The Grampians allows you to get away
from it all and ensures you can recharge your batteries. The Mt Rosea
walk is a medium/hard walk taking you through forest, now regenerating
quickly after the fires of 2005, and its amazing rock outcrops and
slopes. Mt Rosea is 1009 meters high and gives 360 degree views at its
summit. It can be done as a circuit walk by continuing on towards the
Borough Huts through forest and steep rock gullies. Finally you
branch back towards Delleys Dell via an old fire trail then back to the
car park via the blacktop. Alternatively you can head downhill to Delleys
Dells and take a fern gully walk back up to the car park. The walk is well
signposted and marked so no detailed maps are required (which is lucky as
the parks maps/brochure is wanting).
Joins us on our trip:
Here we are at the car park getting ready to
start our walk. It is about 10:30 a.m. Be careful the road up
from Silverband Falls (C218) is now only one-way - the wrong way to get
here. We had to come in from Halls Gap on the Zumsteins Rd, the
C222.
We camped here a few years ago - before the
fires. Now after the fire of 2005 the camp area is seemingly
permanently closed. The old area was badly burnt and after a fire
trees can and do drop limbs without warning for a number of years.
A few yards down the road is the real start
to today's adventure. Only 4.5km to the top. Last time we came
we did not reach the summit as it rained heavily on us and we weren't
prepared - it was mid Summer on Boxing Day!
Yes be careful - cliffs - rocks- slippery
slopes etc. - but that's the fun.
The start is a pleasant walk along a nice
open track.
A gentle slope up towards the mountain.
A junction concealed - the left I think is
the old way up via the Grand Staircase. Very steep and a little tricky!
The new way skirts around behind the bluff to
get to the top.
Depending when you do the walk there is lots
to see - wildflowers being one of them. This is a Correa flowering nicely.
Mountain views come into the picture behind
some large boulders. Note the fire damage to the trees which are
still slowly recovering.
A midge orchid pops up beside the track too
excite us.
Rocks - we see lots of these on the walk.
Some people build cairns to guide you along,
there are lots along the way.
But the Rangers have marked the way with
their new yellow triangles.
An open area comes along. Shrubs get a chance
to grow in full sun.
With the open area the views also appear.
Interesting and rugged mountains peaks.
We took our backpacks this time for warm
tops, food and water.
Looking back down the hill that we have just
started to climb.
A closer view. The pimple on the left
is "Tower Hill", we think.
The moss is quite green and wet - the result
of recent rains.
Everything looks green and lush.
Looking back
The rugged way forward.
Through some boulders.
Some level ground for a short while.
The first glimpse of the valley we must
cross.
We initially head right to find our way down
to the valley floor then we head up to the left where over the ridge line
awaits the top - our goal.
Down we go to the floor.
A close-up of the funny hill top. This
is called "Tower Hill" according to our maps at home.
Trigger Plants- getting ready for Spring.
Another wonderful view as we look back.
Sundews - wet with the morning dew.
A small but steep decent.
Fungi
An easy path for awhile.
Photostitch (3) What a view!!!
Full Size 2000 * 423 - 405 kb.
More fungi - just up I'd say!
Rock marking - an amazing pattern.
A few years ago this was all green with tall
trees - it will be again I'm sure.
The slope up gets tricky - we are after all
climbing a mountain.
A good place to get out of the rain - we used
it last time.
These yellow markers do come in handy -
always make sure you can see one before you head off into nowhere.
The rock hoping starts
A lush little wedge
There are quite a few natural "caves"
We get to the saddle and get some views
towards Halls Gap.
The old route passed nearby but with the fire
its hard to tell where it meets the new track.
Got to get that great shot.
A long way to the top yet but the views are worth the
effort.
We start to weave our way though the huge boulders along
the ridge line.
Photostitch (2) The vista is
breathtaking!
Full Size 2000 * 618 - 552 kb
Heath - our state flower.
Tower Hill in the distance.
For me a "squeezy" walkway.
Not for others.
Just great views from all angles up here.
A nice steel bridge - should be more fire
resistant than wood. The chasm is called the " Gate of the East
Wind".
A long drop down - thanks for the bridge Mr.
Ranger.
It does afford a good view as well.
The bridge from another angle.
We see another orchid here - a few months off
yet before it flowers.
Tunnels again.
I'm sure Joey and mates are proud of this but
I'm not.
The fire seemed to miss this area and all looked quite
natural.
I thought this must be the top - we are close now.
Looking back the way we came up
Then I see it - the real top - the look-out
comes into view.
Full Zoom - to confirm it.
Still a bit more to go.
The top.
We catch up together again.
Lake Bellfield was full some 10 years ago,
now its almost empty.
Lake Fyans - still some water left in it!
A photostitch of a couple of photos - a wide view from
the top towards Lake Bellfield.
Full size 2000 *707 583KB
Water is still trickling in to the dam.
We decided to do a round trip - this is the other way down.
Strong re-growth in the forest near the top.
Great views and some difficult (for us)
terrain.
A fair amount of rock hopping as we go down.
A last view of the Tower Hill, now with a plume of smoke
behind it.
I look back to the top.
More fungi.
Steep - care needed on these rocks as we go down.
Back to forest, leaving the rocks behind.
Gentle slopes for a while
Fallen tree makes and arch for us.
When our kids were much younger we sat for a
rest here not any more.
2.5 KM to the top.
We take our road to the left (Burma Track).
This section should be much easier - but it's
a bit stony and you need to take care,
Views sneak in between the trees.
The road seems to have been graded, note the
layers of rock in the embankment.
We had expected to see an old hut along this
section, but, alas the fire has taken it away.
Daisy.
We looked up and were amazed that we saw the
top - before the fires there would have been no way to see the top this
easily.
Amazingly there is someone up there - its now
4 pm - a bit late to be there if you want to walk out in the light.
We hoped to see these small orchids and we
did right near the end.
We had to take a photo of this amazing rock -
a really weird pattern.
We took about 5 hours for the 11 to 12 km
round trip for this medium/hard walk - slow, but we did take lots of photo
stops. I made it - there was never a doubt that my other half would
always make it. It was a great day and a great walk.
If you have
the time it's a must do.
A fallen tree. A widow maker.
This can happen so easily after fire.