POPRAN NATIONAL PARK - MTB - 28 MAY 2017

27/5

I had such a good sleep last night and I actually slept in to 6:30am. I decided to make it a take it easy day.

Later in the morning, I met Jacinta for coffee at Terrigal Haven. We sat above the beach and enjoyed.

In the early afternoon, I got a haircut and a few things that I needed to buy ... aqua ear plugs, snorkel goggles with gopro attachment and some surfboard wax.

At home, I serviced my bike and cleaned up inside and outside.

28/5

POPRAN NATIONAL PARK

After another good nights sleep and a flat surf, I was ready for Popran National Park.

I parked on Ironbark Road, about a 1km before the picnic area. There was room there for four cars.



The ride started with a steep climb, then a long easy section to the start of Popran NP. Then, it was around the gate and onto to 248 trail. This was a long, rough, fun and in parts steep downhill until Donovan's Forest.

The forest is a relatively wide glade of ferns with well spaced trees. It was pretty and relaxing.

It was then up the hill on the other side of the glade and there was a small flat sandstone platform to ride around then it was downhill till the turnoff for the Hominy Creek trail and the narrow part of the 248 trail which became a dead-end track.

I rode along the 248 track but it was very difficult due to the high number of trees blocking the track. At the end of the track, was a large tessellated sandstone area that was covered in vegetation giving it a maze like appeal. I followed the tracks and was rewarded with views down to Mangrove Creek.



I backtracked and then followed the Hominy Trail. This trail followed the ridge and was well maintained until the last downhill section which was unbelievably eroded. It was very difficult getting down but the challenge was fun.

At the base and a little to the right was Emerald Pool. This pool really was emerald in colour and so clear and pretty. I was thinking of a swim but the wind was a little too cool today.



I scrambled around the pool then it was a  long steep walk up the track to Mount Olive trail and then it was a much longer and steeper ride/walk back to the start of the park.

The last section back to the van was long and fast. A great way to end a ride.

A challenging, fun and long 10.77 km ride.

POPRAN NATIONAL PARK MTB - 14 MAY 2016

I drove out to Popran National Park for a bike ride.

I parked near a wire fence along Ironbark Road where the road became too rough for the van to travel.

I peddled a couple of kilometres along the rough dirt road until I reached Popran National Park picnic area. There is a toilet and gate at this point.

I rode down the steep service road which was littered with loose stones and some deep sand obstacles.

I took the turnoff leading to the 248 trail and Donovan's Forest. The fire road was steep downhill. At Donovan's, the vegetation became more serene with softer plants and taller dispersed trees.

I reached the start of the narrow 248 trail. This was a fun, slowly ascending ride winding through thick mazelike vegetation until it reached an area of tessellated sandstone. I took a break here and watched the bird life.

The return down this trail was excellent - more speed with plants whipping at both sides. I copped a more sturdier branch to the face at one point splitting my lip but it was only minor.

Back on the main circuit trail, it soon turned narrow with fun descents, winding tracks, steps and more erosion type obstacles. At the steepest part leading before Hominy Creek, the track was heavily eroded and I had to porter the bike down.

Once I met up with Hominy Creek, I took the right track to Emerald Pool.

Emerald Pool was fed by Hominy Creek. The water was an emerald colour and the pool and area around it was very pretty. I took a rest and wandered around the pool and along Hominy Creek. I had to do it so I stripped off and tried to go for a swim in the pool. I got part of the way but it was icy cold.

I backtracked a short distant along the creek then crossed the creek and walked and rode the bike up the track to the turn off to Mount Olive.

I took the right turn and rode down and walked up two long very steep loose stone sections ending in a small area of rough tessellated sandstone at some lookout point. I rested here and watched a few butterflies at play.

I backtracked along the trail and continued on back to the picnic area and onwards to the van. This section was the hardest being very steep, loose stones and pockets of deep sand plus I was getting tired. Along the way, I diverted for a short distance towards Mount Olive but being tired I decided to do this challenge another day.

A long and challenging 13.75 km ride along some steep tracks and trails with plenty of obstacles and three pretty rest areas.

CENTRAL COAST - Popran NP - MTB - 21 december 2012

A cloudy day.

 

Parked along Ironbark Creek Road just after the pipeline trail. Cycled to picnic area. Through the gates.

I followed the service road through Donovan Forest - a quiet and serene place - to trail 248. This section was very narrow with vegetation at head height in places. It finished at a series of tessellating sandstone platforms, which were nice to walk around.

The return down the trail was better as it was downhill.

Then followed the Hominy Creek trail to Emerald Pool. This track was very rutted in sections. Emerald Pool was good but too emerald. I had a swim and found large huntsmen spiders living under the pool rock ledge.

The return journey to the car park was very steep uphill most of the way with some downhill.

In the last section before the carpark, I came across an echna, which quickly took a defensive position under a bush.

9.86 km
140m elevation difference
1.15 hrs
average speed 8.5km/h
max speed 31.8 km/h

CENTRAL COAST - Popran National Park – Mount Olive, Emerald Pool, Donovan’s Forest - HIKE - 5 July 2011

I set the GPS for Ironbark Road.  The road was labeled sealed and unsealed but the last 200 metres were 4w drive to national park car park.

The day was sunny but strong wind was predicted. The wind increased through the walk but it wasn’t a problem.

The planned walk entailed Mount Olive, Emerald pool and Donovan’s forest.

The walk started as a trail with a variety of wild flowers growing along the edges. The bottlebrushes were in full bloom in shades of red and yellow.

Turning off the trail, I followed the track to Mount Olive. It was an easy climb with a nice view over the national park.

Returning along the track, I followed the trail to the turnoff for Emerald Pool. This was fun track that ran beside a small creek that skirted to Hominy Creek. Hominy Creek had a flow of water running over sandstone. In parts it funneled, formed small pools or cascaded widely over the sandstone.

A track leads down 50 metres to Emerald Pool. It was a very pretty sight. The pool is a light green and deep. I thought about a swim but he water was icy cold. I sat down on a sunny slab of sandstone and enjoyed the serenity.

I backtracked a short distance, then followed the track to trail 248. At junction of the tracks I took the trail to the carpark via Donovan’s Forest. The forest in contrast with the surrounding area of open bush to a shaded forest that was floored with bracken fern that swayed in the breeze.

I continued along the trail to the carpark.

Thoughts

This walk would be better by cycling along the trails.