Mt Hay Pt 2

Pleasant views.

In a previous post I mentioned the ride to Mt Hay. Once you get to the Mt Hay car park, bikes are not permitted beyond that point and there is a walking track to the top, so last Sunday I decided to return and walk to the top. Mt Hay, like Mt Banks and Mt Tomah etc is a volcanic plug and is therefore very typical in shape to the other mountains created this way.

Distant land slides

The walk is pleasant, with spectacular views, leading along the escarpments and cliff edges before heading down a saddle and then making its ascent to the top. The vegetation varies a great deal in a short distance. With exposed heath, stunted banksia trees, then larger trees growing in the more sheltered areas. The track is a mixture of grasses and loose rock and rock ledges.
Views into the Grose Valley
We observed Welcome Swallow, Yellow Tailed Cockatoos, Magpie Lark and Currawong. In a more sheltered area there was Basian Thrush and a new sighting a Tawny Crowned Honey Eater. Quite a distinctive bird and its always nice to see something new.

The walking track

Whilst hot, it was not too long before we were pushing onto the top of the mountain. Thick cut grass (and yes, it will cut you like a razor) and a fire weed infestation made the walking a little more difficult, whilst on the look out for the broad headed snake which is particular to the area.
Tawny  Crowned Honeyeater (not my  photo)
At the top is a large rock cairn. The view at the top is filtered but there are glimpses of the Sydney basin. After a drink and some sultanas it was time to return to the troopie. Again, it was nice to observe Mt Banks for the opposite side of the Grose Valley, to observe Blue Gum forest and look towards Mt Victoria from a different perspective.

The top!
This area for me ranks as one of the most beautiful in the world. The day coincided with the first visit by Charles Darwin to Australia. His comments were similar as he observed Wentworth falls and the Jamison Valley at Katoomba. A pleasant day was had by all.