Wilmot River walks new blog site

[billshep]

The new blog site for Wilmot River Walks is http://billshep1.wordpress.com/

Please note that only walks north of Spellman's Bridge are now maintained, and the core section which is regularly looked after( fortnightly) is the Circuit from Alma to the East Ellis picnic area.

[GerryDuke]

Thanks Bill. I have never really been able to get a handle on exact details of this track. I would like to get there some time soon with a view to covering it on my site.

Is the East Ellis Picnic Ground you refer to at the end of Ellis Flats Road? According to THELIST a side track starts there.

Gerry

[Penguin]

The new blog site for Wilmot River Walks is http://billshep1.wordpress.com/

Please note that only walks north of Spellman's Bridge are now maintained, and the core section which is regularly looked after( fortnightly) is the Circuit from Alma to the East Ellis picnic area.

Bill

How are you going after all the weather damage to the tracks?

Great that the spirit of volunteer track work is still alive and well

D

[Chrisbulldog]

Thanks Bill , and I also am glad to see it maintained. Like Gerry though, have trouble getting the gist of all the tracks in the area.
Recently I was in the area of Spellman's Bridge on official business (Census Officer) and the dirt road just to the right of the northern entrance
to the bridge is called Jamieson's road ( easily missed if your not looking too).
However , just a few metres in, as your following the western edge of the Wilmot River ,there is a Central Coast sign and map
referring to this road as Dooley's Track. It gives an account of this track , goes back to 1850 and was built to service the mining area of Gad's Hill.
It goes on to say you can use the track but have to leave your car in a parking area. The last residence has a locked gate ,but with signs saying your
free to go through this property and follow the track.
Questions .1 How far does this track go? There was a fellow there building a new pump house ( after previous one was washed away), and he said
" you can walk through to Wilmot that way." Can you ?

If so is this easy to follow?
The forrest just along the 3-4 ks you can drive along this road is glorious in itself.
Cheers

[Drifting]

Looks excellent! Good work!

[billshep]

To answer the questions.
1 Yes the Picnic area is at the foot of Ellis Flats Road, accessed from Knight's road. Stay on the state forest section of the flat, rest is private. Nice camping spot.

2 Dooley's track is indeed accessed at Jamieson's Road. Respect the private property notices which are fully explanatory.You can walk through to Spellmans Bridge in around 7/8 hours. There is also an east bank track, Lucy's track, which is accessed from a laybye on Gentle Annie Road(Wilmot Road) about 0.9 km up the road from Alma bridge. Cross the road and pick up a zigzag track down to the river. Map on tree at top of zigzag. Lucy's track can be used to make a circuit walk to East Ellis Flat and beyond. as explained in the blog.

The East Ellis circuit is in good order but the river is usually high just now and wading is necessary for circuit walks. Allow 4/5 hours for the circuit. Bonne chance, Bill

[Chrisbulldog]

Thanks for all the info. Will try to get to some of the areas during summer.

[greyim]

We enjoyed a lovely walk of the main circuit today, thanks to all involved in the upkeep of this area
One snake, great swimming