Middle Harbour Trail and Cascades

Today’s hike was from Davidson to the Pipeline trail, down to the Middle Harbour trail, then up and out at Cascades, in the Garrigal National Park.

We met at 830am at Stone Pde, where we left our cars and headed over a hill to the Pipeline that runs through Allambie and Frenchs Forest before descending into Garrigal National Park. It was a super steep descent, littered with huge piles of leaves and run off from the recent rains. We made it in one piece then headed east on the Middle Harbour trail, which follows a river.

We only got lost once, when the run-off disguised the trail, and we found ourselves climbing a waterfall. We met back up with it, thanks largely to Kass and Patsy’s bushbashing efforts, scratching our heads about how we managed to miss it! There were several near misses with leeches, and many of us found the rocks were easier to descend on our asses.

We saw an Aboriginal handprint, but I am sceptical about it’s authenticity! We also had a very welcome new participant in our team, Tanya, who is donating $20 to Seven Women for every hike she joins us on! Dave has also decided to join the girls and come to Nepal, so our team is 11 for Nepal, and 14 for hiking, woho!

It was nice to make it to the Cascades trail, where the path opened up a bit!

Only a short 3km uphill hike after that, and we were at the top. It took us 3hrs to do 8km but it was picturesque, in good company, and a nice day too boot!

I made a short video with a few special moments:

Next week we will hike at least 4hrs, along the bush trails from Frenchs Forest to the Roseville Bridge. For more details contact you@into-you.com.au

The pipeline track

What looks like the doorway to a hobbit’s house!

The steep descent into Garrigal National Park

Trail conditions were not always ideal.

Looking and feeling remarkably like a mountain goat!

Such a beautiful trail!

Dave, our newest participant!

A beautiful section of trail under a rocky overhang, covered with moss

Moss!!

A particularly squeezy section, where we had to take off our backpack and contort our bodies to fit through the gap

Hanging in there towards the end

Opps, another hill that requires arms and legs!

The whole crew in a selfie (no stick!)