SATURDAY BL – MOUNT BANKS day hike [beginner]

Photo credit: Adam Lusted [hikingsydney.com]

Are you a fan of clifftop walking, native Australian flora, and sweeping views of the Grose Valley? Join Patrick and I (Campbell) for a 12km hike up and around Mount Banks.

The trail begins with a few kilometres of fire trail around the base of Mount Banks, an area which is still recovering from the 2020 bushfires. At the end of the fire trail, we’ll come to the northern rim of the Grose Valley and be rewarded with unbeaten views down to the river. We’ll then climb up to the summit of Mount Banks from the south, passing the trig station at the top, and down some steep stairs. On the northern end of Mount Banks are some incredible sandstone formations and many more fantastic vantage points just off the trail.

In total, the walk will be 12km long with 400m elevation gain, and I expect it to take 4-5 hours. We should be done before 4pm and back to camp well before the sunset at 7pm.

Parts of this walk are fairly exposed, so please pack your hat and sunscreen. Make sure you’re prepared for all weather conditions, including rain & cold (please read the packing list). Long pants are recommended to defend against ticks and scratchy plants. While this is a beginner trip, you can expect some steep-ish sections and rough ground. Bring your adventurous spirit 🙂

The plan is to carpool from Cathedral Reserve to the Mount Banks carpark, leaving at 9am. I’ll create a Facebook Messenger group chat to communicate our campsite meeting time/place before everyone arrives. Please note there is NO SIGNAL at Cathedral Reserve, so you need to check your messages BEFORE you arrive!

Packing list

• Sturdy shoes or boots
• Day pack that can fit everything listed below…
• 2-3L water
• Snacks (high-energy like muesli bars, fruit, nuts, etc.)
• Packed lunch (or just extra snacks)
• Light jacket
• Raincoat
• Hat and sunscreen
• Any personal medication
• Torch or head lamp (in case of emergency)

Optional gear:

• Personal first aid e.g. bandaids, blister packs
• Camera/electronics

Sign-ups open: Monday 9th March, 7am

Note: You need to be approved for the main Boree Log event to attend these trips. Please sign up for only ONE trip per day. If you get rejected you can then sign up for another trip, this just makes it easier for volunteer trip leaders. Please be aware that as the weather is unpredictable, trip leaders may need to alter trips accordingly.

In your sign-up comment, tell me about your HIKING EXPERIENCE, and IF YOU HAVE A CAR! 🚗