Day 12 - Kingsborough towards Mutchilba

 Wednesday 28th April, 2021 27.5km

326 / 4772.9km

Bright and early start. I had charged up the Inreach and the phone so the battery pack was down to about 25%

I set up the solar panel down the back of the backpack. Since I am mainly heading soth most of the day the sun is behind me so the panel should work most of the day.

Today was basically walking through Pinnacle Station. Nobody actually lives here, the owners are in Winton, but there were a few cattle about.

It was a warm day and again creeks were a little sluggish until I left the station roads and hit the main bitumen road. Where as I crossed a bridge over Leadingham Creek there was the sound of water bubbling along merrily.

I dropped the pack, got out my water filter kit and jumped down into the creek bed which saw my phone fly out of my pocket into the water. A quick recovery but I didn't touch the phone for the rest of the day. So not many pictures. Although after that point it was mainly roads around to Walsh river where a little walk down a trck saw me camped for the night on a sandy bank.

It was a long day and I would have pulled up earlier if I had seen a suitable spot but there were a lot of "Do not Enters" and "Private Property" signs to ward of a stealth camp desire.

The river camp was ok just sandy and I could hear the traffic on the highway. I could also hear someone having a party so I wasn't far from civilisation. Was able to wash down and check on the solar panel and it had charged the battery pack fully. I couldn't tell how long into the afternoon it took but I know it works ok.

Early to bed.

I'm Buggered.

Day 11 Mt Molly / Kingsborough

Tuesday 27th April, 2021   

282.3 / 4816.6km

Spoke a little with Peter Brown a local from Mount Molloy and Lister Perkins the Manager for Font Hill Station who both agreed that after the amount of rain Mount Molloy had had over the last 2 days and the expected showers to come the area around Mount Round on Font Hill would be a swamp and there was no alternative route till after the rain had stopped to get to Dora Creek.

This meant I could have continued into the high ground of the Hahn Tableland.

So Peter offered to drive me round to Kingsborough where the trail comes down from the tableland. Suitable remuneration was offered and off we went. This will still put me 2 days above Mutchilba but I can follow Maps 13 and 14 of the route instead of the highway.

The drive round was interesting in that after we passed through Mutchilba we had to keep going to Dimbulah but the clouds broke up and there were blue skies.

As we headed through Mulligan Station I noticed the creeks were on the dry out stage. There had been no flow for a while and they were getting down to the muddy puddles. Still each creek had some water but it was still and muddy and of course the cows would have stood in all the puddles I could see from the road.

Mulligan Station is a high end expensive station stay with guests flying in by helicopter. I don't see the attraction in the country and think I would spend my dollars elsewhere. The drive out is rough and we go past a failed venture in Tyrconnel Mine, a place you could have stayed in some done up accomodation. They have restored a few buildings but it obviously didn't catch on.

Then we get to Kingsborough these were all places that when the mines were running the township grew and Kingsborough is the freehold township area left in amongst Mulligan Station.

There is only one resident here Ike Sjofors who handmixed all the bricks to make his house. He grows exotic fruit here and when we drove across the causeway of the dam Peter tells me Ike poured all the concrete for the dam and causeway using a hand turned cement mixer. A big effort. I didn't get to meet Ike. Apparently he is 80 now and has closed his area to only campers he knows.

Just up around the corner is where the trail comes through from the Hahn Table land and where Peter Dropped me off.

I got a little excited when I saw National Trail signs on trees that showed the way. These are the second ones I have seen in my walk. The first one down the bottom of the bump track.

So I pulled on the pack heavy with 7 days supply and only 2 days required and set off south again. The trail goes through cattle country and as expected the creeks were barely running.

But I had sunshine and was finaly able to drag the Solar panel out and check if it actually did me any good. Since I charged everything up last night it was just a test to see it was still working.

One water stop was barely a dribble with a lot of green moss getting hauled up in the dirty water bag but as I was sitting there I was positive I saw a crab in the puddle.

I ended up stopping for the night close to a dam where I could go down and get water but far enough away I didn't spook the cattle that came to drink.

It was later that night in the cool of the evening I woke up and thought it was dawn. But with clear skies it was just a full moon. Haven't had a clear night sky for over 9 days so that a novelty.

Day 10 - Bump Track

Day 10 Monday 26th April, 2021

The weather today was supposed to be showers for Mossman but lighter rain over the hill at Mount Molloy.

