December 2011 // Many Peaks Range
December walks saw the club tackling a stormy Many Peaks Range, cactus control at Walkers Creek, and a wet weekend at DCK Shelter. Jourama Falls hosted the lively break-up weekend, complete with swimming, Santa, and a Frosty Mango stop. Next up: Crystal Creek or North Creek, weather permitting.
Many Peaks Range
The walk along the Manypeaks Range on Sunday 4 December had been a wet one. The track on Mt Marlow was flowing well by the time the party reached there, and there was thunder as well. None of the aluminium pole-carrying walkers was actually struck by lightning, and they made their way along to Bald Rock before returning to the carpark by the track at the base of the hills. Some of the wildlife was seen on this trip, despite the unfavourable weather, and the walk was concluded just before lunchtime.
The break-up weekend at Jourama Falls on 10/11 December had been a great success. Though sparsely attended on Saturday, there was a good crowd by the evening, and the overnight rain had done little to dampen the group’s enthusiasm. On Sunday, the waterfall and rock pools were visited for swimming, and there had been a lunchtime visit from Santa accompanied by his little helper. Still in high spirits, the party returned to town, making the traditional stop at the Frosty Mango on the way.
Last walks:
The ‘cactus’ trip to Walkers Creek had taken place as planned on 20 November in hot but dry weather. There had been enough water in the creek for good swims, although the flow was very slight over most of its length. After spraying them, the GPS coordinates of the remaining clumps of the weed were recorded to give to QPWS, and the buckets of previously-killed cactus were removed according to plan. It had been a successful and enjoyable exercise overall.
The weekend walk to Mount Spec/DCK shelter on 26/27 November had needed to be modified because of the high rainfall during the preceding days. It had not been possible to cross Crystal Creek from the intake road, so instead the party had driven up to the Paluma Dam road and walked in to the DCK shelter along the tracks from there. After overnighting in the shelter, Sunday’s walk back along the tracks lasted until about 1630, and the journey back to town was punctuated by a visit to the Frost Mango.
Next walk:
As the forecast is for isolated showers for next weekend, it would be best to consider walks where there is an easy and safe escape from the creek. The two obvious candidates are Crystal Creek and North Creek: Crystal Creek can be walked from Nolan’s Gully upstream, and, if a shower strikes, a return using the intake road is possible; for North Creek, the ridge route offers a similar safe exit in case of rain. A decision about which option to choose will be made on the morning of the walk, and the usual meeting arrangements were confirmed.
Future events:
The slide show evening will go ahead at 1830 on Saturday 17 December. Chris Quinn has kindly offered to host this event – the club has some brilliant photographers in its ranks and this will be an opportunity to see some of their work, and also for members to show their own photos of landscape and bushwalking interest. To keep within bounds, photos of this year’s trips only should be included, and please bring them on a USB stick or a CD. RSVP, and bring drinkies + a plate for a potluck meal.
Other business:
Members are invited by Wilf and Suzanne to attend the New Year’s Eve weekend at the DCK Shelter. There are still logistical problems with access to the tracks on Mount Spec, so if interested in coming it is essential to contact our hosts.
