Yirra Kartta hut to Walpole
So in planning wise it was either today or tomorrow that I needed to do some distance and today was the day, by missing Kwokralup Beela Hut and going through to Walpole.
Leaving the hut it was by following the dirt road instead of the track just to see it then along some single trail with some overgrown bushes on the side. Crossing the South Western Highway there were some cars then back onto single trail in the forest again.
Today there was an optional trail and as it was summer ish I went for the summer trail crossing the Deep River and along Easter Road.
Well the Road was not a road but an overgrown 4wd track that hadnt had any cars for awhile as it was completely overgrown with bushes on both sides and in the middle so it was a case of getting thrashed by bushes. Once on Dawsons Road it was fine but it had some steep sections, which turned into MTB trail as you got higher, nice trees and views but a dirt road would be fine as I have to hiker bike up them. there was a Mount Frankland redirection that didnt make any sense from the north as you could have gone down Mount Franklin Road instead of turning at Copeland Road. However towards the hut knowing I had enough water and didnt need to see or go to the hut I took Copeland Road without turning uphill to Ford Road. Then it was on bituman road (North Road) to do a big hill hike before turning off at Swarbrick Rec researve where some art trail was. i was onto my 3rd water bottle by then.Down hill then along farmland on the left and forest on right through more sandy trail it felt a very long time and way to get into Walpole. As it was getting hot, a long day and the roads were getting sandy it was slow going, plus checking where I was on the map every kilometre or so it was not until I got onto the telegraph track that I stopped looking. A little on the main road hike uphill then off to the right along a bike path into town. You sort of loose the trail in town but as I was headed to the shop it didnt matter.
Around 2.30pm arrive. A big shop at the Variety Shop/not IGA where a lady comes up and says she saw me walking up the bituman hill and was glad I made it in. big packet of chips, bake beans, Hydralite tablets, Hart and Soul soup, mango in juice, 2 boxes of Carman bars, gatorade, tea bags, twin crunchie, can of coke. An afternoon lunch $7 bucks a bowl of hot chips at the Phillipine Restuarant it was off to the Coalmine caravan park as it was on the trail and less Ill have to do tomorrow. Off 3km on the South Coast Highway to the turn off right next to the backpackers.
$40 bucks for a site, the most expensive and it does have a small shop and discount for riders and hikers so $35 instead. Unpowered. Hot shower, no soap.
A little walk around to the kitchen to charge up and see whats there, kettle for hot tea and a fridge to freeze my drink bottle and a little walk along the foreshore walking path to check out the water, that I hadnt seen for awhile. Not a great swimming beach but neverless the sea. But the walk up the stairs is exhausting on the legs, ok going down but sore going up.
I thought it might be a good kaying place for next time. I could also hear the sound of the Southern Ocean waves slamming against the beach in the distance over the Walpole spit I guess, as the Walpole inlet was relatively calm.