Berowra to Mt Kuring-gai 23/8/2015
Garrett M, Manon N, Sam B, Alynda K, Kevin L, Alastair M, Chris L, Arun D, Michelle L, Maria C
The week began with two separate beginner-friendly hiking trips being offered; Manon and Sam's trip to the Grose Valley and my trip to the Ku-ring-gai Chase. As the week progressed, and the forecast for heavy rain became more and more certain, the piking sickness spread. With the loss of so many fair-weather hikers Manon and Sam decided to combine their trip with mine. After a few emails and messages from me to the group warning reminding them of the expected heavy rain we lost a couple more people. Nonetheless we had a keen party of 10 that were willing to take on whatever precipitation the heavens had in store.
Most of us met at Central for the 1 hour train ride to Berowra where we met Manon and Chris. It drizzled lightly while we were on the train and for about 5 minutes after we got off. We leisurely followed the well-marked track that took us down some switchbacks below the station and along Waratah Gully until we reached Waratah Bay. The trail followed the water's edge for the majority of the hike and took us past a an old rusted boat.
Checking out the old boat in Waratah Bay (photo by Chris L)
As we continued along there were comments about the lack of rain. We had stayed dry so far, but the downpour had been forecast to occur around 11 am. It should be here any time now...
Wildflowers and blurry hikers (photo by Chris L)
The rain never came and the weather was great the entire morning. It was only just after 11 when we reached the turn off to Mt Kuring-gai station and no one was ready for the hike to end. So we casually made our way further along to Apple Tree Bay where we stopped for lunch in front of the little cafe/shop there. As we were packing up our gear after eating, the shop owner came out with a little bag of chocolates for us. It was very nice of her, especially considering Alastair was the only one to have purchased anything from her. We continued up the hill towards Bobbin Head for some nice views of Cowan Creek and found a brush turkey furiously scraping the ground.
We eventually wound our way back along the track until we reached the turn-off to Mt Kuring-gai station. We took a few group shots before heading up the hill.
Walking along Cowan Creek (photo by Chris L)
Group shot (photo by Chris L)
Goof shot (photo by Chris L)
The final climb offered a few more opportunities to stop and enjoy the views of the Ku-ring-gai Chase before we walked through a neighborhood to get back to the station. Right on cue the rain started up again as we waited under the protection of the station for our train. Manon and Chris decided to walk the 4.5 km back to their car at Berowra rather than wait 45 minutes for the next train. The rest of us took the next train to Hornsby where Alynda, Arun, Alastair, and Michelle, who hadn't had enough hiking for one day, headed off for a bit more walking. Sam, Maria, Kevin, and I made our way back to Sydney and home for a nice end to an easy day of walking.
Thanks to Chris for all the pictures.
-GM