Once more unto the Gardens of Stone: Point Cameron

And once more I declared it the best walk ever! We started from Camerons Point Trail, off the Bicentennial National Trail. Then northwards via McLeans Pass, skirting Mt Jamison and Mt Davidson, and on to The Pondage, and Point Cameron.

Along the way there were the most amazing views in all directions.

And lots of wildflowers, like these flannel flowers

 

 

 

 

 

Looking to the north and west towards Baal Bone Point and Pantoneys Crown.

Above right: the rare pink flannel flower. When we saw some last year we were told we'd likely never see them again. Only after a fire, and only if you're lucky. I'm not sure that the multiple massive fires we had since then count as luck, but there are indeed lots of pink flannel flowers around now.

Above: The Wolgan Valley and the amazing Donkey Mountain can be seen to the east. I understand it's not so amazing after the fires, and has been damaged rather horribly. Here's what it used to be like: 2016 Donkey Mountain visit

Right: A bit of an obstacle, but very convenient tree roots

Looking west, towards Baal Bone Gap 

 

 

 

Ahead of us is Point Cameron, with its big cluster of pagodas, and lunch destination, 'The Nipple' (the pointy one to the left of centre, also called Ngamperi Rock).

 

Lunch atop 'The Nipple', with views across the Capertee Valley, said to be the world's second biggest canyon somehow.

Once more to Murray Anderson

A few weeks ago I visited Ku-ring-gai Chase's Mt Murray Anderson via the gruelling off track route. See here: Last month's trip. As reported, I was delighted to discover that there was also an easy way, along a pleasant little bush track. So this time I did it that way. It was a pleasant half day stroll.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I even had time to thoroughly explore the extensive rock platforms, with their many indigenous carvings.

Ode to the fire trail

In this case one of the fire trails of the Berowra Valley National Park, near Arthurs Circle in Mt Colah.

In the pecking order of bushwalking routes, the humble fire trail has a somewhat lowly status. But at this time of year especially, it can offer a very pleasant and rewarding experience.

Attractive wildflowers, happy songbirds, scribbly gums, beautiful Sydney red gums, and quite dramatic vistas across the Berowra Valley.

 

I'm sure the trails around there have existed for a long time, but I only just discovered them, courtesy of the new map that just got printed. The National Park was only gazetted a couple of years ago, hence the map. Incidentally, they don't sell maps at many of the outdoor/bushwalking type shops anymore. Everyone relies on their GPS or their phone apps. I had to go to the specialist map shop in Parramatta.