Dharug Dawdle

[kanangra]

I took a run up to Dharug NP yesterday. I drove up Oyster Shell Rd and parked the car at Greengrove. I then jumped on my bike and rode back around through Spencer to the end of the Eastern Commission track. Here I stashed the bike in the bush and set off up the track on foot. It climbs steeply at first and there are some good views back out over the Hawkesbury. It continues to follow the powerlines which does detract from the wilderness feel but does help open up the views. Then the track follows the ridge around while the lines go straight across a valley. This section has a very remote feel to it. Eventually the track rejoins the lines and follows them down to the valley where my car was waiting.

This is a good little half day trip. NB the track has a locked gate at either end. It comes out at No. 445 on Oyster Shell Rd. Note this road is open all the way to Primrose Hill Farm. Here there is a gate with a stile. Walkers are permitted to continue. At the gate there is a Dharug NP sign advising that it 7km to Ten Mile Hollow and 4.5km to the park boundary.

K.

[davidmorr]

Nice bit of country that. As you say, has a real remote feel to it.

I assume you came down the fire trail back to your car?

[kanangra]

Yes I came down the fire trail to the car and then drove around to the other end and picked up the bike. Took the ferry at Wisemans on the way home. A good round trip.

I am now looking at a circuit from Ten Mile Hollow that cuts across country from the Western to the Eastern Co. track and then back via Oyster Shell Rd.

K.

[davidmorr]

Once you get off the fire trails, it is pretty thick scrub, even on the top of the ridges. It's not impenetrable, but sometimes takes longer than you expect.

On one trip, I started up the fire trail where you left your car to get to the top of the ridge, intending to follow it back alongside Oyster Shell Road to the main road. Tuned out to be very scrubby. Ended up having to drop off the side about 1km from the end as it was getting a bit dark.

It was pretty treacherous getting down almost a cliff, but even worse, we ended up in the back yard of a property with rottweilers as guard dogs. Fortunately, the owner was there and kept them under control.