We’d sort of decided we had to get started on the track if we were ever going to do it on Friday night – the weather for Sunday was predicted to be sunny but windy and so no good for boating but great for walking. We got away to a bit of a slow start and after dropping my car at the Perth Hills Discovery Centre, and then taking Al’s to Kalamunda, it was 9:30am before we got going.
The track goes through a little bit of bush (for effect I think!) then through suburban Kalamunda and then next to the golf course (which I didn’t realise at the time) before entering the national park and descending into Piesse Brook Valley. It was very up and down for the 5 kms or so – lots of steps and rocks to contend with – and we made very slow progress, although the views from the ridges were great!
We crossed the Piesse Brook after about 4 km and then headed up again, after which the track improved and levelled out. Just after 8km we made it to the Calamunda Camel farm where we stopped for lunch – we arrived just as a group of about 50 walkers were leaving the farm headed back towards Kalamunda!
Even though we’d only walked 8 kms we were feeling very leg-weary, not nearly as fit as we thought we were. However the tracks were good and we got a bit of rhythm going and made good time, first to Hewitt’s Hill hut, and then onto Mundaring Weir and the Mundaring Weir Hotel for a beer each (problem with having to drive – only one beer!) at just over 15km. Again, fabulous views from the ridges and peaks.
The final stretch from the hotel to the discovery centre was just over 2 km and we finished the day on 19.2 km – a bit less than the 21.9 km we were expecting.
All-in-all a beautiful walk and a good start to the track!
steelewalking 