MT GEORGE : SUMMIT

Return trip : 2 hours 10 minutes, 8 km
SUMMIT

A (mostly) fine and cool spring morning, so I decide to tackle the Mount George Track.  It starts by crossing the Piccadilly Golf Course from Carey Gully Road, near the Woodhouse Scout Camp.

• 1  We cross the golf course, keeping a wary eye for golfers.  What are the chances of being hit?


• 2  The trail soon enters a pleasant grove of gums, lined with lovely golden broom – in spite of being a weed.

• 3  The Mt George Conservation Park begins just beyond the golf course.

• 4  This is probably an import, but very pretty.

• 5  This wild flower is common in the hills, but its name escapes me.

• 6  We cross the Davenport Bridge and this gurgling creek.

• 7  I knew this was the Heyesn Trail, but was interested to find that the Pioneer Women came this way in the olden days.  The Timbercutters Trail turns off about here, but we continue straight ahead.


• 8  Mossy rocks are not common in the Adelaide Hills, but I see a number on this walk.

• 9  There are many fallen trees along the way – a result of the winter rains.  We turn left here instead of following the Cascade Trail.

• 10  After a couple of kilometres from the start we cross Cox's Creek.

• 11  This brings us to the public area of the Park, but I think it is not very well known.

• 12  The Heysen Trail follows along to the end of this lake.  Proceeding straight ahead would take us under the nearby Freeway and to Bridgewater, but we turn right around the end of the lake to find Gate 6 and the start of the Lewis Fire Trail.

• 13  The Hills are lovely in Spring: these flowers are called 'milk maids' ...

• 14  ... and these are 'creamy candles'.

• 15  And a yellow billy button!  I think I last saw one of these 50 years ago up Mt Kosciusko!

• 16  The Lewis Fire Trail seems to morph into the Ridge Trail for walkers only. The stringy bark gums seem to enjoy this higher altitude.

• 17  This bush pea is another common Hills flower.

• 18  Just before the Ridge Trail starts to descend, there is a turnoff to the right which leads to the Mt George Summit.  We step across a couple of low fence wires, and a short walk brings us to the summit.  No good reason for coming up here, except that it is there, and there is a sign which confirms it!

• 19 Returning to the Ridge Trail, the track gets a little more interesting, traversing rocky outcrops.

• 20  From here there are also views across the valley.

21  More spring flowers: wahlenbergia.

• 22  The Ridge Trail is a bit frustrating in the way it winds back and forth and up and down.  These steps are a rarity.

• 23 Colour is sometimes in short supply on these Hills walks, but texture is a good substitute.

• 24  The Ridge Trail finally descends by a large dam.

• 25  And finally exits in a mud puddle!  I find the main gates locked, but the smaller gates open alright.

• 26  We can now walk across the picnic area to pick up the Heysen Trail where we came in.

• 27  We retrace our steps back to the Piccadilly Golf Course.  Buttercups always add cheer.

Altogether a very interesting walk.
SUMMIT