May 2014 Next Meeting Next Meeting Tuesday 10 Tuesday 10 th th June June Community Centre Wharf Street Logan Village Community Centre Wharf Street Logan Village 7pm 7pm Lake Moogerah from Mt Greville taken by Heather President Sue Simpson 5546 8781 Vice President Brian Watson 5543 1261 [email protected]Secretary & Publicity Officer Heather O’Keeffe 3208 6420 dizzycat1@hotmai l.com Committee Members Treasurer Lynne Lucas 3287 4934 [email protected]Website Manager Mark Filius 3398 8528 [email protected]
Transcript
May 2014Next MeetingNext Meeting
Tuesday 10Tuesday 10thth June JuneCommunity Centre Wharf Street Logan VillageCommunity Centre Wharf Street Logan Village
Minutes of General MeetingLogan & Beaudesert Bushwalkers
13th May 2014
Meeting opened at 7.10pm
Members: Heather O'Keeffe, Lynne Lucas, Malcolm Hill, Paulette & Brian Watson, Peter Rice, Regina Rosin, Denise & Ken Bouyer, Bruce Ludlow, Baudy Verriest, Alice Bennet-Alder, Jenny Kemp, Gary Logan and Andrew & Sue McLeod
Apologies: Sue Simpson, Dave Nickson, Kathy Rouse, Bruce Gore, Mindy Berghagen, Jim Holt, Bill Dryburgh, Regina Harvey, Mark Filius Minutes of previous meeting:
As per April newsletter – Bruce Ludlow accepted the minutes as being accurate. Seconded by Peter Rice Business arising from the minutes:
Nil
Treasurer's Report:
Reconciled Balances for the period to 13/05/2014 $2,045.51-------------
Plus memberships received $ 45.00Chocolates to date $ 0.00Sausage sizzle $ 0.00 Interest $ 0.00
-------------$ 45.00
Less Outgoings Rent $ Ropes – David $ 142.80Reimbursement - Sue $ 65.00
--------------$ 208.30
Balance held at end of period $1,882.21-------------
Funds made up ofAccount Balance $1,716.66Cash on Hand $ 165.55Unreceipted Memberships
------------Reconciled Balances $1,882.21
------------
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Lynne moved that the report be received be received. Seconded by Paulette WatsonEach week would the coordinator email Lynne with the type of activity that was undertaken e.g. track walk, off track walk, abseiling, swimming etc
Incoming correspondence
May newsletter from Brisbane Bushwalkers April newsletter from Catholic Bushwalkers – emailed to everyone
Outgoing correspondence
Our newsletter
Heather moved that the correspondence be approved. Seconded by Jenny Kemp
General Business
The date of Saturday 22nd November was agreed on for this year’s Christmas Party. Heather suggested that we go to Bigriggen again. It is a great venue especially with the use of the hall. The lady now running the Shed Coffee shop is a caterer and would be able to put a menu together for us if we decide that is what we want to do
The Queen’s birthday long weekend has been changed to Blackbutt. We will be walking part of the Brisbane Valley Rail Trail. Accommodation is either at the Motel or camping at the Showgrounds
Motel phone number is: 4163 0500Showgrounds phone number is: 4163 0633
Mt Warning has been changed to the weekend of 30th and 31st May. Day walk or sunrise if anyone is interested. There is also a walk at Mebbin (base of Mt Warning) if anyone is interested. The phone number for Mt Warning Caravan Park is: 02 6679 5120
Easter 2015. It is a long way off, however, most places are already booked out. The options Heather has come up with are: a house at Lake Moogerah which sleeps 10. A house at Boonah that sleeps 8 and the Donkey Farm at Boonah that has one cottage that sleeps 7 and one cottage that sleeps 4. We will need to think about it soon if we don’t want to miss out again
The Gold Coast Marathon water station has been confirmed. We have the same location as last year. The list was handed around for volunteers to add their name to. We need a minimum of 18 people
Sue has had verbal confirmation that Bunnings Brown Plains have allocated a day for a sausage sizzle – Sunday 27th July. Heather took the required documentation to Bunnings on Monday 12th April
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Sue has asked if anyone is interested in going to Canberra for Floriade (flower festival) and Mt Kosciuszko. Proposed dates are late September early October. Anyone interested in going please email Sue [email protected]
Carrin Allan has gone to do the Camino walk in Spain through a company called Raw Travel. Raw Travel will provide details of their trips for anyone who may be interested in doing this walk
Heather suggested that the Model Rules (Club Constitution) and the New Member’s Guide be put on the web page. Heather will talk to Mark
Lynne asked for numbers of people on each week’s walk to be emailed to her for the walks log. Heather to follow up as she thought she had already emailed Lynne
Heather has spoken to the Ranger for the Plunkett Conservation Park. He does 2 guided walks a year. The next one will be on 2nd August, so Heather has added it to the walk schedule. It's part of the Connect With Nature Program.
