Bushwalkers brave wintry trail conditions

TWELVE hardy bushwalkers assembled in icy, overcast conditions for Gloucester Environment Group’s July bushwalk.

The plan was to explore the western end of the Glowang Mountaineer Trail – starting from Gloucester Tops.

The walk started by crossing the upper reaches of the Gloucester River (above the Gloucester Falls).

The temperature of the water at this point could be categorised as “bracing”, said walks coordinator Rod Eckels.

“From past experience however, this river crossing was ankle deep and easy,” Rod said.

“But today the water was running deeper, wider and colder than on previous visits, which led to a bifurcation of the walking group.

“Half the group removed their shoes, girded their loins and crossed the river, before finding a place on the frost-covered ground to dry their numbing feet before putting their shoes back on.

“The more sensible half of the group decided to leave their loins ungirded and enjoy the trail that led to the Gloucester Falls, the River Walk and the Antarctic Beech Forest.”

The river-crossers headed east along the Mountaineer Glowang Track – past the intersection of the Mount Nelson Trail and followed a fire trail that undulated up and down along the ridge line that forms a watershed between the Gloucester River and the Wangat River.

This walk offered scenic mountain views across Gloucester Tops wilderness in Barrington Tops National Park, between Gloucester and Dungog.

Both groups enjoyed the high-elevation “Tops” vegetation that included Snow Gums (one of the few locations outside of the Snowy Mountains National Park), towering Messmate trees, Sassafras and magnificent Antarctic Beech forest with an understory of tree ferns.

The Gloucester Environment Group plans a range of activities including River Care, Koala Ways, Bird Watching, Native Seed propagation, Bushwalking and quarterly feasts.

To participate in any (or all) of these activities, please contact Gloucester.environment.group@gmail.com.

The next walk will be on Sunday 17 August in Crowdy Bay National Park.

“It will not be a tough walk – a little over five kilometres doing the Diamond Head loop walk which offers scenic coastal views across Crowdy Bay National Park,” said Rod.

“Expect beaches, lookouts, and glinting rock faces, giving Diamond Head its name.”