the historic roads walking tracks th in the area would have suffered. Friday 6 December – A Mt Wilson morning walk – Zircon Creek area followed Fortress Ridge, Lockley Pylon, The Butterbox by our end of year Christmas luncheon. and Mt Hay escaped the fires although at this (Note the move to the FIRST Friday of the stage Mt Hay Road is closed while operations month to hopefully avoid clashes with other are being carried out in the Grose Valley. Christmas commitments.) The fires have not impacted National Park Friday 17 th January 2014 – Bowens Creek areas south of the Great Western Highway. Road – Bilpin to Mt Irvine John Cardy Friday 21 st February 2014 – Grand Canyon, OUR NOVEMBER WALK Evans Lookout to Neates Glen st th Friday 21 March 2014 – Blue Gum Forest, Friday 15 November 2013 Perrys Lookdown to Govetts Leap Lookout Wonderful Wildflowers, Vast Valley Views Fortress Rock Lookout and Fortress Ridge BUSH CARE off the Mt Hay Road north of Leura Bush Care is held on the second Friday of The group last visited this venue in November each month from 9am to Noon. Any help, 2009. This is a relatively easy walk, about even for a short time, would be appreciated. nine kilometres return, which follows 8th November at Founders Corner ridgelines with very few ups and downs, just th some gentle undulations. We will first visit 13 December - meet at Hay Lane Fortress Rock Lookout with views to the west Contact Libby Raines on 4756 2121 for across Govett Gorge to Evans and Govetts details Leap lookouts; we will then continue along Fortress Ridge to Fortress Hill which offers 360 degree views. .