Page 85 - 80 Walks by 80 Leaders 2

Date: 2nd March 2019
Par�cipants: Nick Rutledge, Yumi Takahashi, Neville Ellis, Ruth Barra�, Jason McCall-Power

launched directly into the climb that follows, and in a fine Taffy’s Plaque in the one photograph. Nonetheless, with
display of stamina and determina�on reached the rock Neville in charge, a strategy was devised and implemented:
outcrop at the top, dripping and pan�ng, in a further twenty the results can be judged from the accompanying picture.
minutes.

A�er a well-deserved rest, we threw ourselves into the
undergrowth tunnel that is Taffy’s Track. As we pushed our
way through the shrubs and saplings, Nick’s face was soon
wrapped in a spider-web veil that rivalled Yumi’s in coverage,
though not comfort.

With the many li�le cairns that have recently been set up (as
well as the quick eyes of Ruth, honed to an impressive
sharpness in the NZ mountains), the track was followed
unerringly: trig point 1 ... interes�ng tessellated dome (of
course we climb to the top - yes, it’s ge�ng hot, but just
Walk descrip�on:
because it’s there) ... trolls’ stone campsite ... trig point 2 ...; Then it was back onto the track for the return leg, and a couple
The walk to Taffy’s Rock will begin at Cowan Sta�on and
soon Taffy’s Rock emerged through the scrub. of uneven�ul hours later the walk was completed - but for a
ini�ally follow the Great North Walk down the gently sloping,
visit to the cafe near Cowan Sta�on. We had
forested gully to Jerusalem Bay, a lovely spot for a short rest. The enervating heat of sun contemplated consuming 80 ice creams,
A sharp climb takes us to the point we leave the GNW and on bare rock, the several coffees and/orbo�les ofGatorade inkeeping
head east along an overgrown track that follows Gove� Ridge short sec�ons requiring with this year’s celebratory theme, but with
for around4km. The trackbecomes quiterough alongthe later energetic rock scrambling, trains to catch, time was insufficient for this
part un�l we swing north to Taffy’s Rock. Some excellent the many dog-legs in the tribute to be accomplished.
views, an interes�ng tessellated dome and a rest on the large track and the effort of
sandstone outcrop that is Taffy’s Rock will be our reward. We pushing through
return the way we came to Cowan Sta�on. Map: Cowan uncoopera�ve
undergrowth can all be
Report:
draining, and we were not
It was a bright Saturday morning and donning sun hats, sun
sorry to arrive at Taffy’s Rock and rest and refresh in a shady
caps - and in Yumi’s case a very sensible sun veil - we set off.
spot. Views across the Hawkesbury River to West Head and
The descent from Cowan Station to Jerusalem Bay is li�le more
Lion Islandcalled out tobe photographedand weduly obliged,
than a hop, skip and a slip, and with a fit and fast group, and
then followed that by a�emp�ng to solve the problem of how
Jason’s cheerful banter in our ears, this sec�on was completed
to capture images of ourselves and the awkwardly placed
in short �me. Taking advantage of our momentum, we
Report by: Nick Rutledge 75 Photos: Nick Rutledge, Neville Ellis