Stirling Ranges

Tried to have an early start seeing we were heading off today. Have enjoyed the week of beaches but looking forward to travelling up to the Stirling Ranges today. It wasn't long after leaving that the ranges loomed up on the horizon. You can see why the Aboriginal name for them means mist around the mountains.   

Stirling Ranges on the horizon

 

Flowering gum on side of the road

We called into the Lily Windmill to have a look. We were hoping it was still a cafe but no luck.   

   We couldn't take the van up to the beginning of the walk so we booked in to a 'resort'  which looked more like a fairly basic caravan park  we were the only ones there I think. Great views of the range in the background as we set of.  

It is a really long range with many different peaks. More than 100 million years ago a shallow sea covered the area. Minerals, soil, sand and bones of tiny sea creatures slowly drifted down through the water to form layer upon layer of sentiment.  After the sea receded, over aeons of time the layers were transformed into layers of rock by the pressure created by their own weight and ripple marks are still visible on exposed areas of rock on the peaks.  Massive forces created by the slow grinding of the Australian continent against other continents eventually caused the rocks to buckle and rise. The weathering forces of wind and rain, heat and cold steadily worked to erode the range into the shape we see today.   The day was perfect for a walk up to the highest peak Bluff Knoll which stood at 1095 metres. It was a grade 4 walk but how hard could it be. OMG, it was a challenge with it being 2 hours straight up and very steep. Lots of loose rocks and huge steps. Maybe we are getting too old for Grade 4 walks!  Views on the way up were incredible.   

 

 

The Bluff which was the goal

Almost there

 

Made it

 

Incredible views from the top and all the way back down.

Just Beautiful!