Suhrs Rd. - Glen Dhu Trail 2015

  DO NOT USE

THE TRACK ACCESS FOR THIS IS CLOSED BY THE PROPERTY OWNER.


Just a quick note, the date that appears at the top of each post is not the date of the walk, but the day the post was added.


Today we're walking from the end of Suhrs Road outside of Collinsvale, which will connect with the Glen Dhu track that runs just below Collins Cap. Bob is our leader and, as he still has a deal with the elements, the weather is perfect.

Suhrs Road isn't on many maps, but runs off Collins Cap Road just west of Collinsvale. We had a little excitement when one of our cars was late, but nothing major and little delay in starting.

There is some parking available at the sign, but keep the gate clear as this is private property. Leaving the cars, we walk up the road, past the hogs and sheep and head for the base of Collins Cap.

Signage at the parking area. What's wrong with this picture?

These are the only permits required. If you look at the first photo, you'll see a yellow sign in the background. The landowner has put this up just to make sure everyone understands!

Collins Cap from the parking bay

Waiting for the rest of the party

Distant hills appear blue

All together again, we set off towards a distant gate. Passing through, we bear to our right and come to the beginning of Wellington Park and the start the Collins Cap Trail.

It's only a bit wet at the start.

We continue up and around until we come to another barrier. Here we go left on a small track that runs a short distance through the bush and then rejoins the main trail.

Young bush

Here we take a short bypass around the gate and back to the main trail

Now, we're back on track

The Collins Cap Trail continues up hill, getting steeper as it goes. On the way, we pass some pretty bush sights.

Going up...

...leaving the photographer behind

It's just over a 2km climb before we reach the junction with the Glen Dhu Trail where we stop for Morning Tea.

Looking back during the climb. That's the Derwent River in the distance

I'm too far in front of this group to enable you to see how happy they are to be walking uphill

The view from Morning Tea

Morning Tea at Glen Dhu Trail junction

And again, another view

Tea finished, we start on the Glen Dhu Trail that runs around the bottom of Collins Cap. It's a slight uphill grade, that brings out comments about Bob's definition of flat.

The track is initially wide and clear

Start of the track turning off the Glen Dhu Trail, up to the summit of Collins Cap

New growth from the base of the gums, results of a fire a couple of years ago

When the bush recovers fully, this view will not exist

A bit of running water in places

The track is now becoming narrower, as the bush begins to take it back.

Small scree field below Collins Cap

Bush colours

We're starting down now, and footing is becoming trickier.

This is where John decided to disobey Bob and strike off to his right. I followed - in my official capacity of course

Well, in our defense we could see Bob and there was a clear path to where he was standing. So why walk down then up instead of across?

Interesting plant

I haven't had a chance to look this one up. I'm hoping it's not introduced.

We're getting lower now and this is the first view of the Yellow Cliffs.

 Bob says there's a track over there, so watch out for next year!

Looking at a map, this could be Mt. Marian. I'm happy to be corrected

This appeared more atmospheric in real life. The camera makes the scene much lighter even without a flash

The first of a number of fallen logs we go over and under

Since we're getting lower, views are appearing of the surrounding country.

Another log

And another

Yet another log provides seating for most of us for our lunch break.

Carol sets up camp

The gleam in my right eye is the selfie stick

After lunch we continue on and the track becomes more overgrown. It's an old logging road as you can see from some of the old stumps along the way.

Lots of man ferns in this part, also much damper under foot

Here be leeches - and ticks!

One of the large old stumps off the track. Notice the two slots for springboards that look like square eyes just down on the right

The trail begins to open out again and we cross several small rivulets. Signs of civilization appear in the form of a black plastic pipe running next to the track.

There are cattle behind a fence to the right. Just ahead is a pleasant meadow where we've had lunch in the past

We think the centre is Mt. Dromedary and the larger peak just in from the left is Platform Peak

 Now, we walk through a gate and start to follow a dirt road through a farm. This is Nicholls Road and will lead us back to Collins Cap Road. It's pleasant walking, passing as it does through old farm land. When we reach Collins Cap Road we turn right up a long slope back to Suhrs Road.

I'm not a fan of road walking, but the views are good and there's little traffic. I think we only saw one car. We provided entertainment for farm dogs along the way and saw a couple of eagles overhead. I didn't get a photo as I didn't want power lines in the picture.

Starting on Nicholls Road.

Collins Cap again with some bird I didn't notice at the time. This is from Collins Cap Road

Something familiar in the distance. The tower on Mt. Wellington

Returning to Suhrs Road we walk down and are entertained on the way by lots of emus and a couple of horses racing around their paddock.

Someone said it looks like a child had built the cone on top

There were quite a few of these in this paddock, obviously a commercial operation

This is a great circular walk with a good variety of terrain, and I think everyone enjoyed it.

We had 15 walkers and covered 9.22km in 3:47hrs. Did I say the weather was perfect?

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