Frith Gully-Mt Cockatoo Circuit, Enfield - 15.1 Kms

 U3A Hike No. 126

Our group photo. Mark used his Photoshop skills to take the photo, then add himself later!

Hike Report by Julie Chandler

A meander, randonnée, hike, bushwalk, wildflower wander! Call it what you like! Today’s hike offered much to enjoy.

12 walkers experienced perfect weather and following yesterday’s rain the bush was clean and fresh, no dust, not too much mud and neither of the two creek crossings too challenging despite Gordon’s recommendation to bring spare socks!

Entering from Incoll’s Road we took an anti-clockwise direction along Frith Gully and Long Creek Track back to Misery Creek Road via Mt Cockatoo. We followed walking paths, rough bush roads with steep ruts through isolated parts of the park. There were deep gullies, lush vegetation and high ridges with open scrub areas that still bear the scars of extensive 19th Century mining. As one would expect we found several mine shafts, some at least 3-5 metres deep.

It was a delight to continuously observe an abundance of wildflowers. Collectively, we identified Donkey (leopard?) orchids, Common Bird Orchids, Tall Bluebells, Black Anther Flax Lily (Dianella) Fringe Lilies, Blue Pincushion, Grass Trigger Plant, Goodenia, Lomandra, Yam Daisy, Rice Flowers, Milkmaids, Native Violets, Small Grass Trees (Xanthorrhoea) with their trunks underground and Enfield Grevillea (Grevillea Bedggoodiana) listed as vulnerable and endemic to the area. The parasitic species observed near the end of the walk may have been one of the Dodder Laurels (Cassytha Melantha).

Many thanks Gordon and Andrew for your never ending meticulous planning of our walks.

Photos by Mark





















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