Meeting closed at 7.45pm
Happy birthday and best wishes to our club members celebrating their birthday in May:Peter Rice, Bruce Ludlow, Lesley Shaddock
If possible, please email or sms your intention to walk to the walk coordinator instead of phoning. The walk coordinator will always reply to confirm that you are listed for the walk and provide you with any necessary details.
Alternatively, please phone the walk coordinator between the hours of 6pm to 8pm on the Thursday before the walk
Please check the walks list to see when you have been nominated to coordinate a walk
The weekly walks will also be on the Facebook page which is updated every Wednesday night www.facebook.com/loganbeaudesertbushwalkers
May 2014When Outing Typ
eGrad
e Coordinator Phone
Saturday 24th
Box Forrest Circuit & Alabana FallsO’Reilly’sMeet at Canungra – 7:00am
D.W. M-3-3 Heather 0432 197 577
Sunday 25th Egg Rock from Numinbah ValleyMeet at Canungra – 7:00am D.W. Lynne 0407 643
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Saturday 31st
Mt Warning - CAMP Day walk or sunrise if anyone is interested There is also a walk at Mebbin (base of Mt Warning) if anyone is interested Mt Warning Caravan Park phone: 02 6679 5120
B.C. M-4-3 Heather 0432 197 577
June 2014When Outing Typ
eGrad
e Coordinator Phone
Sunday 1st No walk scheduled
Saturday 7th
Sunday 8th
Monday 9th
Blackbutt Rail Trail Weekend or day walkAccommodation either at Motel- phone 4163 0500or camp at Showgrounds – phone 4163 0633orCressbrook Camp
B.C.Sue for
Blackbuttor
Mark for Cressbrook
5546 8781 0414
575509or
3398 8528
Sunday 8th Cougals via Boyds ButtMeet at Currumbin Waters turnoff – 7:00am D.W. M-5-5 Lynne 0407 643
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Saturday 14th
Wyaralong Dam Long walk – 20klmorShort walk – 14klm
D.W.L-4-4or
M-4-4Brian 5543 1261
Saturday 14th -
Tuesday 17thGilbraltar/Washpool through walk T.W. Lynne 0407 643
375
Saturday 21st
Westray’s Grave and Larapinta WaterfallChristmas Creek Meet at Beaudesert – 7:00am
Saturday 5th Venman’s Reserve - CornubiaMeet at car park – 8:00am D.W. M-3-3 Sue
5546 8781 0414
575509Sunday 6th Gold Coast Marathon Water Station Heather 0432
197577
Saturday 12th Moreton Island B.C. M-3-3 Sue
5546 8781
0414 575509
Sunday 13th D.W.Saturday
19th Shepherds Walk D.W. M-3-3 Heather 0432 197577
Saturday 19th
Sunday 20thKokoda Challenge
Saturday 26th Mt May D.W. M-4-4 Sue
5546 87810414 575
509Sunday 29th
Wyaralong Dam - Saturday 14th
The Long Walk is about 20 klms and the short is about 14 klms all up. Grading for the Long Walk is L 4 4 and the Short Walk is M 4 4. As previously I would expect the short walker’s vehicles to take the long walkers to the Western End to Start their walk and then return to the Dam Wall car park. Carpooling would be undertaken at Jubilee Park. The Long Walkers have a 5 klms warm-up walk along the edge of the Dam and then head up the ridge line. This track is a broad, clean 4WD track and has a total distance about 101/2 klms. The track affords good views along the length of the dam and the Scenic Rim. The track then diminishes to a Rabbit track and long grass for the next 21/2 klms. This section has a couple of steep rises in it before arriving at the top of Mt Joyce. Here we meet the short walkers for lunch. The Short Walkers will start at the Dam Car Park , travel down the road that leads across and below the outlet of the dam and onto the track that follows the dam‘s water edge. After about 3 klms they will take a good 4WD track off to the right that takes them up up up an Eastern Ridge to a bush track on the left. The bush track, total of about 1 klm, has a short steep section up to a fence where they turn right, follow the fence and meet the Long Walkers on the top for lunch. We all return the short way down the service track back to the Dam Wall.
