Section AA Photoguide  Click on thumbnail to see larger Back

The upper section profile was taken from a GPS, while the lower was scaled from a good contour map, with readings at 100 m intervals. The true distance is probably about 4 km, as the lower one does not pick up the zig-zag nature of the horsetrack down Bullpoint Spur, but also does not include a bit of to-and-froing taking photos, etc.

This route follows that taken by Max Brennan when he ran his horsetreks up till about 2007. Apparently he used to take the bridle off those horses carrying inexperienced riders, as he reckoned it was better to trust the experienced mountain horse to do the route-finding. The zigzagging track makes it an easy walk, even though the spur is quite steep.

This ancient outdoor pit toilet was the only type of lavatory you would see in the bush up to the 1960s. The pit was dug 3 m or more deep, sited always downslope from the house. Most were made of corrugated iron. Few would have had as good a view as this one shown in the next photo. (Photo Kathy King)

Tabletop Mountain about 13 km away across Blue Mountain and Hole Creek, taken from Ben Nevis sheepyards (near the photo above). Tabletop Trail 4WD runs along this side and to the left of the mountain.  (Photo Kathy King)

Looking NW with Bullpoint Creek in the background, crossing open grazing land about 300 m from Bullpoint Spur Dingo Fence gate.

It is always good to find a gate in the dingo fence. Climbing an old one is quite difficult!

Gates are placed at strategic intervals along the dingo fence to allow access for firefighting and, in this case, for Max Brennan to take his horsetreks down into the gorges.

Small- Leaved Everlasting Daisy (Ozothamnus adnatus) is commonly found on the steep ridges of Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.

Silvertop Stringybark ( Eucalyptus laevopinea) is one of the common stringybarks on the ridges. Note the broad ‘disc’ on the top of the fruit, and the fairly long stalk holding the fruit cluster. Not shown is the smooth bark of the 5 cm or less branchlets, giving the name ‘Silver Top’

Looking SE from aboutAG66 871.939, about halfway down the ridge, towards Deep Creek, and a small patch of open country on Cheyenne above it. Keep an eye out for a sharp turn to the left (E) off the ridge at about Ag66 871.936. the horsetrack takes an easier path across the face of the mountain.

The Scrambling Lily (Geitonoplesium cymosum) is a climbing vine with thin stems to 8 m long, variable leaves usually 2-10 cm long and 3-25 mm wide with a rounded base twisted into the leaf stalk. Flowers are mauve to white, followed by a 10-20 mm black berry.

Good map-reading skills are not only essential in the wilder country, but when they are acquired, are a source of great pleasure…..(Photo Kathy King)

… and sometimes a good deal of argument! We know we are on Blue Mountain Creek.(Photo Kathy King)