Six Foot Track,

We proceeded without the scenic route via Marsden Swamp Road that Ian was initially going to include should have all vehicles departed from the same meeting point but as we now had to rendezvous with 2 visitor vehicles from the Bathurst Region on the Jenolan Caves-Hampton Road picnic area by 9.45am I had to eliminate the 10 klm scenic detour, to Ken’s disappointment.

Arriving at 9.47am we found both visitor vehicles onsite, so we now had our full contingent of attendees, all 9 vehicles, less the one cancellation that originally gave me our 10 vehicle contingent.

Veering off the Black Range Road onto the Glen Chee Road saw the first active sign of 4WD with the descents becoming steeper, narrower and winding into the valley below. It was along the Glen Chee Road we encountered our first walker, closely followed by the second and thereafter at varying intervals. We encountered our first creek crossing once we reached the valley floor, closely followed by the second and then the third which is the most photographic so there were a few images snapped of it by participants whilst passing through it.

Our fourth creek crossing saw us beginning to ascend up out of the valley floor by a series of rolling inclines and descents. Parts of the inclines are steep with winding routes to ascend them. It was upon one such incline that we came across a steeper incline straight up the hill side, a major incline indeed. Ian called it as an alternative to Ken whom was near the rear, however Les took him up on the offer immediately, closely followed by Peter. Les quickly discovered the incline was not only steep but very wet under foot, hence he very quickly ground to a halt. Whilst trying to manoeuvre himself onwards and upwards he very quickly became hopelessly crossed up and in a very awkward situation, so help was required. Peter accessed giving him a tug from behind but this carried the implication of initiating a roll over, far too risky, so Ian approached from the topside and positioned himself to create enough force to stop an impending roll over whilst Les drove himself out of the predicament. This strategy worked marvellously with Les pulling away until he ploughed straight into a deeper rut lifting the rear end off the ground, so Ian again repositioned himself creating a straight pulling force now to assist Les up the incline.

Once Les was on an even incline Ian uncoupled and began the process of backing up the hill becoming hopelessly crossed up whilst crossing through a very deep eroded rut himself, so with some tentative careful manoeuvring he repositioned himself and was again reversing up the incline and out onto the more gentle route around the steep incline. Les now followed up leaving Peter to negotiate the incline. There were a few attempts made with each manoeuvre assisting until he reached the solid surface and drove straight up. As a result of Les’s attempt, the alternative incline will hereafter be known as “Les’s Hill”. Once all were assembled back on the main route we headed off again, still climbing to the summit.

We were no sooner mobile when our TEC, Mrs Bruce advised us over the radio we had three motor bikes passing thru our convoy. At the same time Ian came upon a group of walkers taking a break beside the road, so we stopped at the walkers rest point and let the bikes go by us all. This gave Ian a chance to catch his breath, as he had clambered up Les’s Hill twice.

Shortly after this we reached the summit where a good view of the road disappearing into the valley below was obtained. There were bellbirds calling out most of this final decent and a small waterfall observed by the conscientious sightseers amongst us to the left as we neared the end of our journey which passes under some major power cables just prior to concluding on the banks of the Cox’s River.

We had made good time arriving right on schedule, 12 noon. It was most obvious by the height of the grass that this location has had some good rainfall over the past month or so, which amused Ian as he had given Paul a reassurance by email prior to the trip that the grass wouldn’t be an issue.

Once all were onsite many indulged in a toilet break and all enjoyed a well earned restful lunch break. There were numerous individual conversations taking place during this time. Mrs Bruce’s new truck got a fair bit of attention as did Steve’s awning. Ken put up his awning and disappeared under it, it’s called a nanny nap Ken. Geordi & Nick went fishing whilst Steve wondered off downstream to check out the scenery and came back with a story to tell all.

Once everyone was reinvigorated we set off to check out the swinging bridge. Getting to the bridge is a bit of a walk so we drove as far as possible up the river where we parked and went on foot the balance of the way. Not everyone went as the 300 odd steps weren’t everyone’s cup of tea. With the exhaustive climb over we all gathered to watch the interested ones cross the bridge one at a time. Some thought they were interested until they tried it at which time interest fell victim to anticipated fear, so reverse was steadily engaged. The bridge crossing is extremely thought provoking, what if? You need to put those thoughts aside and push on.