I arranged a lift with Trevor out to Mowbray River Road to the Bump Track.

This was the old route into Mossman way back and was also the supposed escape route if the war ever paid a visit.

As I started up the track there were light showers which is ok as it keeps you cool. The climb seems never ending and it looks like it is a popular walkin track for those fit people. I had two of them breeze past me on the way up.

There are signs to stop and read which is good as it a reason to stop.

There is also a chair where you can admire the view.

My first real obstacle for the day, apart from the actual hill is a creek crossing that looks deep, I went up stream a little to where it was cascading over rocks but the rocks were too slippery to climb across .

So it was back down to the track and remove the boots and socks and tie them to the pack and wade in. I used the walking poles to prod the bottom ahead of me and feel if its sand or rock then take a step and repeat. In the end it turned ot to be about waist deep at it maximum and I got through ok. Then dry off everything as well as I could, put the boots on and climb again.

Finally reached the top and the rain was getting heavier but as still in a rainforrest area that breaks it up a bit, but when I reached the road up the top the area moved into a more open forrest which meant I copped it more.

The next creek I came across was running swiftly over a causeway and whilst it was about 300mm deep and fast the causeway had a concrete edge about 200 mm high so I balanced my way across them and only got a part of my boots wet.

I was climbing a range when the rain came down in buckets. So much for lighter showers over this side. I had to stop and cover the pack with garbage bags and sit under an umbrella for about a half hour of heavy rain.

After the range I started walking down to a swampy area that my maps mention is a great camp as the lagoon attracts a lot of birds. I was just finding it difficult to walk down the road as water was covering more and more of it and the grass to the side was just a saturated mess.

I eventually splashed my way to a point called Mick Macks Crossing only to see a raging torrent rushing across the track. I had a quick check but the depth was up to the top of my poles on just the road approach.

With the rain continuing I sat down on the highest bit of ground and messaged Belinda and we attempted to see if there was some easy way round it. With the rain I don't think I could have gone back across the creek behind me.

The maps showed a road about 1.8 kilometres across country from me. I moved back down the road and the fenceline I needed to follow started on high ground so I decided to give that a go. It meant going through private property but I was going to ask forgiveness at the other side.

Belinda had found a trail angel in Mount Molloy who was willing to come and pick me up if I could get back to a manageable road. In the end I got to the road and was nearly back out on the main road when the property owner pulled up. By his questions and demeanor I don't think he was happy, but then what cane farmer is ever happy.

Peter Brown and his wife picked me up and took me back to their place and gave me dinner, shower and a bed. Now when Belinda wrote that Peter Brown was coming I was confused. I have a Facebook friend, ex army mate, Peter Brown and I was wondering why he was up here and when the car turned up I thought geeze your shorter and rounder from what I remember!

I rang the property manager for the next property I would be going through after Mount Molloy and it turns out the last 2 days rain has put a lot of water across the track. It would mean walking a fair few kilometres in water and mud. More rain due tonight would just make it worse. So Maps 10, 11, and 12 which were temporarily closed anyway are now out of my reach for at least a week of no rain.

I need another plan other than walking the highway from Mount Molloy to Mutchilba.

Day 9 - Anzac Day - Newell

 Day 9 - Sunday 25th April, 2021

Lest we Forget.

I was never the best soldier in my time but still respect the decision to sign up.

I managed to wake up in time for the Melbourne Dawn Service. Do the Officers still wake up the diggers with a coffee and rum on ANZAC Day?

Then I listened to the rain. Whilst it was good to be able to spread out and wash and dry everything the budget doesn't cover a motel room every night. I looked at the weather which showed showers all day and the walk was a highway walk out of Mossman down past Port Douglas turn off and up Mowbray River Road.

I decided to see if I could hitch a lift out there. It was soon decided that I would stay at Newell Beach with Trevor and Debbie who had fed me last night and had planned a roast for tonight.

We talked crap, slept, watched football and drank beers. What a better way to spend ANZAC Day.

I went to sleep in their annexe listening to more rain and glad I wasn't in it.

Day 8 - to Newell Beach

 Day 8 - Saturday 24th April, 2021

Actually got a little cool last night. Normally I am closed up from the rain lying on my mattress sweating away.

However last night I had to reach for the sleeping bag which was still in its sack.

