Mt. Yengo National Park
Saturday, 24th Feburary 2018
This one day trip was actually a substitute trip for the Olinda trip which had to be postponed because of Bush Fire problems and the (quite justified) fears of the local property owners. The trip took us from near Laguna (near Wollombi) through to the Putty Rd. at Howes Valley, and then around to a linking road (which sadly) the NPWS has closed which runs between the old Settlers Rd (often mistakenly called ‘The old Convict Road’ – which it never was), and back to the Howes Trail. We then returned to the ‘Putty Road before going back home via Windsor. A ‘Recce’ trip was done by 3 members on Friday 9th Feb. to test the ‘suitability’ of the track. (Some people will do anything to get away from the city for a few hours! – Ed.)
Dianne Liney, Linda & Phillip Favaloro take up the commentary…
“We met at the old Berowra Toll Gates. Ten vehicles all told but there should have been 12 vehicles altogether but 2 groups were not able to make it at the last minute.. We left at 8.15am and headed back onto M1 Freeway going north.
Took the Peats Ridge turnoff onto Peats Ridge Road then veered left onto George Downs Drive and then passed Wisemens Ferry Road where they checked our speed.
At Bucketty, George Downs Road turns into Great North Road which was a leisurely scenic drive. Some of us cannot recall any part of this journey. We passed 2 old convict culverts and an old bridge before turning left onto Yengo Creek Road.
After turning left onto Yengo Creek Road we re-grouped at the letter boxes which Tate, Neil’s grandson, told us that there are 25 letter boxes.
Turned left on Boree Trail which was a steep dusty climb onto Boree Valley Road where we veered right onto Yengo Track. We proceeded on this track until we reached Finchley Camping area where we stopped for morning tea. Some of us took the short Finchley cultural walk about 200m to explore aboriginal carvings on rock formations. (See photos)
We proceeded in our vehicles to the Finchley Trig Lookout which had spectacular views of the area. At this time the sun was shining and it was warming up. We set off onto Finchley Track then onto Yango Track then onto Howes Trail.
As a point of interest Neil pointed out that we were 470 metres above sea level and outside temperature was somewhere between 34 -38 degrees outside. There was a big discussion on the actual temperature. At this time which was 12.45pm everybody was getting hungry and some of us wanted to know where the pool under the shade of the tree was!
We enjoyed lunch at the junction of the South Link Road in pleasant heated conditions with no pool and underneath a tarp enjoying the scenery in peace and quiet.
Just as we were leaving a couple of vehicles passed us. One vehicle was a Hyundai Santa Fe and a Landcruiser asking us for directions and how long it would take.
After lunch we continued along a bumpety rickety rackety dusty trail passing through the red gate onto Putty Road.
Turned right onto Old Settlers Road and travelled through to the other end of the South Link Road where we stopped for afternoon tea. As it was getting late we proceeded back along Old Settlers Road and then turned left onto Putty Road which took us back to Windsor. There we said our ‘Goodbyes’ over the CB radios and wished everyone a safe trip home.
– Dianne, Linda and Phillip