Brian
Phone numbers for Park Rangers and the web address for park alerts
Binna Burra - 5533 3996Boonah - 5463 5041
Main Range - 4666 1133O'Reillys - 5544 0634
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Park alerts can be found on the Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing web site
S Short - Under 10kmM Medium - 10 – 15 kmL Long - 15 – 20 kmX Extra Long - 20+ km
Fitness1 – 3 Easy - suitable for beginners4 – 6 Medium - reasonable level of fitness required7 – 9 Hard - Strenuous, fit walkers only
Terrain1 – 3 Graded or open terrain, no scrub on track4 – 6 Minor scrub, rainforest, rock hopping, scrambling, off or part track7 – 9 Thick scrub, rock scrambling, using hands or ropes, off track
ActivityD.W. Day WalkB.C. Base CampT.W. Through WalkSOC Social ActivityS&T Safety and TrainingBush Qld Bush Walking QldFMR Federation Mountain Rescue
Please NoteTHURSDAY is the deadline to notify the Coordinator for through walks, base camps and Saturday walks
FRIDAY is the deadline to notify the Coordinator for Sunday walks
Some walks may be changed at the last minute due to weather or other conditions
PLEASE ensure you contact the coordinator before your chosen walk or check the Facebook page
When car pooling passengers are to pay $7 petrol money to the driver
Make sure these are in your pack Every Week & Every Walk Hat First-aid Kit
Food 1-2ltr Water Jumper Paper & Pencil
Raincoat Map & Compass
Sunscreen Insect Repellent
Torch Lighter Matches Watch Whistle
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Walk ReportsGwongoorool Pool and Beyond:5 April 2014
The Saturday walkers were joining Brian on his “Mystery Walk” which had its beginning in a walk that he had done with the Sunday walkers during which they made their way to Fountain Falls much earlier in the year. Brian further did a reconnaissance of what he hoped would be the basis of this “Mystery Walk” with Dave and Frank on the Thursday before our walk took place and they finished up making their way up a ridge of the Darlington Range to a saddle well opposite Binna Burra which was the starting point for our Saturday walk.Heather and Sue, Bruce and Kathy, Clive and Xiaoping, Bruce Ludlow, Brian, myself and a new walker, Gary Logan, met at Canungra which we left at 7.03 a.m. while Bill and Mindy met us at the lower car park at Binna Burra adjacent to the Information Centre manned by volunteers.
All ready at 7.53 a.m., we walked the few steps down the road and then cut onto the track which leads to Gwongoorool Pool which we had visited on 18 January, this year. We carefully made our way down the steep stairs and then onto the sloping track. Since then there has been a substantial amount of rain with the result that the area was much more moist, the vegetation greener and surface water trickling through the gullies and dripping from the rock faces above – but the track was only soggy in a few small areas. We walked along the track that ran parallel to the cliff face above and the forest was alive with the sound of singing birds which really was unusual because of the number of choristers.
Some of the vertical faces were moss covered and that dreaded lantana had overtaken the upper reaches of some of the gullies. In places, trickling water sounded as it rippled over tiny falls. We passed the huge, moss covered, almost vertical deep channel worn in the cliff face by running water over the ages and then some detoured to see the very large cleft in the side of the cliff. Wild ginger, ferns the cordylines comprised the bulk of the forest’s understorey while lantana again seemed to have no opposition to its steady advance.
We continued downwards, carefully easing ourway down the hewn rock steps into the gully below with the cliff stretching so far above us. The occasional forest giant, the box gum, was dwarfed by the cliff’s height and some tall gums had a procession of staghorns extending up – or down – their upper trunks.
