KNOLL BLUFF WALK – the highest peak in southern WA. 6 kilometres return
The weather is starting to warm up this week and each day will be hotter than the last. We needed to do an early start for Knoll Bluff and it was hard to get out of bed so early after the last three days walks. We were at the car park to start the walk at 6.30am. It was hard to find any energy to do this walk (especially with the hotter days) and we were quite slow on the first stages of the walk as it is very steep. Even though we were tired we pushed through and the energy levels returned – it must be those apricots :). We took a stash with us. After all that walking we don’t have any soreness which is a good sign that our fitness levels have improved. This is a hard walk and you know that when the young ones come back and that is their comment. We were back by 11am which was good as we walked up in the shade and had filtered shade on the way down – the walk is on the western side so path is in shade in the morning. The last two days have been clear skies, with no cloud to keep it cool.
This is where we are going right to the top.
The car park is empty we are first in again. We have been first in and first to the top in our walks, but we will be quite slow, so someone will probably pass us.
Great facilities, check out that deceptive entrance to the track, nice and even and smooth – that does not last long.
Early morning on the other mountains.
The track changes all the time. It is 3 kilometres to the top and it is steep all the way.
Glen called this “my casual” look, basically I need the tree to hold me up :)
A couple of photos showing the profile, the second one joins onto the first and still isn’t at the top.
Still a fair way to go, the knoll is over behind me.
That is a sheer drop off of several hundred metres. Good Advice :)
I think the sheer drop is close enough to 600 metres as I think the car park is 400 metres above sea level. Anyway it’s a very long way down.
Again another little Eden on top of solid rock. Lots of birds and butterflies and lizards. Lots of droppings of mammals.
There are several salt lakes along the eastern side of the range.
We are up on top, but it is still a long way along the escarpment to the top of the knoll, unfortunately it isn’t flat on top, just one long steep slope.
The photo above is of the car park that we have walked from. It’s hard to believe that we have walked so far - The first part of the track is along to the small hill from the car park.
Glen has captured this perfectly, below you can the track and how far the car park is from the top.
Another great photo, Glen captured at the summit.
The cooler temperature and more moisture at the top creates a later flowering season and more lush environment for the plants. The paper daisies were still flowering and very green, where all the paper daisies on the hotter and flat areas finished months ago.
The skink above was getting some warmth on the rocks at the very top.
This small black goanna was on the path on the way down.
Not really frightened but not sure, just curious about us. This one just moved off very slowly and quietly pretending that we were not there. Very pretty with lots of bright yellow markings. I like the dotted mouth.
That’s where we were – right on the top :)
This is the most popular walk in the park and everyday someone gets to the top and yells whoo hoo - “I made it” The reward is knowing that you did it and didn’t give up and of course the great view.
Today, we were first to the top, it is special being the only ones on the summit. It is so quiet and peaceful, you can enjoy it leaving the world behind.
We had lunch at the picnic area. It was lovely under a large shade canopy. We caught up on some quick emails and headed back to camp. The day was heating up and yes people were arriving at lunch time to start the walk – obviously haven’t heard of heat exhaustion causes death.
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