Sunday 21 August 2022
Photos courtesy of Amanda and Rod
The Bimberamala River lies in a deep valley between the Western Distributor and the Clyde Ridge Roads in the Currowan Forest area. It is difficult to access and, for bushwalkers, any walk in ends with a long climb out.
Four intrepid walkers set out from below Mogood Trig on a cheerful sunny Sunday enhanced by excellent walking temperatures.
After a long gradual descent the River proved to be a watery paradise with green rushes stretched out just below the surface in the current. With clear water it was easy to pick a route across the channel through knee to thigh deep water. Although chilly the river was refreshing as the day slowly heated up.
The looping walk took the group through areas in the centre of the 2019 bushfires. While a lot of regrowth had taken place the effects of the fire were still visible if patchy. Down by the river the impact was minimal, indeed more obvious was the vegetation and trees flattened by recent floods. On the ridges some areas appeared badly burned on one side of the road while on the northern and eastern sides burning was much less obvious.
Down by the river again, where the group stopped for lunch, it was obvious that the leech population remained healthy. However, overall there was little wildlife to be seen or heard, apart from a group of five trail bikers. Recent vegetation regrowth was dramatic, clearly enhanced by two years heavy rain and a few spring wildflowers were popping out in the wetter areas.
After a long and taxing climb the group reached the top of Mogood Trig where 4×4 drivers were celebrating a sunny afternoon. The views from the summit in all directions were magnificent!
Rod