Staples Lookout to Patonga via Rocky Ponds - Overnight Walk - Day 2

After a hard day of walking it was good to finally to get to sleep. But it was not to be. A monster of the night was going to try to keep me awake and eat my food!

So not that long after I dozed off I was woken from a animal not far from my tent. I couldn't see what it was, so made a grrrr noise and it went away. Again it woken me, this time it was closer to the tent. Again, grrrr I yelled, and it went away again. I did this several times. One time grrrring so loudly, half asleep, I scared myself!!
I could then see the shadow of a small animal climbing up the side of my tent. Grrr, it went away. The next time I woke, it was in the inter tent. It looked at me with me looking back at it. It had a marsupial type body, but Mickey Mouse shaped ears. Grrr I went, it went, but it was back within seconds.
It was now 3am. Not wanting stay up the rest of the night, I needed a way to keep it away. So I turned on my headlamp, aimed it towards it, and the monster was gone! And did not return. I left the lamp on until day break.

Just after 6am I was woken by the noise of birds and the sounds of trains off over the hill running along Mullet Creek. I made myself a nice warm breakfast. Then packed up my gear, collected more water and I was off on my way to Patonga.

Back up the hill I lugged a pack, what seem a lot heavy than the day before. But would have been lighter with food eaten. Mostly uphill walking I arrived at a intersection. I took the track that is signposted Patonga. The track crosses a number of rocky ourcrops for the next 2 kilometres. The track is quite well signposted. A lot better than the track I remember as a teenager. There is a good view of Mt Wondabyne, Woy Woy, Dillon's Farm and the Bahai temple at Terrey Hills on the other side of the Hawkesbury river.

Off the track I noticed a strange pile of rocks. So I decided to take a closer look. Someone had made a large snake out of some large rocks. I am sure when Google updates their satellite imagery you will be able to see it on Google Maps. 

I then walked back to the track through thick scrub. On the way down I grabbed a branch of a dead tree, which broke, I cut my leg and got thrown back on the track. It would have been a funny sight if anyone was on the track. 

With the noise of a crow, and a quite awful smell I knew I was near the Woy Woy tip. The track goes down a steep hill besides the tip meeting up with a creek. Here I passed a group of about 20 day walkers. Going back up the hill I rejoined a fire trail for the next 3 Kilometres. Along the track on the right hand side there glimpses of Brooklyn and the F3 freeway. 

I then crossed Patonga Drive and walked along a small track before walking along a dirt vehicular road that goes to Warrah Trig. Here I my legs were starting to get tired, this reminded me of the last time I walk this road when I was sixteen. I was also tired by this point.

I then went off track for a little bit. I came across the wrecks of two stolen cars. There also was a view of Box Head at Bouddi National Park. 

I then went to Warrah Trig Station and down stairs to Warrah Lookout, on the way looking at filtered views of Pearl Beach to my right. I arrived at the lookout, took in the breathtaking views of Palm Beach, Hawkesbury river and the hamlet of Patonga. This has to be one the best lookouts on the Central Coast.

I then joined a fire trail, then a track that goes down a steep track downhill. There were again great views.

The track then comes out on Dark Corner, which is at the eastern end of Patonga Beach. I then walked along the sandy beach. The walk was complete when I reached the wharf. I was happy to complete this walk. I now felt that I was ready for my multi-day walk that was coming up soon and that you will be able to read about.

Walk date 18/6/10