Don had organised a trip to a campsite near Centre Mountain in the Blue Labyrinth. It was originally going be a weekend trip, but some potential attendees could not make it for Saturday night, but come earlier, so the tri pended up being Friday afternoon to Sunday, with people coming and going at various times.
I went up the mountains with Dave Os, and on the way we picked up Don and his daughter Elata. As we were going to drive out along Kings Tableland Road, I suggested a short trip along the first bit of the Lion Had track to see if any Pink Flannel Flowers could be found.
It was an interesting walk – but we found no Pink Flannel Flowers – but pretty of the much more common type.
We also had some nice views.
And spotted some orchids.
Back at the car, Digi Dave was waiting. We then continued along the road, and parked at the fire trail that goes near Centre Mountain. We waited a short time for Wendy and Steph to arrive.
Near the road we spotted another orchid –
We then set out. We walked a short way along the fire road then turned off and followed a ridge to a nice place where we set up our camp.
The next morning, Steph showed Wendy how to prusik –
I was looking out for birds, and we saw a pair of Noisy Friar Birds –
Like most of the Greater Blue Mountains, this area had been burnt in the previous summer’s bush fires. There was a lot of regrowth. I think this is a type of Persoonia –
And quite a few Fringe Lilies had opened up –
We farewelled Wendy and Steph, and later Enmoore arrived. We then headed off for a short walk to explore some nearby creeks. Near our camp was a small creek that we had used for water. We walked to the creek and followed it downstream. There were some nice Christmas Bushes in flower –
The creek started dropping steeply with some small waterfalls –
WE had to do some route finding and scrambling to find a way down to the major creek – Rocky Knob Creek. It was almost a canyon. Dave Os had a swim –
We then walked down Rocky Knob Creek until we found places where we could scramble out.
I headed up wth Don and Elata. We had spotted some nice Blue Gums (E deanei) higher up and wanted to check them out.
We also found some more orchids. Here is some Cymbidium suave –
We had another pleasant evening back at camp. The next day, rathe than walk back the way we had walked in, we headed down to another creek. Here is a Drosera binata in flower –
At the creek, we filled up with more water, then continued to the Centre Mountain Fire Road on the ridge on the far side.
Here is a caterpillar with its own home –
On the fire road, I headed up with Dave Os and Digi Dave to Centre Mountain.
Here are two of the three Daves on the summit.
We found a nice lookout on the side –
And, walking back we disturbed a Goanna, which quickly climbed a nearby tree.
And walking back to the cars, we saw a few more orchids –
This was a very pleasant outing. Thanks to Don for organising and for Dave Os for organising the transport.