Tootie Creek

After camping the night at Burralow and walking out to views of the Grose River I drove out to Mountain Lagoon and the start of the T3 Track. The last time I had been here the fire trail had been closed 5klm from the track head which put my plans awry. Today I could drive out and park at the trackhead which was nice.  

I started walking just after 3pm and it was hot and humid. Sweat was pouring out of me like a tap and although I drank 2 litres of water I was dehydrated by the time I hit the river.

Views into the Colo Wilderness just minutes into the walk. 

The lookout point over the Colo. Tootie Creek and my campsite for the night are at the sandbank just visible at the bottom of the photo. The mountain on the far side of the river is Mt Townsend. 

Looking south from the lookout point down the Colo.

Home sweet home for the night. By the time I got here I was so tired and fatigued. I had a wash in the river and tried to rehydrate. All I wanted to do was lie down and sleep. It was very humid and an effort to organise dinner and eat. I was in bed by 7.30pm.

Still great views of the river from the campsite and I did enjoy the solitude. 

The next morning I was up and away early to try and walk out before it warmed up.I still didn't feel great and just had  a couple cups of coffee and lots of water for breakie.

 I walked up the river for a short way and crossed Tootie Creek before starting the climb out. 

Tootie Creek 

It was still hot and humid in the valley and it wasn't till I got to the tops that it cooled down and a cool breeze made itself welcome. It was only 20*C back at the car but strangely seemed much warmer in the valley. 

I think my tiredness/fatigue is partly due to driving up the mountains after work at 11pm and having a late night and an early morning with a midday walk thrown in before I started on the T3 Track. 

 I'd still do this walk again, as it is great country, but maybe not in the heat and humidity.

Colo Meroo

A short walk (7.5klm return) with my son  into Colo Meroo from the Upper Colo Road. A very hot day with temps in the high 30's. A nice peaceful bend on the Colo River.

Zig but no Zag

 I had walked most of this walk before but turned back at the first lookout due to time constraints. Today I had the whole day. I had driven up after work and camped at Burralow, sleeping till 0800hrs and with a leisurely start should have been at the start of the walk by 1000hrs. However the road to the walk had been locked 5klm before the start. My 6klm walk had just turned to 16klm. No information that this was so could be found on the net. The 5klm along the fire trail to the start was easy so I wasn't worried. I did not,however,rethink my water requirements and carry extra. 

When I got to the lookout I followed the track as it contoured across the hill until it just ended . Rather than back track, I decided to just drop down to Tootie Creek and follow it to the Colo River and pick up the track there for my return. Needless to say this didn't happen . It was hard work to get to the creek and once there I could not follow it down to the Colo without some climbing or swimming. I then returned up a steep ridge, bypassing the lookout until I hit the track again. Again hard work. I was completely knackered, a little dehydrated ( I had refilled my water bottles at Tootie Creek) and last weeks cold left me wheezing and struggling for breath while climbing back on the ridge. 

Once on the track the going was easier and the fire trail a breeze and I was back at the car on dusk at 1730hrs. Rather than drive to the Newnes Plateau and camp again as I had planned I wimped out and went home to recover in comfort. I now realise that the track must turn downhill very soon after the lookout and come back underneath same and continue down the ridge along the Colo to the junction with Tootie Creek. I just love hindsight. 

The start of the track, a 5klm walk from the locked gate at Mountain Lagoon.

Views over the Colo Wilderness as you descend. 

Follow the little man.(If you can) 

The route down the ridge.

The first lookout of the Colo River. 

Tootie Creek 

Looking back at Tootie Creek. An indication f how steep my climb out was. 

More Colo country from the ridge out.

On the firetrail. 

16klm all up for the day including some hard off track and I still have to go back to finish.