Today was a continued walk along the power line track onto Whynabeel. Another morning of spectacular views when you can see through the foliage. Got to see the other valley and then its a slow but steep descent down from the ridges. The rain last night didn't help.

I finally hit the road and then it was a walk through farmlands. A lot of exotic fruits mentioned on signs but I didn't actually see any.

As the day wore on I walked out onto the sugar cane farms and then becme a trudge along the bitumen.

I was close to the Miallo school when a Toyota Ute pulls up and the bloke leans out and says "Hello I'm Bud Quaid".

We had a bit of a chat and it was good to put a face to a voice. I thanked him for permission to cross his property and the dozer track he had only pushed down the side of the hill about 4-5 months ago.

Whilst I don't think the route down Stewarts Creek Road is for everyone, I enjoyed the diversion if not the effort required.

The road eventually joins the main highway and it looked like rush hour. I actually had to wait 5 minutes to cross the road. I ended up walking the Cane train rail line as it was the driest and flatest bit.

I was going to Newell Beach which is north of Mossman to visit Trevor and Debbie knowing there is always a good feed on. Its been good to have their support up here.

Now if they could just shift there camp to Mutchilba over the next couple of weeks then that would be good.

A night in a bed tonight.

Day 7 - Daintree

Day 7 - Friday 23rd April, 2021

Belinda sent the property owner a text message last night and as I was packing the pack he rang with the directions I needed.

So with those in mind I wandered out of Daintree Village just as the were opening up. Whilst it rained last night it was now dry but overcast.

I have wanted to go this way as there are only a few spots in the first couple of hundred kilometres that are more interesting than a plod down a highway. The trip over the CREB track was one that I had already missed and i will come back and do it as a stand alone walk.

Stewart creek road wanders through some rain forest and open cattle farms. There was plenty of water after the rains and my first path of rainforest saw me pick up a cloud of mosquitos.

I came across a herd of cows on the road after Harlows Bridge. Lovely cows....piss smell now. But it looked like I was going to chase them over the range as they all just kept moving in front of me along the road. That was until a car came through so they had to chose a big open paddock to the side instead of the little red suzuki and the scary man. The sun also came out at this time and I was just dribbling sweat out of every pore.

There was a little paddock of goats and one looked at me and let out a little bleat and I noticed his head was stuck in the fence. I jumped over and manouvered his head and horns back through. Forgot to take a photo for Frances.

Finally came to the concrete causeway. Hmmm, water was flowing a little fast but the depth was only about 150mm. This is where that "conditioning" I was carrying and the two walking poles helped. Each foot placement was made slowly as when I put the foot into the water the current pushed it back. But one foot and two poles would always be grounded when taking a step and I got across ok.

Then it was a march acoss the grassy paddock to the little grassy rise I could see in the distance. Sun and humidity was taking its toll and my first scramble up the slope took a lot out of me. I dropped the pack as I could hear a creek and I had to scramble down to load up with water as I didn't know what was up top.

Here I picked up some leaches that I had to pick off over the next couple of hours. So I added 3 kilograms to the pack and headed up this track. I was glad it was clear but boy it was steep. I asked the property owner if he minded me passing on the information to walkers following, although they are towing monowalkers. His response was OK "But I hope thay are built like draughthorses if they want to tow anything up that slope"

One spot had gravity winning the fight on the slippery clay. I was sliding down hill trying to stab my poles in an effort to stop. In the end it was only 2 metres but I was thinking if I keep going its about a 30 metre section and it was steep and I really didn't want to do it twice.

With my head down I failed to notice the Wait-a-While vines hanging down and next thing I'm caught up with 2 or 3 vines wrapped over the backpack and my arms. Lost a little blood but the 3 litre bladder of water now had a small hole in it.

I eventually made the top but I was buggered! The path now follows the ERGON maintenance track and its about 9 kilometres through to the other side of the range. This track also goes up and down but whilst steep in parts is not as hard to handle. I did about 7 kilometres of it and decided to camp in a clear area beside a pole. The mentioned camp is down by the road at the end of the track but I like the solitude up here. Little bit of sun meant I lay everything out for some drying and air.

As I'm writing this the sun is going down and the rain has started. So the tent goes in wet again tomorrow.

The misty mountain look

The pole route to the top of the hill

The grassy paddock to cross

The trail up

The pole track up top

Elevation