Trip report - Cowan to Brooklyn Walk April 15.
Walkers: Linda, Robert P, Martin D, Alex Wise, Grace,Melissa, Bruce (leader).
After arrival at Cowan Station, with numbers lesser than expected, we all set out along the section of the Great North Walk between Cowan
and Brooklyn.
The walk crosses over the F3 Freeway and then a sheltered valley to
Jerusalem Bay. It is evident that "improvements" in the form of extra
cut steps and hand rails are intruding on what has always been a basic
but attractive bush track.
Anyway, after an uneventful start, we arrived at Jerusalem Bay at a
low tide, and were treated to the spectacle of battalions of Soldier
Crabs marching along the sand flats.
After observing the crabs, we the progressed through a small gully, then started the unrelenting climb up to the top of the next ridge.
It's one of those climbs which never seem to end, but fortunately
there is a rest space halfway up with a seat, which we took advantage
of for a water stop.
Then it was forward on on a slightly lesser grade to the top, where we
found that there has been some overkill in the placing of direction
signs, the most glaring is an arrow carved into a rock (see photo). An
SUBW repair job is in order I think!
On we went down the ridge and across a small stream, then along a
track that goes up another ridge until it reaches a fire trail/railway
access road. This continued on the level for quite a while, and we
found a side track which led to a ledge with fine views over the Park
with Lion Island in the distance.
Then it was on to a lunch spot which also had great views over the
Hawkesbury River.
After lunch we proceeded along the trail whicj wound downhill to the
old railway dam. Along the way I took a side road which I hoped would
lead to the old Boronia No. 5 tunnel which is interesting (but no
glowworms!). After about 10 minutes it appeared that the road was
going nowhere exciting so we retraced our steps.
We crossed the front of the railway dam and noted it's expanse of
water which would be quite tempting on a hot day for a swim, then
continued along the track until reaching a sign saying "Brooklyn
1.7km". At this point the old track diverges (unmarked) down to
Brooklyn Road and the pub and the railway, but for some reason NPWS
doesn't want walkers going this way. Instead the "preferred" route is
down a steep concrete road made by RailCorp - when I say steep I
reckon the grade is close to 1 in 3.
I gave people the choice of going the "old" way and getting to the
station in time for the 2.30pm train, or the new way down the RailCorp
road and walk around the headland to a coffee shop for a post-walk
rest and get the 3.50pm train. The latter option was taken and we went
down the concrete road on which needs one to be sure-footed.
We walked around the headland, and on to the coffee shop opposite the
Marina, and settled down for some refreshments, before going to the
Railway to catch our trains home.
Looking over the bay from the overhead bridge at the station we
watched as several fish leapt out of the water - possibly escaping an
unseen predator.
This was a pleasant walk and enjoyed by all.
Bruce Stafford
I later discovered that one prospective walker had got on the right train, but had got on the cars that don't open doors at Cowan, and got
carried on to Hawkesbury River! He ended up doing the walk in reverse.
