Lumeah Ave Track - 10 Sep 2024

 Today's walk is a circuit of the Lower Mount Wellington hills starting and finishing at the end of Lumeah Ave, Lenah Valley.

Once again the weather gods are on our side with a cloudy sky and warm northerly winds which we will be sheltered from for most of the walk.

 Heading off along the track.

Small funghi.

Heading along the Barossa Creek track.

From the Kalang Fire Trail we climb this open area which is quite moist probably as a result of the rain over the last couple of weeks.

Two years ago when the group walked through here the gully was completely white from frost.

Enthusiastically climbing the hill to the Priest Fire Trail.

While having morning tea alongside the Priest Fire Trail there were a number of comments about the fossils in the road and on the side of the road.

Morning tea over the climbing continues.

A perfectly formed shell fossil.

Looking through the trees towards Claremont and the Cadburys site.

There are some quite large eucalypts in places along the walk.

Negotiating a small off track exploration.

Which ends up with success as we located the patch of Nodding Greenhood orchids from our last visit.

And Joy also spotted these Mayfly Orchids in the mulch layer under the eucalypts.

Native Indigo in early flower.

Looking over Selfs Point Oil facility towards Geilston Bay.

The undergrowth has grown quite a lot since our last visit.

After a second off track exploration we selected a sunny spot for lunch.

One of a few obstacles in the way today.

The last climb before the cars.

Some Maroonhood Orchids by the track.

Smiles as the car is near.

 We had 15 walkers today who covered just under 6 kms in 3.25 hours climbing and descending 180 meters in the process.

Old Farm Road - NewTown Falls 3 Sep 2024

Following a week of very strong winds and lots of rain the forecast for today will allow our little group to meander around the lower slopes of Mount Wellington.

We leave the cars at the top end of Old Farm Road and head up Myrtle Gully to Junction Cabin then on to NewTown Falls circling back via The Main Fire Trail to our starting point.

 The group heading towards Myrtle Gull Track.

Our first waterfall of the day which was quite spectacular as it usually only has a trickle over it.

There was plenty of water running in the creeks.

One of a number of minor creek crossings.

The remains of an old hut alongside the track.

It is a good consistent climb up the gully.

Lots of little streams running onto the track.

And another bridge.

The edges of this part of the gully are very uniform we wondered whether they were man made.

A step up the hill from the track and there was more evidence of man made construction with another hut style wall and level shelving.

Fungi.

Moss covered boulder fields.

Looking down into the center of a Dicksonia antarctica or Man Fern with the new growth showing through.

One of the larger trees still standing alongside the gully track.

And a steep section of the track.

Levelling out

Heading towards NewTown Falls after morning tea at Junction Hut.

Even in this section of dry eucalypt forest there were still little streams of water appearing alongside the track seemingly emerging from underground then disappearing a short distance away.

Fungi.

A view through the trees to the Bowen Bridge and Prince of Wales Bay.

NewTown Falls.

Lunch on the steps beside the falls.

The Falls drop quite significantly on the lower side of the track.

After discussion regarding crossing the creek our first walker makes his way without getting wet feet.

Once over the creek we head off.

 

 

 Checking for wet feet after another creek crossing.

Following the Main Fire Trail which our leader told everyone was relatively flat.

The Casino and Sandy Bay from the Main Fire Trail.

One of a number of water holes for use by the Fire Service in the event of a bushfire.

A creek that crossed under the Main Fire Trail.

You take the high road and some of us will take the low road.

The final descent back to the cars.

 

 We had 11 walkers who covered nearly 9km and climbed and descended 460 meters over 4.25 hours.

A most enjoyable walk with few challenges and nice to do in good weather,

Thanks to Chris for his photos.