CLELAND : CHAMBERS GULLY

CHAMBERS GULLY – BARTRIL SPUR TRACK – LONG RIDGE TRACK
  Loop : 2 hours 35 minutes,  9 kms
SUMMIT
 CHAMBERS GULLY    
PIONEERS
   ST MICHAEL SPUR


I'd have to say that this walk is not as scenic as some other Cleland walks, but it is definitely a good work-out!   Besides, there are always points of interest and photo opportunities along the way.   I parked the car at Chambers Gully (Burnside Quarry) entrance (top left below).

The short history of Chambers Gully is outlined on a plaque.   I remember Premier Don Dunstan had ideas of making a quarry garden here, but nothing happened.

Fifteen minutes up past the old quarry we come to the Park Gate.   The Sugarloaf track goes up to the right.

Ten minutes further up the valley we follow the Bartril Spur Track straight ahead.   (Who was Bartril?)   It should really be called the Bartril Valley Track as it follows the creek up the valley.   The valley is full of blackberry bushes - not an asset to the Park, but popular with walkers.   This photo will not be taken again!

There are various wild flowers to be seen, even in February ...

...

... and even some attractive lichen.

The Bartrill Track ascends fairly easily up the valley, with one steep grade where it crosses the creek (bed).   After it loops back, the scenery of the valley below is attractive.   We then come to Long Ridge Track which I followed back to Cleland Wildlife Park.

I must confess that on all my visits to the Wildlife Park I have never noticed these gates!   I was surprised and a little disappointed to find that the Long Ridge track is nearly all a well made metalled road.   This is a bush walk?!   

[2011 Update: some new signposts have been placed along the track, apparently at 0.5 km intervals.]

A welcome turn off on the manna gum loop, where these distinctive gums are specially grown to feed the koalas ...

No koalas is sight, but a kookaburra turned his back:

and a koala sleeps on.

A little further down the ridge there is a mound bearing a pylon, from where we can look down on Sugarloaf Hill and beyond.  

Descending down around Sugarloaf Hill there is this attractive view of Upper Chambers Gully - past the gate.

Returning to the car, I was startled when this young falcon shot out from almost under my feet ...

Back to where we started.  The morning glory won’t make the rangers happy, but it sure is pretty!
SUMMIT
  CHAMBERS GULLY