Mt Wilson Mt Irvine Bushwalking Group Volume 23 Issue 10 October 2013

LITTLE ZIG ZAG AND BUSHRANGERS CAVE TOPIC in the late 1890s; at this time an OUR old musket, bootmaker’s last and other items were found. SEPTEMBER Also found in the cave was part of an 1822 Sydney newspaper WALK containing the descriptions of LITTLE ZIG ZAG, four escaped prisoners. The BUSHRANGERS CAVE, existence of the cave was RIENITS PASS & WILSONS known much earlier than 1890 GLEN at MT VICTORIA however; the 1879 Railway th Guide of New South Wales Friday 20 September 2013 speaks of the ‘Little Zigzag or “A penny for your thoughts” is Cunimbla Pass’ and states: an oft-used throwaway line; six “Half-way down this road are pennies, a mere pittance, had a some remarkable fissures in the profound effect on someone Spring in the Bush rocks, known as the Cunimbla associated with the route we will Caves. These extend into the follow today. Also touching this mountain for some walk were a politician, escaped convicts, a considerable depth, and should not be cantankerous bureaucrat, a poet, an engineer explored without a light or a guide." Though and a carpenter; not necessarily listed in any the cave became known as the Bushrangers order of merit. Cave there is no evidence that it was ever We gathered in rather blustery chilly actually occupied by bushrangers. (A blatant conditions at Mount Victoria station in order enticement for tourist? – Surely not!) for Libby to lead the group to our starting The sandstone walls of the cave, patterned point, thus ensuring everyone ended up at the with ironstone inclusions, are imposing, yet correct end of the discontinuous Kanimbla one of the most striking features is a thick Valley Road. I waited at the station for Bob seam of the purest of white sandstone – Bearup, who was travelling on the Gladys amazing. The view into the Kanimbla Valley, Berejiklian Express from Sydney; Bob and I framed by the vertically elongated cave caught up with the group at the Bushrangers opening, is magnificent. Cave, bringing the number of walkers today to thirteen. Continuing down the Little Zig Zag, constructed circa 1876 as a bridle track for a This deep cave with an elongated diamond- cost of about £200 we pause at one of the zigs shaped entrance is very impressive and well (or was it a zag) for morning tea. Now well worth the rocky scramble up to inspect the below the escarpment we are protected from interior. Evidence that this cave had been the wind and the air is filled with birdsong. occupied was first brought to public attention Beside the track tiny four-petalled terrestrial 2 Mt Wilson Mt Irvine Bushwalking Group orchids, mostly pale pink but some white, nod muted light of the rainforest we are suddenly atop slender stems; possibly, not withstanding dazzled by the sunlit brilliance of the cliff that some were white, these were Pink Fingers faces; a kaleidoscope of reds, golds, browns (Caladenia carnea) . and yellows. The route of the Kanimbla Pass continues The path now leads us along a ledge at the toward the valley but we follow a footpad base of the cliffs past a cube of sandstone which swings to the left and drops down into a through which the wind has worn a slot, little gully before contouring across the slope giving the appearance of a large letterbox. through open woodland; we are now on Decorating the cliffs in this area are several Rienits Pass. clumps – one particularly large - of Epacris reclinata Henry Rienits arrived at Mt Victoria Public , their multitude of small tubular red School in September 1880 having last been flowers illuminating the scene. Some books employed at the Cooyal School near Mudgee. state these plants are usually solitary, rarely He soon locked horns with a cantankerous found near each other; the plants here are school inspector and resigned. Not for a obviously not familiar with those texts. A (Sprengelia minute was Henry going to let a bumptious cluster of Rock Sprengelia monticola) bureaucrat beat him; he employed a local clings high on a wall of deep carpenter to build him a schoolhouse of his coppery sandstone, their pure white flowers own. Situated in Montgomery Street he simply brilliant against that cupreous background. called it ‘The School’. Henry became heavily Soon we are in the cool enclosed environment involved in the community being a trustee for of Wilsons Glen; named after John Wilson, a the reserves and serving on the Progress pioneering storekeeper of Mt Victoria and a Association along with many other local Reserve Trustee. Here there are some fine organisations. examples of the Dragons Tail (Dracophyllum secundum) In 1911 he nominated as a candidate for the displaying sheafs of pinkish-white Blue Mountains Shire Council. A statement bell-shaped flowers. Steps cut into a rock face was issued that the nomination of Mr H G take us up to the path leading to Ross Cave. Rienits has been declared invalid, as the We pass two smaller caves along the way to candidate is indebted to the Council. The debt this fine cavern, it has an elongated arched was sixpence! One can imagine his shock and entry and a sturdy column separates this from disbelief. The six pennies related to exchange a side opening; a second cave sits above and on a cheque he had sent to pay rates. He was behind. James Reading Fairfax, a Reserve totally unaware of the oversight yet his Trustee of the Mt Piddington area from 1879, nomination was declared void. A penny for his possibly named the cave after his brother thoughts at the time would have been a coin Edward Ross Fairfax; both men owned well spent. properties in the area. Soon the track leads us into the rainforest Retracing our steps back to Wilsons Glen we where rocks and logs, draped in velvety moss, now head toward Pulpit Rock. We pause at glow in the subdued light. Below us, to the Bedes Lookout where an expanse of red shale right, is a small