Monash Valley Scoparia

[PeterJ]

Originally planned for mid December, but conditions on the day meant that the walk waited until more favourable weather. Even so at the time of arrival for the start at Wombat Moor it was quite cool and the peaks were all under cloud. We turned off the track before reaching the Woodland Mosaic and gently ascended over the wet moor, avoiding where pineapple grass wherever possible as it makes for uncomfortable walking. A wooded ridge edge was reached after 20 minutes and this was skirted until an easier descent point could be found and then it was through the woodland, over a small creek and finally into the narrow northern end of Monash Valley (an unofficial name, but seems appropriate as it sits at the foot of the summit plateau of Mount Monash).

It was soon after this that the scoparia started to become noticeable with many waist high bushes in a very healthy state flowing in many colours. There were bushes of a variety of shades of pink, various reds from dark through to rusty, then there were the whites and creams. Quite some time was spent just wondering through this area, but it was not just the Richea as so many other plants were in flower as well; such as Orites, Boronia, Waratah and Epacris.

Lunch was at the southern end of the valley before turning west and finally north over the Boronia strewn upper plateau on the way back to the car.

A photo album is on the web.

And a map also

Three samples below

Attachments

Richea scoparia at Mt Field

White form

Mixed colours

[stepbystep]

Nice album Peter, will be in the Sthn Ranges tomorrow, I'm sure we will find plenty of Scoparia there.

[flyfisher]

Peter, thanks a lot for those pics,they are just fabulous.

John

[GerryDuke]

Thanks Peter. Fantastic. How long did the walk take?

I hope to go photographing some this week. Hope it is still there. Has anyone been to Dixon's Kingdom this week?

Gerry

[PeterJ]

Thanks Peter. Fantastic. How long did the walk take?

I hope to go photographing some this week. Hope it is still there. Has anyone been to Dixon's Kingdom this week?

Gerry

Only about 4 hours but can be done in 3 without rushing

[Nuts]

Nice, I like Looking at Scoparia...Pelion Pass is impossibly colourful this year. Havent had a chance to pull out a camera but its still prime....

[GerryDuke]

Thanks Nuts - Peter. I want to get up to the Walls later in the week.

Gerry

[Taurë-rana]

Lovely photos, Peter.
Gerry, I wasn't at Dixon's Kingdom but up on the Cathedral Plateau this weekend and the scoparia was beautiful, just coming into its best I think. Somehow it always surprises me how colourful it is.

Scoparia.jpg (161.58 KiB) Viewed 7756 times

[GerryDuke]

Thanks Rachel. It's tricky. I have mentioned previously on the site than someone said to me once that it usually comes out at the Walls when you are not there. it's a long way to go as a day walk with camera equipment.

I took this one on my first trip there in 2001. In early February. It was virtually fully out but only on this bush!

RICHEA SCOPARIA - LAKE SALOME - WALLS OF JERUSALEM

LAKE_SALOME_A.jpg (204.27 KiB) Viewed 7731 times

Gerry

[johnw]

Nice images Peter. I saw a small amount at Hartz Mountains about 2 weeks ago and the odd bit in some other places. Usually just individual bushes, mainly red or orange. Some of it looked to be past its best. A couple of years ago I saw great swathes of it in all colours, in full bloom, along the Junction Lake track south of L Meston. As well as some very colourful stands around Dixons Kingdom and Mt Jerusalem. It's a spectacular sight.

[Drifting]

Great gallery! Thanks!