New track - not knowing what to expect!
After planning a hike with friends on the new trail in the Glasshouse Mountains - Yul Yan Man I started to doubt if I would cope with the hike.
5 out 5 difficulty the description stated for one part and I started to think I was out of my comfort zone. Further research talked about a 60 degree rock slope to go down.
My mind started to wander wondering what the rock would be like - I have a fear of slipping - will it be smooth?, will it be slippery?, what happens if it rains?
Being with 4 close, encouraging and caring friends I decided I could achieve it as I knew they would watch out for me.
Yul Yan Man means to ‘walk slowly’ and that we did as we followed the bright pink triangular distance markers on the new Yul Yan Man track which skirts around Mt Beerburrum - not the base of the mountain, but about half way up and then transverses the Trachyte Ridge
Within a short distance of starting the track we scrambled over boulders, edged around narrow ledges, hiked along rubble strewn tracks, over rock slabs, descended down a steep rocky face on my bottom to the Trachyte circuit,
Smiling now - boulders got bigger and bigger!
Although we started at 7am the sun was soon belting down on us. Our energy levels were getting low as we descended down the steep rockface to the crossroads of Trachyte Track and Soldier Settlement Track. Nobody argued when one of the group decided it would be best to head back instead of continuing on the full Trachyte Circuit -just far too hot, so we decided to pick up a small amount of the Trachyte and then the Soldier Settlement track which would take us back to our cars.
Having to watch footing whilst edging around
One of the lookout views
Hmm….. felt safer closer to the ground down the steepest part!
Returned via Soldier Settlement track whilst stopping and admiring the many great views of the various Glasshouse Mountains - all in over 30 degree heat.
Heading back on the Soldier Settlement track
.