fern-lined creek; this recedes on the point forms a beautiful contrasting into the background as we climb the path foreground to the expansive view of verdant which now zig zags up the slope. We pass an pastures in the Kanimbla Valley. This embankment where thick horizontal layers of stunning vantage point was named after grey shale are exposed, contrasting politician and barrister William Bede Dalley dramatically with the surrounding forest floor. (1831-1888); he was acting Premier of NSW The track now dips down to cross the upper in 1885 and a member of the Privy Council in reaches of the aforementioned little creek and 1887. climbs into more open vegetation. From the 3 Mt Wilson Mt Irvine Bushwalking Group While taking in this view rain could be seen its trunk amazingly contorted and obviously approaching from across the valley. It was having a tough time in reaching for the sky; deemed prudent to have lunch here as there is we arrive at the top of a steel ladder. This a large overhang nearby should shelter be ladder and a subsequent set of steep stairs required. leads us into an enchanting grotto; we have The threatening showers do not eventuate, reached the Engineers Cascades. It is thought obviously blown elsewhere by the still this feature was named after the engineers who blustery winds. So, appetites sated, we make constructed the nearby Little Zig Zag. FA our way toward Pulpit Rock to complete the Franklin was a Government Engineer working circuit. Along the way we are treated to distant on road and bridge construction in that era – valley views and to the closer spectacle of the an 1876 advertisement for Perry’s Family dramatic sheer cliffs plummeting toward the Hotel at Mt Victoria talks of “Franklin’s valley. The track here, as in many areas today, Zigzag leading to Kanimbla”. Perhaps he is decorated by the exquisite tiny tubular white supervised the building of the Little Zig Zag. flowers of the Lance-leaf Beard-heath Overarching ledges surround three sides of (Leucopogon lancealatus) , the minute this grotto while the fourth is open to the blossoms borne in large numbers at the valley. The waters of a small stream leap into extremities of the branchlets. a pool at the head of this craggy alcove before Back at the cars we drive a short distance to flowing to the edge of the precipice where Kenny Street to explore some further aspects they normally plummet to the valley below; of this interesting locale. today the strong wind is blowing the water back up against the cliffs. What a pleasant Stairs lead us down to a track which runs place this would be (on a less windy day) to sit along the escarpment – this is the Henry awhile and contemplate life (or what ever else Lawson Walk. The track, formed in the 1940s took your fancy). to celebrate Henry Lawson’s connection to the area, once ran from Sunset Rock further west; I was pleased to see the local youngsters had unfortunately housing development has been been building a low rock wall across the little allowed to cut that route. Lawson’s father, stream here in an attempt to deepen the pool. Peder or Peter Larsen – it was his mother who How much better to see them doing something changed the Norwegian name Larsen to like this, rather than sitting in a dim room Lawson - was a builder and carpenter living mesmerized by a computer screen – end of and working in Mt Victoria. Indeed it was little Luddite rant. Peter Larsen who built the schoolhouse for And so we returned to the cars and drove to Henry Rienits. Henry Lawson spent a few Memorial Park in an unsuccessful attempt to years, on and off, in Mt Victoria helping his escape from the wind while we indulged in the father with his building work and with the usual after walk cup of tea and banter. Then, painting of cottages. well satisfied after exploring just some of the Above this walk is an unusual crescent-shaped many outstanding features of Mount Victoria, rock formation which affords magnificent and well sated with the kindly donated cake views into the valley and of the mountains and slices, we headed for home. beyond; this is Henry Lawson Rock. It is said John Cardy that Henry drew inspiration for his poetry as Postscript: When I typed the sentence at the he walked the mountain tracks and while beginning of this newsletter regarding the sitting here and at Sunset Rock - he wrote various people who had touched this walk, the several poems relating to the area. spellchecker insisted there should be no Continuing along the track, exposed to the comma between ‘politician’ and ‘escaped strong wind rushing up from the valley, we convicts’; I imagine many would go along drop down past a small white-barked eucalypt, with that. 4 Mt Wilson Mt Irvine Bushwalking Group Henry Lawson’s father died on the last day of descent and subsequent ascent of 1888 from a heart attack, he was fifty-six; that approximately 640 metres; the final 250 same year Henry wrote ‘The Blue Mountains’- metres being quite steep. To experience the four stanzas follow: majestic blue gums and the valley scenery and to sit at the base of Govetts Leap Falls make it all worthwhile, but be aware of the effort The stream that, crooning to itself, required. Comes down a tireless rover There is the need for a car shuffle to transport Flows calmly to the rocky shelf, us to our starting point at Perrys Lookdown from Govetts Leap Lookout where we will And there leaps bravely over. leave most of the vehicles. Meet at Govetts Leap Lookout at the end of Govetts Leap Road in Blackheath at 8.30am sharp or at Now pouring down, now lost in spray Merry Garth at 7.50am for an 8.00am When mountain breezes sally departure; note this is a long walk and we will need to get under way on time. The water strikes the rock midway, Bring morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. And leaps into the valley Contact Libby Raines on 4756 2121 after

