Calendar of walks
JULY 2021 - OCTOBER 2021
In line with current easing of restrictions, all participants need to be fully vaccinated to participate in Bush Lemons activities.
Saturday, 23 October Pierces Pass to Perry's Lookdown, Grose Valley Leader: Jocelyn
H, 16km, 980m descent/1100 ascent. Fantastic challenging walk through the beautiful remote Grose Valley, following the Grose River most of the way. Stairs, overgrown track in parts, gorgeous views up to escarpment.
Sunday, 24 October Macro Lems - Ngula Bulgarabang, Katoomba Leader: Sharron
E. Formerly Radiata Plateau, large wood forest, mountain swamps, a haven for birds. Easy walking, lots to see and photograph!
Saturday, 30 October Mt Solitary Traverse, Jamison Valley Leader: Jocelyn
VH, 20km, approx 10 hours. Walk from the end of Tableland Rd down to valley, up and across Mt Solitary, down Knife Edge to finish at the top of the Golden Stairs Katoomba. Magnificent challenging walk with wonderful scenery, forests, and of course the walk along the top of Mt Solitary! Iconic walk!
Saturday, 6 November Ikara Head, Girraween Cave & Gully, Mt Victoria Leader: Jocelyn M, approx 10km & 5hrs. Walk out on the track leading to Ikara Head with it's spectacular views over the Grose Valley. We then descend a short distance down to see Girraween Cave and then join the track which leads to the beautiful gully area underneath Ikara Head.
Saturday, 13 November Victory Track Faulconbridge - Springwood Leader: Erin
M-H, 11km, approx. 4-5 hrs. This is a moderately challenging track, also known as the Sassafras Gully Loop, starting near Faulconbridge Station. It encompasses varied terrain through the gullies alongside Magdala Creek & Sassafras Creek. It passes through dense bushland which showcases rock formations and several spectacular waterfalls. There are numerous stream crossings, Perch Ponds campsite, Martins Lookout, Glenbrook Creek & Picnic Point. Plenty of beautiful swimming spots & photo opportunities.
Saturday, 20 November Macro Lems - Blast Furnace Park, Lithgow Leader: Sharron
E. Major old industrial site. Lots to explore and photograph - tunnels, rusty steel, old trolley tracks - a photographer’s delight!
Sunday, 21 November Bloody Long Walk (Palm Beach to Manly)
Join the Bush Lemons team in the 35km Bloody Long Walk to raise money for Mitochondrial Disease. If you can't walk with us, you can donate to the Bush Lemons team at https://www.bloodylongwalk.com.au/sydney-north/
Sunday 28 November Katoomba to Wentworth Falls via Jamison Valley Leader: Jocelyn
H, 18km, 800m descents/ascents (our iconic walk this month!). This walk starts at the top of the Giant Stairway where we descend down to Leura Forest before leaving the track and joining the Sublime Point Fire trail which wends its way through the Jamison Valley to exit up Kedumba Pass. This section of valley has sections of rainforest, open forest, magnificent trees, prolific birdlife, pretty creeks and impressive sandstone overhangs.
Saturday, 4 December Furber Stairs, Federal Pass,
Ruined Castle Leader: Jocelyn
Saturday, 11 December Lawsons Long Alley & Lockyers Rd, Mt York (Mt Victoria)
Leader: Jocelyn
M, approx 12km. This historic walk is on nice tracks with lovely views over Hartley, a short road section through Hartley Vale, it has a short descent/ascent. A lovely dog friendly walk.
Sunday, 12 December Nepean River Gorge Kayak (with Nomads to Nowhere Lesbian Kayaking Group) Leaders: Kate & Jocelyn
M, approx. 24km, 6 hours. This kayak starts at Emu Plains and we will paddle 12km up to the running waters of Erskine Creek. The gorge is lovely and peaceful. Bring your own sit-in kayak or hire one from Nomads (bookings from Nomads will not open until such time as we send out details closer to the time).
Saturday, 18 December Wentworth Falls Lake Leader: Jocelyn
E, 3km. End the year wit this easy, dog friendly, walk around this lovely lake.
And then join Lemon Twist: A Mountains Lesbian MeetUp 2-4pm Blackheath for pizza and socialising!
Saturday, 8 January Staples Lookout to Girrakool, Central Coast Leader: Jem
12km, M. This is a beautiful Central Coast hinterland walk, with a bit of everything - cool waterfalls, gullies, gorgeous rock outcrops and high ridges with expansive views, with a swim in the river at the end. Almost all single-track, often rocky with steep sections and quite a few stairs.
Saturday, 15 January Macro Lems - Berghofers Pass, Mt Victoria Leader: Sharron
E. Originally alternative route to Victoria Pass;
fantastic views, convict-built stone walls and trough; aside trip to start of
Cox’s Road, lots to photograph!!!
Sunday, 16 January Bike ride - The Oaks Trail (Woodford to Glenbrook) Leader: Olga
H, 28km, this is one of the most popular mountain bike rides in the mtns, downhill 80% of the way.
Saturday, 22 January Ikara Head down to the Grose River, Mt Victoria Leader: Jocelyn
Exploratory walk . VH, possibly 13km, steep descent/ascent
A new way into the Grose Valley and a descent down to the river. The descent down to the river is off track, steep and eroded in parts. A sense of adventure a pre-requisite!
Saturday, 29 January Macro Lems - Blackheath Weir Leader: Sharron E. Disused old railway weir, creek, hanging swamps. Chance to photograph nature at work taking over old man-made structures.
Sunday, 30 January Snorkelling at Cabbage Tree Bay, Sydney Leader: Rachael
Join us in the early afternoon for some summer snorkelling at Cabbage Tree Bay Aquatic Reserve and Shelley Beach (Manly). You are likely to see blue gropers, giant cuttlefish and wobbygongs, and possibly the resident green turtle.
Friday, 4 - Sunday, 6 February Dunns Swamp/Ganguddy camp, near Rylstone (with Nomads to Nowhere Lesbian Kayaking group) Dunns Swamp is a gorgeous large camping area in the Wollemi National Park, 20km east of Rylstone, 150km northwest of Sydney & about 2 hours from the upper Blue Mountains. It is on the banks of the Cudgegong River & perfect for bushwalking, swimming, kayaking, birdwatching, and there are heaps of flora, fauna (including platypus) and amazing pagoda rock formations.
Saturday, 12 February Erskine Creek to Dadder Cave & Blands Pool, Glenbrook
H, 7km, 375m ascent/descent incl scrambles, full day Leader: Jocelyn
Beautiful area with a walk along creek to visit Dadder Cave and then onto Blands Pool just beyond it for swims before return. Some scrambling on ascent/descent into valley This is a favourite lower mountains area of the Lemons.
Saturday, 19 February Spit to Manly walk, Sydney Leader: Jocelyn
M-H, 10km one way or 20km return. A wonderful walk with lovely harbour views and beach at Manly. Walk one way (and get bus at Manly) or return walk to Spit. Dog friendly walk.
Sunday, 20 February MARDI GRAS FAIR DAY
Fingers crossed its back! Visit our stall or help woman it. Buy our caps, patches or buffs, sign up, get info. This is always a wonderfully social day.
Saturday, 26 February Kiama Coast Walk Leader: Fran
M, 14 kms. This
walk is rescheduled from the last calendar. After catching the train to
Gerringong from Kiama, we will walk the Coast Track back to Kiama along exposed
cliff tops, coastal cow pastures and endless ocean views. Mixture of sealed paths, grass tracks and
beach walking.We’ll finish at the Kiama Lighthouse
and have the opportunity to swim at one of the ocean rock pools.