In one of the rocky gullies with just a trickle of water flowing along its bed, growing straight and lean, Piccabeen palms became the dominant understorey plant with their tall trunks struggling to reach the light. From other taller trees, masses of vines extended upwards – or downwards – forming huge tangled masses. The forest was filled with light but the sky above was dotted with clouds with a streak of greyness adding to their colour.
Then one of the observant members of the walk saw it – stretched out off the track, blending in beautifully with its surrounds, the position of its head indeterminable because of the leaf litter. It was a long, lean carpet snake lying motionless. I estimate it had to be just short of three metres long because of the fact that the last section of
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its tail hidden behind the buttress root of one of the forest giants zig-zag-zigged for a about 900 mm. It was one of the largest I’d seen in the wild and its leanness indicated that it was in need of a good feed with the winter approaching.
We by-passed the turn off to Gwongoorool Pool and headed for the rocky creek which was rushing freely and clearly after the heavy rain. Here Bill picked up his first leech for the day, not the first to be encountered. Carefully we crossed the creek, different ways being chosen by different walkers and but all making it reasonably dry.
Then it was off on this formed track that obviously sees little use - but the one that Brian, Dave and Frank had followed for a while two days before. We had followed it for a while on our walk to Gwongoorool Pool in January. We crossed a small, just trickling creek and made our way along this obscure track. We passed the huge fallen log at which some had waited on our January visit and marvelled at the extent to which this log had decomposed in the meantime. We passed an opening at the side of the track that gave us a limited view into the valley in front and then came to that blocked section of track which had forced [?] our retreat on January’s walk. On close inspection, a huge mass of tangled vines had become dislodged from its lofty home and fallen over the track giving the impression that no further advance was possible. It was only after some skirting deeply around the edge of this impenetrable mass that Brian found a way for us to continue.
We all managed to get past and then continued but the track was barely visible. It led us into an area that was really a haven for staghorn ferns.
There were dozens and dozens of them. Some were very small and were clinging to dangling vines. Some were huge, atop very tall trees on which there were twenty or more of these majestic ferns girdling the trunks. It was a veritable staghorn heaven, so remote from being easily accessible and too high up to have these special ferns taken.
We found a place to have morning tea so at 10.25 a.m. we sat down in any available comfortable position to eat. With the sun filtering through the forest canopy we started off again at 10 25 a.m. We crossed a gully with hewn rock steps and continued on. In this area a huge, really huge, hoop pine grew. Sue and I, last at this stage, came across something you might hear but rarely see, a very small, well-camouflaged frog. For a moment I thought it was a toad but gave it the benefit of the doubt.
Then we came across some really fascinating fungi, a clustered clump of red-topped growths with black gills. The number of different types that you come across in our tropical forests is amazing with our finding new ones unseen by us before whenever we venture into a new area.
We continued on, over fallen logs, under fallen logs on hands and knees until out leader determined that we had gone far enough so at 11.10 a.m. we stopped and turned. Above was a beautiful blue sky with an occasional white cloud floating by. We were not to find where this track finished. Thankfully it wasn’t overly hot and far from being unpleasantly humid.
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We returned to the main creek and the adventurous, well-balanced members of the group decided that they would cross the creek by the huge tree trunk that stretched from one side of the creek to the other while those, less so, dared the rushing water of the creek.
All on the other side, we stopped to have lunch at 12.15 p.m. where eagle-eyed Bruce Gore spied this strange, white object in the sand. It turned out to be the smallest top of a pencil that the other Bruce had lent me and that I had lost on the “to” journey.
Lunch finished, we started back and diverted to visit Gwongoorool Pool that some hadn’t seen before. The water flowing through was clean and inviting but none of us entered as Ken had done on the previous trip. Two other families were there but no one was in the water.
We started back at 1.10 p.m. and made our way back towards Binna Burra car park. The carpet snake had gone and hopefully would find a meal sufficiently filling to see him through the coming winter. Others groups were going down to the “pool”, the biggest of which was on a guided tour. They were all American students and were impressed to think that one of us knew the states from which they came if they came from the capital.