7pm or Helen and John Cardy on 9871 Now in the west the colours change, 3661 or on mobile 0418 646 487 if you need The blue with crimson blending; to leave a message. Behind the far Dividing Range FUTURE WALKS (Tentative schedule) th The sun is fast descending Friday 15 November – Fortress Ridge north of Leura

Friday 6 th December – A Mt Wilson And mellowed day comes o’er the place, morning walk and our end of year And softens ragged edges; Christmas luncheon. (Note the move to the FIRST Friday of the month to hopefully The rising moon’s great placid face avoid clashes with other Christmas Looks gravely o’er the ledges. commitments.)

BUSH CARE OUR OCTOBER WALK th Bush Care is held on the second Friday of Friday 18 October 2013 each month from 9am to Noon. Any help, The Jewel in the Crown of the Blue even for a short time, would be appreciated. Mountains – The Cradle of Conservation in 11 th October at Silva Plana New South Wales 8th November at Founders Corner Blue Gum Forest – Perrys Lookdown to th Govetts Leap Lookout 13 December - meet at Hay Lane The group has visited the Blue Gum Forest on Contact Libby Raines on 4756 2121 for six previous occasions; the last being in details October 2010. This will be the first time we have entered via Perrys Lookdown and exited

via Govetts Leap Lookout. This walk of about 12 kilometres is rated as hard and is for the more fit walkers in the group, there is a