Date: 15/4/2012
Walkers: Linda, Robert P, Martin D, Alex Wise, Grace,Melissa, Bruce (leader).

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After arrival at Cowan Station, with numbers lesser than expected, we all set out along the section of the Great North Walk between Cowan

and Brooklyn.

The walk crosses over the F3 Freeway and then a sheltered valley to

Jerusalem Bay. It is evident that “improvements” in the form of extra

cut steps and hand rails are intruding on what has always been a basic

but attractive bush track.

Anyway, after an uneventful start, we arrived at Jerusalem Bay at a

low tide, and were treated to the spectacle of battalions of Soldier

Crabs marching along the sand flats.

After observing the crabs, we the progressed through a small gully, then started the unrelenting climb up to the top of the next ridge.

It’s one of those climbs which never seem to end, but fortunately

there is a rest space halfway up with a seat, which we took advantage

of for a water stop.

Then it was forward on on a slightly lesser grade to the top, where we

found that there has been some overkill in the placing of direction

signs, the most glaring is an arrow carved into a rock (see photo). An

SUBW repair job is in order I think!

On we went down the ridge and across a small stream, then along a

track that goes up another ridge until it reaches a fire trail/railway

access road. This continued on the level for quite a while, and we

found a side track which led to a ledge with fine views over the Park

with Lion Island in the distance.

Then it was on to a lunch spot which also had great views over the

Hawkesbury River.

After lunch we proceeded along the trail whicj wound downhill to the

old railway dam. Along the way I took a side road which I hoped would

lead to the old Boronia No. 5 tunnel which is interesting (but no

glowworms!). After about 10 minutes it appeared that the road was

going nowhere exciting so we retraced our steps.

We crossed the front of the railway dam and noted it’s expanse of

water which would be quite tempting on a hot day for a swim, then

continued along the track until reaching a sign saying “Brooklyn

1.7km”. At this point the old track diverges (unmarked) down to

Brooklyn Road and the pub and the railway, but for some reason NPWS

doesn’t want walkers going this way. Instead the “preferred” route is

down a steep concrete road made by RailCorp – when I say steep I

reckon the grade is close to 1 in 3.

I gave people the choice of going the “old” way and getting to the

station in time for the 2.30pm train, or the new way down the RailCorp

road and walk around the headland to a coffee shop for a post-walk

rest and get the 3.50pm train. The latter option was taken and we went

down the concrete road on which needs one to be sure-footed.

We walked around the headland, and on to the coffee shop opposite the

Marina, and settled down for some refreshments, before going to the

Railway to catch our trains home.

Looking over the bay from the overhead bridge at the station we

watched as several fish leapt out of the water – possibly escaping an

unseen predator.

This was a pleasant walk and enjoyed by all.

Bruce Stafford

I later discovered that one prospective walker had got on the right train, but had got on the cars that don’t open doors at Cowan, and got

carried on to Hawkesbury River! He ended up doing the walk in reverse.

Photos: https://picasaweb.google.com/118404097080236061977/CowanToBrooklynWalkApril152012?authkey=Gv1sRgCL_Lje6Cy572rwE#