The Taking of the KNOLL

On the way to the knoll, we saw it's awesome peak in the distance, with clouds passing through the saddles on either side........we couldn't believe there was actually a hike to the top!





Here is the Knoll in context, with the start of the path to the left. It went from an easy paved stroll, which quickly turned into a steep rocky track, weaving around valleys and over saddles to reach the summit.

Me on the trek up. The vegetation became very 'alpine like', with the tallest shrub being 3-4ft. Lots of wild flowers out up there still, probably because it is a lot cooler up the top then at the base. You can see the road snaking it's way through the National Park in the background. This is about 3/4 the way up. We thought we were at the top, then turned a corner and saw the trail still going up!

Emma, on the 'stone seat of death'. This is on the bit that sticks out on the bluff, you know the type of formation that cuts under before it then falls vertically.





At the summit. We loved the view, it reminded us of some of the scenes from the Lord of the Rings movies.






Ok, the pictures came up at the top of the text.....sorry! Anyway, we decidied to trek to the top of the highest peak in Southern WA, Bluff Knoll, which lies within the Sterling Range national Park, about 100k's north of Albany. The distance to the peak is 3.1k's. The trek was certainly tiring, but not at all dangerous, although a fall from the top would be a heart stopper. The path vertually goes straight up via valleys, ridges and saddles, with no flat spots to catch your breath.