Friday 15 October 2o21
Photos courtesy of Karen and Donna
After an extended lock down period due to Covid restrictions, the resumption of the club walks was eagerly anticipated. However, a dismal weather forecast caused the first walk to be delayed until the following day. The forecast was still not ideal but seven bushwalk deprived diehards turned up, just thankful to be out on the trails once again. As luck would have it, the bushwalking gods were smiling down upon us with rain only occurring prior to and after the walk.
Betty’s Mogo Orchid Walk, as the name suggests, is a walk in the Mogo State Forest created by the one any only Betty. The walk is a 10km circuit and has all the hallmarks of a ‘Betty Walk’ with bike tracks, hills and beautiful granite outcrops with some orchids thrown in. Not only rock orchids, but many beautiful leopard orchids were observed. These particular orchids have rarely been seen on our walks prior to the 2019/20 fires.
This area was significantly affected by the fires as evidenced by trees that were either dead or lacking any decent regrowth. This absence of a canopy, coupled with logging operations prior to the fires, has resulted in vigorous growth of the understory. There was a lovely variety of spring wildflowers, ferns, sedges, grevilleas, banksias, wattles and burrawangs, to name just a few. It was also great to hear and see various birds that were noticeably absent following the fires.
We walked past granite outcrops now more visible from the trail due to the reduction in trees and then followed some great bike tracks along the base of a large granite belt. After ascending a short but steep off-track section, we arrived on top of that belt where we had morning tea. Due to the reduced tree line, there were some great views overlooking the township of Moruya to the south and Pigeon House Mountain and The Castle to the north.
We continued along the ridge and then headed down a steep, rocky and slippery track which tested out everyone’s balance after our Covid hiatus. Evidence of just how difficult this section was lay on the side of the track up the next hill, a recently used broken snatch strap. At the top of that hill, we made our way to the main attraction of the walk, granite tors and standing stones set amongst a beautiful burrawang forest, interspersed with lovely wildflowers and interesting fungi. Fortunately, the orchids atop the distinctive granite tor on the southern side of the mountain are completely intact. Even though the orchids are not flowering, it is a relief to know that they were not destroyed by the fires. Unfortunately, many orchids on our other club walks were not so fortunate. Similarly to this tor, the large standing stone on the northern side of the mountain also has surviving orchids on top.
We continued onwards and downwards along the fire trail that would eventually lead back to the cars, enjoying the day for what it was, just a great opportunity to be out in the bush. Everyone agreed that it was enjoyable to be out walking with club members once again. It has been a difficult year, but we all look forward to catching up on one of the many walks still planned prior to the completion of the 2021 club walking season.
Donna G.