By Lynne Newey
MITCHELL FIRE TRAIL 5KM TO THE END AND BACK, EASY 1 HOUR.
This trail starts at the end of Mitchell Road Dural. Drive into Carters Road off Galston Road. Turn fourth left into Laurie Road then first right into Mitchell. There is easy parking at the end of Mitchell (a cul-de-sac) before the gate to the trail.
I started at around 7.30 a.m. on a very “sticky” humid, overcast Saturday morning. The trail is wellgraded and easy to walk. There are gentle ups and downs and just a few gravelly and loose patches. Big old white and scribbly gums line the trail, and after recent rains, the lush greenery and new bush growth are bursting all around.
Local friends introduced me to this walk, and it’s a great walk to clear the cobwebs out of your system. AND! Talking about cobwebs, did I cop them on this morning walk!! I was ducking and weaving all over the trail. I managed to miss a really BIG one (ha! ha! I said you didn’t get me!) only to turn around and run right into another.
I noticed plenty of bush flowers: flannel flowers, pink and red grevilleas and sprinklings of tiny white flowers like star-dust throughout the bush.
Reaching the end of the trail at 2 1/2 km, you stand high on a ridge overlooking the valley and over to the next ridge on the other side. There are plenty of large rocks and rocky platforms to sit on to relax and revive. The fresh air and experiencing peace is so good for the soul. I watched the mist rising through the far ridge and the blue sky starting to present itself, and the sun glistening through the trees.
Well, having taken in the view, I about turned and started back. Again dodging cobwebs along the way. Arriving back at my car happy to have completed another “Leg” feeling exercised, pumped and bright.
