by Ms_Mudd » Tue 29 Sep, 2020 8:38 pm
I walked Washpool Gibraltar World Heritage Trail week before last, Tues-Fri. My planned walk was canned at 9pm the night before as there was an aerial cull in my local NP, so I had to plan a loop walk in NSW totally on the fly. I am not sorry, had a great few days.
Am back up in the Northern Tablelands this week too, but only day walking.
I would guesstimate 95% of the trail was fire affected, however, it was so encouraging to see the regrowth and hear the frogs in the subalpine swamp areas. I enjoyed myself.
I parked at Mulligan's and left at lunchtime the first day, walking anticlockwise to Coombadhja, set up camp then did the 8.5km loop that comes off the campsite before darkness fell. Only two other walkers in camp, very quiet and comfortable sleep. 19km day
Struggled Day 2, arrived at Grassy Creek by 1030hrs though, decided to stay there, walked up the creek a little and set my tent up and enjoyed the sound of gently cascading water all night. Another solo woman walked into camp late that Arvo, plenty of room for us to spread out. Finished a book. Drank heaps of coffee. Bliss. 7.5km day
Met some day walkers who were regulars to the area who suggested what I had thought already, Boundary Falls full of winnebagos and not great, they gave me a suggestion for a stealth location near water further on, which I took. Had a beautiful, remote camp with incredible views that night . 20km day
Last day only had very easy flattish 10.5km back to Mulligan's. Saw heaps of snakes, nice walking. Cold shower at Mulligan's, early lunch in Glen Innes, back to my place 5hr drive away just before dinner.
Mulligan's felt like a very safe place to leave my car, with the added benefit of the cold showers available when I finishshed.
All but a 2km stretch of the trail was wide, management/fire trail but I have no beef with that, I just love walking and don't need to be on single-track or offtrack to find my happy place.
The various streams along the way offered frequent opportunities to top up my water, so I never needed to carry more then 1.5lt.
It was a story of hope for me-the landscape had obviously been heavily impacted by fires, yet was recovering. Plenty of bird and reptile life about, marsupials, not so much.
Enjoy yourself, I did