Day 45: Cudlee Creek North to Woodhouse Activity Centre 42km

I had set the alarm for 4am intending to get away early. I had an idea of where I wanted to be but no idea whether I could do the 42 kilometres required. So the alarm didn't go off as I have also a do not disturb set up that come on. But I woke up at 4.15 and had everything packed up and ready to go by about 10 to 5.

The first thing that happened was I took my second tumble on this trip about 10 metres down the hill from where I had camped. No damage done but I had to watch the hard clay patches that were slimy with dew until the sun came up. These patches are like glass to step on. So it was a quick walk through the forrestry in the dark before I stopped for my first snack of a couple of muesli bars at sun-up.

I had been following some boot prints that I was sure were being made the same day as me. A signature in the logbooks was for a Joel but his dates were one day out. At Grandpas camp he had signed for the 3rd but I was there on the 2nd. Anyway the walk comes out of the forrestry onto local roads and on this road I missed a turn off up Sixth Creek. Not a day I wanted to do extra miles. I had only gone about 800 metres when I pulled out the map and went back. I did check up and down the road and there was no Heysen Signs so its not as if I missed them.

I went up the Sixth Creek track and finally met Joel who had camped at the base of the first real steep climb of the day. He wasn't looking forward to the climb and still had his tent up. It was now about 8am. Had a quick chat and I decided to climb the hill and then have breakfast and what a bloody hill it was. It's a fire trail but I wouldn't drive my car up it and walking up it was tough. Got to the top and had breakfast still didn't see Joel by the time I moved off.

It was a pleasant walk through the forests then back out onto roads through the hills. A lot more traffic and I was moving along at a fair clip through here thinking about a meal at Norton Summit. This was not to be as when I got there the only place to eat is licensed and during the week they don't open till 11am. As it was about 10.20am I decided it was too long to wait so went up the road and had another couple of Muesli Bars. From there its a walk down through Horsnell Gully.

If you want to see Koalas then this is the spot to walk. I spied about 10 in the trees just hanging over the track. Having a look at the sparse tree canopy then maybe there's too many but I have never seen so many Koala's as I have in SA.

The climb out of the gully was tough it was getting on and I was running out of energy. When you climb out of the conservation area you get a glimpse of the Mt Lofty Summit. There was a white obelisk that was glowing in the sunlight tried to get a shot of the glow as I ate the last of my Muesli bars. A quick walk through some roads past a couple of houses I stopped and talked to a local who was clearing a fallen tree off his fence. He mentioned Mt Lofty Summit was only 4 kilometres from his house and I thought to myself it was closer than I thought. Then the Heysen kicks in. I went past a sign pointing up the road saying the summit was 3 kilometres.

Another 500 metres up the road the Heysen sign then heads bush again. I must admit I stood there and looked up the bitumen road and watched a pushbike rider come down and I thought surely I could just walk up there. But I followed the sign. I should have looked at the map. The 2.5 kilometres of bitumen is 5 or 6km via the Heysen.

After climbing all those hills then to go down and lose elevation seems counter intuitive. I nearly turned around and went back to the main road. The walk is pleasant and quiet but after over an hour your elevation is less than when you left the main road and then you climb the last steep hill to the Mt Lofty Summit. On reaching the summit I went straight to the cafe only to find out the kitchen closes at 2.30pm it was now 3pm. If I had walked the bitumen I would have been up here just after 2. I was not going to get a feed today. I did end up having a carrot cake and tiramisu cake. Not exactly nutrition but at least they were willing to serve me cake.

From there I had to walk down to a scout camp called Woodhouse Activity Centre where for $25 you can camp and have a shower, which was good after a long day.

I had the whole camping area to myself but still found it hard to find a decent, close to level spot to pitch a tent. The rain came in and I settled for a noisy nights sleep. You can here the traffic on the freeway and the area is only about 50 metres off another road. But after today I was ready for a sleep.

Day 44: Scotts Shelter to Cudlee Creek North 21.78km

Woke up early enough went up to the toilet and watched the sunrise as I did my business. We should all have a toilet with a view.

Today was a walk across the country side skirting through farmlands and forestry areas always within the southern Mt Lofty Ranges. As I skirted the ridge lines I could see towns. Across one ridge line you look down onto Gumeracha. I tried to see if I could spot the Rocking Horse. I think I could see the top of its head but not good enough to recognise.

I was looking forward to stopping off at the Cudlee Creek Cafe for a spot to eat only to get there and find they do not open on Mondays. A quick look on the map showed that a 2 kilometre detour would take me to the Cudlee Creek Hotel. Considering the detours I have taken for dropping stuff it seemed a good idea at the time. They serve food all day and I had a bacon and egg sandwich with a coffee and Pepsi Max. Fuel for the afternoon walk.

A quick walk down the road and I was admiring some of the properties when I had to walk back about 300 metres to pick up the trail. Inattention seems to be my undoing. I walked up to the camping spot called Grandpas camp. I didn't stay as the tent spots were under some trees.


Also the next day was going to be a long day and as it was still early I decided to climb the hill and find a better spot to camp.

As night fell there was a lot of grunting from Koalas so I went for a bit of a spotlight. The trees up where I was were not the right ones for Koalas but I did spot a couple of possums. A lot more civilisation noises with a constant noise of planes and I could hear a lot of cars. Set the alarm for 4am as it was a long day to come with a lot of elevation climb.

Day 43: Centennial Drive to Scotts Shelter 20.27km

Woke up to a wet tent. The way out was confusing as I had left the track to follow and alternate route to get to the campground. It was a nervous climb over the fallen tree across the creek to get back onto the alternate route. Then when I followed the arrows they followed the creek to a road bridge where the gate to the campground is. I was a little pissed off with the two climbs across the tree.

I then continued to follow the arrows but they seemed to be going the wrong direction. I thought at the next road off to the left the trail may do a loop but it didn't . It seemed what I was following was the alternate route you take north when the creek is up and you cant cross it where I did last night and it brings you down to the bridge. So a quick about turn and a look at the map to find my own route back to where I could pick up the trail again. I just didn't want to follow the creek again.

About 800 metres up the road my right hand was cold and I found I had dropped my glove way back where I pulled the map out. Bugger.. I dropped my pack and walked back to pick it up. I have managed so far not to lose anything and I didn't want to. The path I took takes me down to the forestry headquarters. Then it would be a quick walk through some campsites to pick up the trail.

It was at the front entrance a sign showed that the area I wanted to walk through was closed due to forestry works. Bugger.. It meant I would need to walk a diversion of about 4 kilometres. As it was a Sunday I thought blow it and jumped over the fence, went up the road the one kilometre to pick up the track. Then it was a walk up the hill to the fire tower. I was told that if there are some rangers they may invite you up. But being a Sunday no one was there.

The path then follows another walk trail that take you through Warren Conservation Zone and a walk trail called Watts Gully trail. This trail was one of the best walk I have had for a few days. Looked like natural bush with plenty of bird life. A little gem. The rocks had what looked like glitter on them and the path glittered as you walked.

At the road entrance to the Warren Gully walk there was an old car and it looked like they were visiting a property that seemed to have a lot of old cars hidden under some sheets and rusting away under trees. Maybe looking for some parts. Then it was a walk around some roads to Mt Crawford Forest. Which is a long way from Mt Crawford but who I am to question.

Scotts Shelter is a small hut with sliding doors to a couple of benches. I preferred the tent and I also needed to bring it out to dry out anyway.