Bibbulmun Track Day 7 - Nerang Campsite to Gringer Creek Campsite

 Monday 31 August – Bibbulmun Track Day 7

https://www.bibbulmuntrack.org.au/

Darling Range Section of Bibbulmun Track

We were up at 5:15am and away by 6:40am. Today was walking across undulating plains of open woodland of various densities, and amount of time since their last fire. We crossed the Serpentine River, currently dry, but it would be very pretty when flowing.

This is a section of the track surface - hazardous!

We saw lots of small singular wildflowers. We could hear constant bird noise, and the highway.

We arrived at Gringer Creek Campsite just before 11:30am. I have vasculitus from yesterday’s long hike in the heat, so we decided to do only a single hut today. We had a wash and did our clothes, then hung the line to air them all.

There were four End to Enders in the shelter, one north bound who we had seen and spoken to when we saw her hiking when we did our food drop offs. We were also caught up by someone who started after us, a 74yo lady.

View from Gringer Creek Shelter

Statistics (Nerang to Gringer Creek)

Distance                      16.64km

Time                            4h 1m

Ascent                         196m

Descent                       185m

Bibbulmun Track Day 6 - Monadnocks Campsite to Mt Cooke and Nerang Campsites

 Sunday 30 August

https://www.bibbulmuntrack.org.au/

Darling Range Section of Bibbulmun Track

We were up at 5:15am and there was very thick fog in the campsite. The fog lifted from the campsite just before sunrise. We had a lovely walk through the forest before climbing to the top of Mt Cuthbert. The view was limited as the mountain top was shrouded in fog. It was beautiful with moss and small patches of water in the rock amid the fog. The descent southbound was steeper than the ascent had been.

The climb to Mt Vincent was steeper. It was very humid this morning, but the fog had largely cleared by the time we reached the summit and we had great views. It was a nice walk through the forest again today. We saw several trail runners who stopped to chat. We also saw lots of day-walkers many of whom completely ignored us - no hello or head nod, most unusual. Throughout the forested areas we could hear a lot of bird noise. 

We arrived at Mt Cooke shelter around 11am. There were two teens sleeping in the shelter when we arrived and a pile of packed up gear. Near the Mt Cooke campsite was a burnt water tank as the only remnant of the previous campsite which had been totally destroyed by fire.

Mt Cooke Trail

Mt Cooke Summit Cairn

We departed Mt Cooke campsite about 11:30am. It was a solid climb up to the northern summit of Mt Cooke. We then continued along the ridge line to the southern summit. I really loved the top of this mountain- dappled shade from trees, granite boulders and domes, and wildflowers. Being a Sunday and a beautiful sunny day there were lots of day-walkers. It was very hot today when in direct sun. We stopped for lunch near the eastern cave - views, shade and breeze, the trifecta. The descent from Mt Cooke was steep and went across the granite domes - I was glad it was a dry day as this could be very hazardous in wet, windy conditions. Some of the forest after Mt Cooke had a very barren feeling, probably from the severe fires that burnt the campsites either side (Mt Cooke and Nerang). Closer to Nerang campsite the fire damage was less. We arrived at Nerang Campsite at 4pm. There was one other End to Ender in the shelter tonight. As it was a very sunny warm day I put the solar cells out to charge. We did not see any kangaroos today. There were a few mosquitoes in camp, so we put aerogard on.

Statistics (Monadnocks to Mt Cooke)

Distance                      13.18km

Time                            4h 2m

Ascent                         368m

Descent                       454m

Statistics (Mt Cooke to Nerang)

Distance                      13.57km

Time                            3h 55m

Ascent                         302m

Descent                       320m