A great day out with establishing the lower blue mountains border patrol 50-mile loop.
Rob and I had been planning this for some time, with multiple iterations proposed and refined all in the effort of getting our loop distance as close to 50 miles as possible. Whilst being mindful that the primary objective was to showcase the very best our lower blue mountains has to offer. By the end of the day, both Rob and agreed that this loop has certainly done that.
Our day began from Blue Mts Running Co with a 5.00 am kick-off to avoid the crowds and onlookers. We were blessed with idyllic running conditions, which stayed with us throughout the day.
Early going was very well-paced thanks to Rob's constant guidance and we hit Euphoric Coffee shop right on our estimated time for the day. A planned pit stop, for the anticipated early morning visit to a small room, a slight element of panic was induced when the realisation hit that we were 45 minutes ahead of the coffee shops opening times. Thankfully Scott and the boys of East Blaxland East Butchery were obliging with a key and business progressed as planned.
The journey through Cripple Creek fire trails and out to Cripple Creek lookout bought with it the rising of the sun and illuminated the spectacular valley floors we would be passing through all day for the first time. Rob felt a twinge in behind his knee somewhere through this section, however, determined it was nothing significant and he was fine so long as he could run on his toes :)
We had bee due to meet Tim Berriman, up from Canberra for the weekend, through Long Angle Gully. Somehow we had fallen well behind our predicted times and when we crossed the creek to agreed meeting place all that we found was his message of good luck scratched into the dirt. As we discussed how long he must have been waiting and continued on our journey out of Long Angle we were surprised to find Tim coming back down the trail after hearing our voices echoing behind him. It was great to be able to grab a few hundred meters with him before our paths had to split at Singles Ridge.
Midway through the next valley floor (heading to Tall Timbers) we were joined by James Matthews who would spend the middle third of our day with us. A quick refuel of bottles courtesy of Brendan Cusacks tap and we were back on our way for the Winmalee loop.
Through the back of St Columbas, past the Grotto, up to Whitecross and around the Shaws Swamp walking track we progressed without any significant pros or cons. Surprisingly James had never been around the Shaws Swamp extension and his wonder of the valley reinforced that adding this little traveled loop in was well worth the kilometers it added.
Continuing along Swhaws Ridge, down the short cut track, through Blue Gum Swamp, and up Bees Nest hill we were moving at a perfect tempo and the kilometers just kept ticking over. As is essentially a law of lower mountains running the mandatory out n back to Grose Head South lookout provided the perfect celebration of the Bees Nest climb. With the lower Grose Valley putting on its usual display of grandeur.
The three of us pushed through Springwood Ridge back to St Columbas without any mishaps and we soon found ourselves at James's car. Which we had organised to contain our drop bags for the day and the opportunity refuel and restock supplies. James left us here with 30 kilometers in his legs for the day and strict instructions to have the coffees ready for when we passed through Springwood in about 45 minutes.
For Rob and I, it would now be the two of us for the remainder of the loop. Catching up with a few individuals here and there along the way.
The stretch from St Columbas to Springwood hits some of the least known and least used single tracks around the lower mountains. It is unexplainable as our day demonstrated again that these tracks pick up some of the most spectacular places to be moving through country. The southern grotto was on full display with its turquoise waters glistening in the midday sun. The single tracks were soft underfoot and were a welcome relief after a morning on lots of hard-packed fire trails. The gums stand tall and thick green ferns cover the floor.
Before we knew it we had moved into the popular Birdwood Gully, full of small groups on their short excursions, and exited at Boland Ave for the crossing of the highway and an opportunity to grab a bite to eat from Bakers Wife in Springwood. James was waiting, not with the coffees yet mind you, and lunch was quickly had. To the noticeable stares a couple of runners, all sweaty and covered in the kind of grime 60 km of running provide, will produce.
We were a good 50 minutes behind our schedule, however, with the stated intention of just absorbing our day, there was no concern about this from anyone.
A gently sloping downhill stretch from Fairy Dell to Perch Ponds. Past Martin and Madala Falls was a slight test for tired quads, however, we were still moving at a very similar pace to the start of the day and both happy to be feeling this good. The climb up to Martins Lookout, one of the tougher climbs in the lower mountains, was surprisingly comfortable. With the view at the top across to Lost World, once again, providing more than the required reward for our efforts to get here.
It was, I must admit, a little tempting to consider the significant short cut heading up the Kings Link Track would provide to Lost World.
Our only significant road stretch, all be it a few kilometers, of the afternoon, gave a chance to fall into some smooth rhythm running. Picking up freshwater along the way from Batman Park before finding the powerline track that drops steeply onto the Valley Heights fire trail. Rob was clearly moving faster than I through here and I have no doubts he could have dropped me in an instant if this had been a race. A sight have become way too familiar with over the past 10 to 15 years, late in ultra races.
Our short rocky climb up to Green Road was enhanced in knowing Anne Bennett had reached out and indicated she would meet us with a ginger beer and the kind of pep talk the finisher of 500km racing will bring. Tim had also made it back across to see how we were traveling and bought my niece along to say hello as well. I think this was more to remind me that I had rung her on her birthday (2 days prior) and failed to acknowledge it was her birthday #badunclepointsrackingupquicklyhere .
The light was hinting at leaving us as we descended off Greens Rd fire trail onto Florabella pass. It was determined that it would be ideal if we could be off bullant track before our lights were needed again. Unfortunately, our only point of indecision for the day occurred at the crossing of Glenbrook Creek as we searched for the previously obvious track. Now somewhat disguised after the flood water of February had reshaped the look of the creek bed. After finding our crossing point and picking up Tony's magical mystery hat track up onto the ridgeline above us, it was obvious that the light would be gone well before we had made it to Lost World lookout. Halfway along bullant track we were back to night running under the illumination of head torches.
As we approached Lost World lookout, unexpectedly disturbing the isolated peace of the campers enjoying their evening reading books by the fire, it was with renewed gratitude that we found ourselves here after dark. Being introduced to the stunning sight o the lowlands lights from this vantage point for the first time. It was only right that 5 to 10 minutes be provided to sit and take it all in. I will certainly be back, most likely with tent and food, to get the lengthened time here the location deserves.
We knew we were on the home stretch now and moved and a constant pace up to St Helenas fire trail and then down to the Duckhole. The conversation was a little less than through earlier parts of the day. Probably not surprising after the best part of 14 hours in each other's company already. Without a doubt though, we were both in good spirits still and enjoying the final kilometers as much as the start.
The climb out of the Duckhole always presents a short challenge and the added pushing of pace, bought on from concerns initiated by the intermittent flashing of both our headlights probably had both of us extended a little more than expected. As we popped out onto the road for the final kilometer across the train bridge and up to the doorstep of the Blue Mts Running Co, a small high five was exchanged. Symbolising mutual recognition on the achievement of; establishing the lower mountains border patrol loop, recognition of how spectacular this loop is with all the significant tracks of the lower mountains linked together without any feeling of stretches there just to transition onto the next track, the joy of two (now) longtime running friends grabbing a new running experience together, and joy in a time that will surely fall soon as an FKT but that represents a great day out for each of us.
It will bring us great joy to see the time stripped away on this FKT and I know there is already significant interest from parties local and further afield to see what Rob and I are making such a fuss about.
Enjoy
BB & RP