Adrian Blake
Anne Williamson
Mr G
Summary: Lots of jaffles, lots of Hammer 'n Tongs, lots of damn fine Budawangs scenery, lots of leeches...
Photos: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5773&l=0aef3&id=511134958
I'd always wanted to have a look around Hidden Valley and on this trip we did just that. The drive from Sydney was via Goulburn and Nerriga, to the park entrance at Sassafras. Only the last 3.5km along the private road slowed us down, with a rather stony 4WD track forcing us to concentrate. Anne and I drove down on the Friday evening, had some jaffles and some Hammer 'n Tongs, before being joined by Adrian on the Saturday morning. We had some more jaffles for breakfast then got going.
From the locked gate at the Sassafras entrance it was a 6km road bash to Newhaven Gap then a further 3km road bash past Camp Rock and Red Johnny's Cave to The Vines. From here we took the track south past Quiltys Mountain. By now it was time for more jaffles and rehydration in the form of Hammer 'n Tongs, though Huey was not pleased with us and sent driving rain to extinguish our small fire. So we packed up and continued south, finding the turn off to Hidden Valley and pressing on.
Upon entering the valley we headed south and found Dark Brothers Cave, where it was then time for another jaffle and some more Hammer n' Tongs. After this refreshment, we found the pass up onto Sturgiss Mountain, and after some strightforward scrambling, were at the top, admiring the surrounding views. The wind was ferocious, with Huey threatening another storm which never came. Anyway, from the top of Sturgiss we enjoyed uninterrupted views towards Quiltys, Hoddles Castle Hill, Hoddles, Haughton, Tarn and Pigeon House (aka the Big Nipple). We collected water from pools on top of Sturgiss before scrambling back down into Hidden Valley. Exploration along the cliff line of the valley revealed two interesting features, The Office and The Tunnel of Love...
So it was now time for dinner and the jaffles and Hammer n' Tongs were back...
Next morning we woke up, had some jaffles, then headed out of the valley and north along the track. We dropped our packs along the way and climbed up onto Quiltys Mountains to observe the ancient and impressive Bora Ground. We then scrub bashed to a southern point for expansive views of the Budawangs. From Quitlys we could now see Sturgiss Mountain in all its glory...
Anyway, it was time to keep moving, and move we did, until we reached camp rock and decided that it was time for more jaffles. Unfortunately we had run out of Hammer 'n Tongs so it was onto the Tang instead...
The afternoon road bash was fairly standard as far as road bashes go, with the one interesting highlight being the small Jacky Lizard which we found near Bhundoo Hill.
Well, it was quite a nice trip, and we now have great plans for more visits to the Budawangs next year! Thanks to Adrian and Anne for the good company.
Go here for the photos:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=5773&l=0aef3&id=511134958
Mr G.