With the bridge crossings completed we made our way back to the vehicles along the single file walking track towards the steps when rustle-rustle a black snaked came out of the grass and crossed the path just behind Mrs Bruce. It not only livened her up, it put a special spring into everyone step. Back at the riverside stop there were stories of two snakes, one large and one small spotted or was it just one snake and different personal perspectives expressed of it, I can’t say as I didn’t see either or it, whichever.

It was now time for those that elected to do the day trip to make their way out, so there were fond farewells exchanged prior to boarding the vehicles and heading out. Ian was planning on running this group out to the blacktop so they could make their way home from there but as it turned out Steve had been running his GPS on backtrack (breadcrumb) so he willingly offered to lead the day trippers out. Thanks Steve, this pleased Ian no end as it gave us plenty of time to select a camp site and erect the tent in readiness for the impending predicted thunderstorms, yeah right. Mind you, it felt like it should storm but it never eventuated, thank goodness. Steve will have to conclude the day trippers story from here in. I do hope Ken got to go via Marden Swamp Road on the return run.

For the campers, the Hastings and the Weals the story continued. We selected a darn fine site and set up camp. There was plenty of time to kill so we occupied our time socialising, fishing, swimming, happy houring as well as observing walkers arrive and set up their camp sites. A lovely big Goanna stole Ian’s and one of the walkers attention for some time as they watched him cross the camp area further up and then climb a tree just to stretch out on a high limb to catch what was left of the afternoons sun. That just fascinated us. As the night approached preparation of the evenings meals commenced. There was still no rain to contend with as we sat and enjoyed the starry starry night. When retiring it become obvious just how warm the night was, as it was too barmy for a minus whatever sleeping bag, so we basically spent the night lying out of the bag.

Ian arose dressed by 7.00am to find Mrs Bruce had already beaten him to the fishing rod. What a site, Mrs Bruce in her light blue P.J.’s balancing on a rock casting. No photos taken, I’ll leave the mental picture with you on that one. It became apparent the fish in this stream just weren’t hungry, so before long Red & David were cooking breakfast. Annette was the last to rise and enjoyed a cuppa prepared by her faithful hubby. (Gosh I’m just so nice, aren’t I?) I had to be nice as I hadn’t caught breakfast, Hah! Our breakfast ended up consisting of egg and bread, a bit of a let down from fresh trout.

During this period we were approached by a walker wanting directions to Katoomba. Ian tried explaining the way but it was easier to show him. It turned out he had come from Katoomba, was hopelessly lost and couldn’t get his bearings to get back on the same path out he came in on. As the morning pushed on we observed the walkers camped near by pack and depart whilst we set about packing up ourselves prior to the predicted rains arriving. We had almost completed this task when the young girl whom had been camped just upstream from us arrived back on the other side of the river headed towards Katoomba. Spotting us, she stopped in her tracks, as she too was hopelessly lost. She had left our camp, done a big loop crossing the river and ended up where she had started from 45 minutes ago, the only difference, she was now on the other side of the river. She crossed the river and with directions from David she was finally on the way to Jenolan caves.

There was mention that being “geographically challenged” she’d make a good walking partner for Colin but I didn’t understand the point being made Col, really I couldn’t. What’s the term “geographically challenged” mean? Where was I again? Oh yeah, we were packing up, ha! With that task completed we boarded our vehicles and headed out, passing the young lady along the route, so at least she’s on the right route now.

Passing over the first rise and descending past Les’s hill it wasn’t too long beyond here before we started a game of “Spot the Bull Bar” in the fog, yes a heavy fog had enveloped around us and the road was quite damp as a result. Progressing out of the fog we ventured straight into rain.

Arriving safely at our morning tea location Redmond set about airing up the Jimni’s tyres, Mrs Bruce went tree hugging, (apparently she must really like trees) and we organised a cuppa. Thinking all the adventure was over proved to be a misapprehension as when we boarded the vehicles to leave Annette discovered a leech heading north up her leg. Bailing out we discovered others, so did Redmond, David, Mrs Bruce & Ian. Plenty of salt and some nervous twitching saw us all aboard and mobile again.

We headed over to the Great Western Highway where we bid farewell to Redmond, David & Robyn (Mrs Bruce). Ian & Annette struck extremely heavy rains at Lithgow which persisted thru until Bathurst. The highway surface was just a stream of water in places. We were sure glad we were on bitumen and not the clay rise out of the second valley.

Well, I have to thank the participants, as without them there wouldn’t have been an event. I need to thank Les for adding that special something to the trip and providing the mornings entertainment. Hope to see you all and more again real soon.

Regards, Ian & Annette.

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