Sugarloaf Rd, Panorama Point, Megalong Valley Road, May 2018

This run I started with a little trepidation, the climb from the ute to Panorama Point was a straight through the bush without any form of track, also I was aware Panorama Point is surrounded cliffs. After much web surfing I found that at least one other group had climbed the route I was attempting,  they didn't elaborate on the route they took. So I knew it was doable and I hoped I could find a way through the cliffs. I didn't need to worry, an opening was fairly obvious, so after a little scrambling I was on Panorama Point, from there the remainder of the run was on roads and four wheel drive tracks.

Taken from Panorama Point to the SSW into the Megalong Valley, on the left horizon is the Narrow Neck Plateau, in the centre horizon is the distant Kanagra Walls, the Coxes River Gorge can be seen in the middle ground to right.

As mentioned above this trip was mostly running on roads and four wheel drive tracks, so I haven't much to report. Some Glossy Black and Gang Gang  Cockatoos flying and the usual Kangaroos and Wallabies were the only native wild life I saw.

Panorama Point is on the right end of the ridge. The ute is directly below that point, I scrambled up the side facing us. After the point I continued left along the ridge to the next bump, that is Hargreaves Lookout. This picture was taken from the second camera marker on the map below.

Stats,
distance: 23.4Km
moving time: 3 hrs 6 mins
Elevation: 801 metres
Calories: 2125          

Kanimbla Drive to Sugarloaf Peak & Return 7th May 2018

The weather today was absolutely stunning.My run this time was on dirt tracks apart from the half a kilometer climb to the summit of Sugarloaf Peak. Just after I had turned around to return I spied two Parragliders in the sky, way over near where I parked the ute. Nearly back to were I parked I came across one of the pilots, on the ground, in a paddock. I offered him a ride out, he was content to wait for his pick up.

 Sugarloaf Peak is the forested hill in the center

This crude rock cairn marks the summit of Sugarloaf Peak

Blackheath is above this cliff top

Stats for the day:   distance 18.4 Km

                             moving time 171 minutes

                             total climbing 668 metres

                             estimated calories 1773

Dumphies to Coxes River Via Carlon & Breakfast Creeks, Return via Ironmonger Track 24th April 2018

I arrived at Dumphies to find the car park almost full, other times I have been here I have had the car park all to myself. Then the penny dropped, today was the day before ANZAC day.This is the closest car access to Splendor Rock. Many bush walkers camp overnight at Splendor Rock or nearby Mobb's Soak, so they can be at the rock at sunrise to remember fallen ANZAC bush walkers. I was thinking, this means the track would be inundated with tourist. Surprisingly after leaving the parking area I was completely on my own until I returned. 

Nearly all the first section down Carlon Creek had lots of stinging nettles, I did cop a few stings, I didn't notice them while running and walking, rather on the trip home my lower legs were rather itchy, gators or long leggings next time.

A couple of these Red Bellied reptiles raised my pulse somewhat. They both seemed quite sluggish, maybe due to it being quite late in the season. 

Aboriginal grinding grooves on Iron Mountain.

More Aboriginal masonry work, holes ground into the rock for unknown reasons, about 100mm diameter.  

The Coxes River is in that gorge, taken from Iron Mountain

A large recent (within the last 2 years) rock fall taken from the Megalong road on my way home. The Hydro Magestic is the white building on the top of the cliff just to right of the rockfall.

Stats for the day: distance 16.5 Km

                             moving time 190 minutes

                             total climbing 863 metres

                             estimated calories 1732

Pierces Pass to Victoria Falls Lookout & return

4th April 2018

Today was a 22 km out and back run/walk from Pierces car park through the Grose Valley and up the Western side of the Valley to Victoria Lookout. A little jogging mostly walking. Within a kilometre of starting down Pierces I almost stood on a Euastacus Sustralasiensis (Sydney Smooth Crayfish), by the time I had the camera out and ready to shoot, it had disappeared down it's burrow below one of the split logs that made the steps of the path.

The only human contact for this run was a couple of day tourists near the turn around point and a over night camper near the start when I was almost back to the ute.

My GPS recorded over 2 km of vertical ascent, I do think this figure is way to high. IE GPS error.

The weather was ideal mostly sunny.

The lowest point of the run, the Grose river crossing

My second sighting of a Euastacus Sustralasiensis in a tributary of the Grose

Victoria Falls