Severly Overgrown in between Florence Head & Rusden Head

[DJ Wombat]

Ron Doughton rated this offtrack section as a "Medium" day walk with "gently undulating" ascent and descent.
Dr Kate Grarock posted a 40min Youtube video https://youtu.be/ouGE_DJ8atE?feature=shared on her solo overnight hike in between the two Heads, back in 2022.

I attempted a solo a year ago however detered by the constant drenching rain. Given the impression from Kate's video, yesterday I packed light and expected to complete it in 4 hours. As a result - a hellish 8-hour constant bashing (actually 4.5hr on the move and 3.5hr too tired to move).

I started from Florence Head side because according to Ron's Budawang book there is a quite densely vegetated section on that side. I wanted to beat it in the early morning then the rest just leasure stroll along the clifflines. Passing a small section of undulating rocky cracks with unpleasant thorny bush there is a large expanse of highland heath - about thigh to chest high. It looks not that bad, however every step, I mean every *&%$#! step there is a pithole on the ground due to soil erosion - all concealed in the tall grass. Grass types are mainly tussock and sawgrass - which are annoying enough by themselves.

The mid section approaching Jindelara Fall is relatively enjoyable - with open rocky cliffline with Pigeon House Mt right in front and Talaterang on the right.

The worst overgrown part is shown deep red circle on the graph. I couldn't believe the bush could be such densly packed. They are mostly variouis types of wattle, black sheoak and prickly current bush. Besides very dense vertical stems there are numerous horizental fallen branches, twining with fishline thin vines. For some sections my only choice was to crawling through wombat bush tunnels. This is even worse than Clarke Saddle & McKenzie Saddle in Yawal. The 2nd half I didn't bother to take any photo - just struggling for life.

A lesson learnt - start early to allow ample time for a day hike, and prepare for the worst scenario. For those who plan to walk the section, unless you are enjoying bashing, think again, or try a little offtrack section. If not your cup of tea, turn back.

Said above, I'll come back after next big fire clearing off the bush. There are a few deep dark ravines along the cliff look very intriguing.

[puredingo]

Haha great report mate, and yes, it’s a mongral bit of scrub alright…been there done that!

I’ve also done the McKenzie saddle business too but came in from the far northern point of the turpentine range….that literally nearly killed me. Brutal.

Those guide books printed in the 80s/90s are basically, bar containing some helpful references points, pretty redundant these days. The pictures they paint in describing the landscapes are just so different to when published articles went out. And unfortunately it’s never a better difference.


I’ve whinged enough about it before so I won’t go on but I’m retired until the next clean out, it’s too taxing on equipment and the old body.

[DJ Wombat]

I’ve also done the McKenzie saddle business too but came in from the far northern point of the turpentine range….that literally nearly killed me. Brutal.

@puredingo - Your Yalwal to Yonder trip report back in Mid 2020 is still fresh in my memory.

Along the creek runs a very defined track, it looks like the NPWS have done major work here, the soil looked freshly turned as though machinery has been in and ribbon TAGS!!!

That's what you commented on the Yalwal Creek Trail. I was there last winter, 3 years after your visit - and the whole place was a complete JUNGLE MESS. The track was only distinguishable at Yalwal Rd end. A few hundred meters in, it was completely derelicted. In order to reach Bundundah & Yalwal Creeks junction, I needed to abandon the so called "walking track" and follow the creek bed.

It's just amazing how fast the mother nature can claim back what we take away from her.

There is a potential danger that, Google Map (not Earth though) still clearly marks the so called "Yalwal Creek & McKenzies Saddle Walking Tracks". Anyone following those traces will end up with a huge brutal bash.