As we got closer to the top I noticed growing in a split in the rocks something that you come across but rarely. Seeing that I am particularly interested in ferns and their allies I noticed some Skeleton Ferns. These are not true ferns but are related to them as are mosses and tassell ferns. You don’t notice them too often but I have seen them at the Lower Portals and at one other spot where you have to detour off the main track and climb about ninety-three steps to get to them. Someone will know where I mean. The last of us arrived back at the car park at 2.35 p.m.Then it was off to the The Metz at Canungra where another pleasant sojourn was enjoyed by all who went on the walk.
The journey into the unknown was rewarding but we did not really discover anything about where the track eventually led. No one did not enjoy this walk which took us into rarely visited country except by the keenest. So, thanks to Brian for trying to come up with something to add to our walk programme.
{At the meeting new member, Gary Logan, produced a map published in 1961 showing this track and outlining that it had been closed even then as a result of a landslide and regrowth. Beyond where we had to turn back, the track, according to the map led to somewhere out the back of Illinbah.}
Peregrine Falconer
The Golden Staircase12 April 2014
Regina was here at 6.30 a.m. and we were off to Jubilee Park at Beaudesert to link up with those who had elected to join Brian in a new walk for the Saturday walkers. We were off to climb the Golden Staircase about which you will learn later.
We duly arrived at Jubilee Park before 7.00 a.m. and, after signing the walk register, were off in 4WDs. The sky was not clear so we drove past misty farmlands and then
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through Rathdowney without stopping. Taking the Boonah road, we turned off onto the Mt Barney road, then on towards the start of the Lower Portal walk but turned right into Sidenspinner Road and then turned left before the Barney Creek Winery/B and B and driove through the once cleared paddock now covered with blady grass and mock cotton before parking near Drynan’s hut.
We all parked ensuring our vehicles were not in a position to be flattened by the falling branches of fickle gum trees or engulfed by fires caused by hot exhaust pipes on tinder dry grass. We were all waiting to get through the barbed wire fence at 8.07 a.m. with the sun trying to break through the mist that had enveloped the sky even before we had left Beaudesert. Brian was well-prepared for getting through the fence with his rubber hose- piped barb coverers so no one was impaled. All safely through the fence, we made our way along the lantana-lined track towards a creek with blueness of the sky above trying to dominate the thinning fog cover.
There was a good attendance on this walk with a difference. Brian who had again gone out two days previously with Dave Dickson to suss out this walk was, understandably, the leader, with Ken and Denise, Clive and Xiaoping, Peter and Regina, Bill and Mindy, Bruce Ludlow, Heather and Sue, Kathy and Bruce, occasional walkers Baudy and Shirley Verriest, and Paulette following behind anticipatingly.
We crossed an insignificant, dry, sandy-edged, rock-bottomed creek bed and made our way to a wider, swiftly-flowing water course beside which grew beautiful clumps of Lomandra, a tough native grass. Ordinarily we would have to have taken off our shoes/boots to cross but Brian, on the previous reconnoitre with Dave, had taken the time to position a number of secure stepping stone which, if negotiated with care, would result in a dry crossing.
Thus we were to follow a path taken by us when we did the warm-up appetiser immediately before we sat down to enjoy our gourmet pizzas at Pietro’s in 2013. First we followed the track that paralleled the Barney Creek. A whip bird melodiously warned of our presence. The rocky hillside opposite had obviously suffered the ravages of a recent fire because it was basically devoid of undergrowth with gum trees dwarfing the numerous Xanthorrhoea - grass trees - that were scattered beneath.
On crossing a narrow creek that was but a trickle we all got together again for a wee rest before tackling the steepness of that which lay ahead. Now the sky above had discarded its misty shroud giving us a beautiful blue sky but hot and humid walking conditions. We trudged upwards and then welcomed the change in direction of the track as it sidled across the slope before reaching the top of the first arduous pinch. There again we rested before continuing through the forest once more dominated by grass trees.
We by-passed the waterfall that had been at the terminus of the 2013 Pizza Walk and walked along an obvious 4WD track that would have required considerable care to negotiate before turning right to find ourselves in a large campsite that was below some spreading trees and adjacent to a flowing, granite-based creek that was at the base of that which we were about to ascend.
