Gravelly Ridge

Friday 10th July 2015

Start of walk

I went out to Gravelly Ridge Conservation Area today and did some walking on some of the various tracks within the boundaries of the Area. I had never been there before so just made up a bit of a circuit using Google Earth. 
To reach the walk start I turned off at Colebrook into Rhyndaston Road, Eldon Road and Hungry Flats Road and drove to the beginning of the Conservation Area. The Area can also be accessed by driving up Brown Mountain Road and Hardings Road but there is more gravel this way. Either way can be accessed by 2WD vehicles.

First section of track

 I set off up Hardings Road for a short distance before finding the old track that I wanted. It had been blocked off from vehicle access by deep excavations. This track was followed for a short while before taking to the scrub and down and across a small creek and then steeply up a hill to a fire trail on top. I walked this trail for a while before heading up to Gravelly Ridge. The scrub on the hill climb was quite open and easily negotiated.

Small Creek

Looking Uphill

Looking Downhill

Open area on top of hill

This area recently burnt

Road on Gravelly Ridge.

 Now I don't particularly enjoy walking on formed roads but had to in this case to easily get to where I wanted to go. I walked along this road until I encountered a locked gate which was actually on Hardings Road. They have made massive excavations beside the road in both directions to prevent people bypassing the gate. It seemed to be working. From here it was up the road for 300 metres to another locked gate on the right. I walked around the gate and up the track for a short distance to locate an old overgrown track on the left leading up to the highest hill in the Area. There was a short climb to the summit where there were sandstone outcrops and limited views.

From Hill

Hill Summit

Hill Summit

Hill Summit

Hill Summit

Hill Summit

Hill Summit

Instead of retracing my path back down I scrubbed bashed down the south western side to once more pick up the track. The scrub was really not bad. Back on the track I followed this in a south westerly direction until it ran out. I was hoping for views here but, alas, no. After a short stop for lunch I walked back to the car, taking a few off track excursions, as walking in the bush was just as easy as on the track because it was so open. I did catch fleeting glimpses of Brown Mountain as I walked along a ridge line.
This was a good easy walk which provided one the opportunity to stretch the legs somewhat. I enjoyed the openness of the forest which is a change from the usual scrub bash. It would be a good area to explore on bike as there are many tracks to choose from.
Distance: 17.9 kms.
Time: 4'57"
Ascent: 523 metres.
Click here to download GPX file.

Open Forest

Relic

Relic

Lunch Seat

Brown Mountain

Nice old tree that escaped the Chainsaw