Boxall Road and Bibbulmun

Oh dear. We shared a 500ml bottle of cider with dinner last night, and both of us were asleep by 8.30pm. So it was an early start this morning with our last walk amongst the tall trees on the section north of South West Highway. Plan was to drive to Sappers Bridge and do a short walk eastwards on the Bib, but the road leading to bridge was closed due to slippery conditions.
We did drive to Circular pool which was down the road from Sappers Bridge turnoff and both of us had a dejevu experience like we'd been before. Then it occurred to us that we came with our dear friends a long time past when international travel was common.

Enquiry at the Visitors Centre showed us Boxall Road as an alternative entry, but the lady was not sure of the road conditions as the rains were rather heavy in previous days. Yes, we experienced that. We drive about 2 km into Boxall Road and parked at the shoulder when road conditions deteriorated. We walked the remaining 2km to the Bib.

It rained most of the way. Not heavy like yesterday, just a consistent light rain, enough for umbrellas to be raised and boots to be damp. Fortunately, pants stayed dry. It might also have something to do with newer hiking pants and better fabric technology. It was cold though. Much colder than yesterday. Not far into the walk, I had to take shelter in the hollow of a Tingle tree to put on a fleece layer under my raincoat. I stayed perfectly dry in nature's changeroom.

The vista along Boxall Road was almost as beautiful as in the Bib. Karri and Tingle trees gave way to thin maleleuca looking trees with very small stands of sheok forests. The sheoks thrilled me with the raindrops clinging to the ends of its spindly needle leaves like jewels. Looking through that gossamer lace of leaves onto the forest was like looking through The finest lace. These images helped me up the steep inclines as I eagerly stepped on to see what else was ahead.

However, the Chinese in us took over after only 4.5km in. We only packed an apple each and a small handful of seeded crackers. The hike back was fuelled by the promise of fish and chips at Peaceful Bay.

We did not mind this shorter walk as we will certainly return to hike some more in Walpole.Read more