From here on, we would be walking along a granite-based water course or very close thereto. This was the Golden Staircase. There was never a great deal of flowing
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water but there were many larger rock pools that would have been most inviting to the most enthusiastic of swimmers. In the shallower pools moss had grown on the rocky bottoms and sides and the shining of the sun on this moss caused it to appear golden in colour – thus the name, Golden Staircase. In places we had to leave the granite slope and take to the track that ran along the sides when we were obstructed in our gentle ascent by a fallen tree or tall sides but we were never too far from it. Where the creek had walls at the side, native orchids, Dendrobium kingianums, grew literally in their thousands. These were to be found for as far as we travelled up the creek, especially on the left hand side of our ascent. What a sight they would make if this ascent was made at that right time in or approaching Spring!!!
Finding a shady spot, because now the sky was beautifully clear compared to when we started and it was getting warmer, we stopped for our first extended break, morning tea. Unhurried, we set of again at 10.10 a.m., twenty minutes later. Carefully rock-hopping in places and crossing from one side of the water course to the other, we continued on with the golden reflection off the moss making the name of the area most appropriate. Wattle trees and Leptospermum were now the basis of the mid-height trees among the ever present gums. Looking back down the canyon [?] up which we had walked the view was most extensive but from our position only a little water trickled over the higher falls.
Upwards we continued, keeping to the granite with still more and more orchids lining the way. In places, whorls had been formed on the rocky shelf, round holes in the granite beside the flowing water. These are little round holes in the granite that are made wider and deeper over eons when floodwaters carrying “grit” swirl around in them as they race downstream slowly abrading the sides. [These are most prominent when you visit the area above the Underground River at Girraween. Here they can be a metre wide and several metres deep and those at the Golden Staircase will get there in time.] Fault lines in the granite were also evident. In places immediately adjacent to the running water, small Callistemons - bottle brushes- and Leptospermum had managed to gain a foothold in small fissures in the rock. How these must have struggled to maintain their footings against the onslaught of rushing waters during times of flood!!!
At about 10.55 a.m. we stopped again when a slight breeze sprang up and gave welcome relief from the humid conditions. At 11.10 a.m. we again got up and continued upwards having to deviate from the canyon and negotiate a somewhat slippery track to get above the obstructed course. Getting back onto the slab we passed pools large enough to luxuriate in and stopped again for what was to be our last prolonged stop when lunch would be eaten. It had been hot going and so the shady spot chosen for lunch was most welcome.
Midday came and it was decided that we would go no further so we about-turned and headed down the exposed granite surface up which we had walked and headed down the Golden Staircase. As with Girraween, the granite was slowly but surely being weathered by the heat and the cold, the flowing waters and the expanding roots of trees that had struggled to find a foothold. Even the slightest of flows over time had helped in deepening channels through which the water flowed. In places the solid rock was layered onion style and water was seeping from underneath making its way ever downwards.
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So down the granite slope, across the creek at its base, through the obvious camping area, across the slope, down the steep track with its loose stones and exposed roots, then along the creek and eventually across via Brian’s conveniently placed stepping stones we retraced our steps to our vehicles.
We did, however, have one detour. We left the track and made our way into the waterfall that had been out destination on the Pizza Walk last year. This was because there were walkers who had not done that walk and it was important that they visit these steep, high falls. You couldn’t really see them, only hear them because they were hidden behind another rocky extrusion. You could, however, see the large pool created far below with some out of place palm trees growing nearby.
We reached our untouched vehicles after having walked about eleven kilometres and then found that we had an extremely important decision to make - where to stop for our after-walk session of conviviality. On the way in we noticed that someone was putting up a corrugated iron sign indicating that the Shed was to reopen that day so there we went, up the not so rough road now and through the olive grove.
Yes, it was open but under the management of someone new who hoped to be able to make a go of it. She had her own catering company and hoped to be able to buy the place and attract wider patronage, even putting on special events a la Pietro’s Pizzas. We ordered our fare, were happy with the resultant offerings and considered that here might be a pleasant venue for our Christmas Dinner or, alternatively, have them provide this at Bigriggen which they would only be too pleased to do. Our wonderful secretary will investigate further.
Humphrey Holdsalott
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Upcoming Events Goomeri Pumpkin Festival – Sunday 25th May
