1) Walk map - Shows route and waypoint locations

2) Photo from walk  (also see Photo Galleries)

3) 3D map view

4) Google map & Satellite imagery

5) Route profile

6) Walk description

7) Waypoint listing and grid references

Small laterite butte near Mt Yetar,

Aug. 2012.

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         Route profile

Approx. 50 kms east of Perth along Great Eastern Highway to Flynn Road turnoff (on right approx. 2km before The Lakes); further 6 kms down Flynn Road (part sealed, part dirt road) to end; then turn left to follow Albercorn Road (dirt road) for 2.4 kms to an old fenceline track on the right at the beginning of cleared land (former farmland).

13kms (50% off-track)

MEDIUM   (What does this mean?)

540m (cumulative ascent)

YES

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Start walk at 'START-B' waypoint on the right hand side (south) of Albercorn Road from where a rutted dirt track follows a fenceline at the start of old farmland. Park on the roadside taking care not to obstruct the narrow road.

Important access issue:   Walkers need to be aware that this walk area and many others on WalkGPS lie within drinking water catchment areas. In 2007 DoW in effect recommended a prohibition of all traditional off-track bushwalking activities across the entire Perth region catchment areas covering 4500 sq km, far beyond the limits of  existing or proposed Reservoir Protection Zones (see map). By March 2008, the DoW had been persuaded to reconsider its published position. The new Policy of 2012 refrains from banning traditional bushwalking in the outer catchments. The community, including visitors to WalkGPS, need to remain vigilant to ensure that commonsense continues to prevail over regulatory zealotry. See also Home page: 'Access' and Related access issues on WalkGPS, and DOW's "Mundaring Weir Catchment Area Drinking Water Source Protection Plan" of 2007.

Ridley Road (dirt road) runs W-E, close to the Helena River, through the centre of the walk area: head E-ward on the Road to meet Yarra Road within 3-5 kms, or head W-ward for 2-4 kms to reach Yetar Road (dirt road), then 3 kms NW on Yetar Rd to reach the end of Flynn Road (and start of Albercorn Road). Alternatively from Helena River, head N-ward from waypoint 'CSG2' via the dirt track to then follow the boundary track around the securely fenced old farmland to Albercorn Road (total 3.3 kms).

/Highlights:

This new WalkGPS route was only recently added to the site but has deservedly quickly become one of the most popular among regular bushwalkers. It's one of the shorter walks and is 50% on old vehicle tracks, but offers a surprising variety of terrain and scenery. The route straddles the Helena River valley, about 23 km upstream from Mundaring Weir and is almost entirely through beautiful open wandoo woodlands with occasional patches of rocky heathland. Highlights include some excellent views across the surrounding country (especially across the main valley, and eastward across Mt Billy area and beyond; small laterite-capped 'buttes' (isolated, steep-sided erosional remnants); plus large granite boulders in many shapes and sizes (some with small caverns, decorated in one case by recent 'aboriginal' artwork!); plus two pleasant crossing points along Helena River. (The River, when flowing, is normally no more than a very small stream, usually easily and safely crossed without getting boots wet). The route includes (for 2 kms) most of the 'horseshoe'-shaped, undulating ridge of Mount Yetar. The actual summit itself is heath-covered and unremarkable, and so is bypassed via the wandoo woodlands on a southern spur ridge.

The overlap between this route and the longer alternative Mount Yetar Walk (16 kms) is less than 1.8 kms (along the main Mount Yetar 'horseshoe' ridge) and the route along the ridge is slightly varied, so most walkers will find that both walks are worthwhile and offer a different overall experience.

Although this walk is 3 kms shorter than the alternative longer walk route and is 50% on old vehicle tracks, there is 15% more uphill climbing and some steepish, pebbly slopes, so walkers still need to be reasonably fit. There may be short sections of low scratchy heath.

Helena River Aboriginal Heritage Site:  The Helena River is one of many features and areas in the Darling Range that have special significance for the aboriginal people. It is important that such sites are respected and not disturbed in any way. (For information on aboriginal sites in the region see the DIA's Aboriginal Heritage Enquiry System.)

Controlled burns: See DEC's current 6-season indicative burn program.

WalkGPS walk map for OziExplorer users:  A downloadable OziExplorer format MAP file (*.map) for this walk area is included on the Maps, Waypoints & Track Files page. The zipped folder also includes the associated 'base' topo map image file, plus other attached waypoints, tracks/routes, etc in OxiExplorer file formats.

WalkGPS reconnaissance history: Click here for a map of past WalkGPS test walks in the walk area, plus the final route. The final route was selected only after several visits to the area which aimed to achieve a walk that would be the most rewarding.

Other: Mundaring 1:50,000 Sheet (Dept. of CALM, 1990);

or Mundaring & Chidlow 1:50,000 DEC Conservation Operations Graphic (COG) map series (current) Sheet 2134-3 & 2134-2.

Revegetation of farmland along Albercorn Rd - The initial 1.7 kms of this walk passes around the western and southern perimeter fence of degraded and cleared former farm grazing land with remnant stands of mature trees. Water Corporation has begun revegetating the 78 ha site with native species to re-establish Black Cockatoo habitat as an offset for habitat destruction on other Mundaring area projects. A rabbit-proof fence has been erected around the land to protect seedlings from rabbit foraging. (See Revegetation Plan, for Water Corp, Dec. 2009.)

Head south from the start point ('START-B') along the fenceline perimeter track, with former farmland (being revegetated) on the left and forest on the right. At waypoint 'A1' turn left to continue along the fenceline track to 'VU1' where a large sloping granite slab provides an excellent view across the Helena River valley to the horseshoe-shaped ridge of Mt Yetar. The old vehicle track then crosses a gully through wandoo woodland and begins to curve SE-ward. At 'A3' leave the main track to follow a secondary track to a granite outcrop and boulders at 'BLDVU', where again there is a good view across the valley. Continue SE, but now off-track, to cross a small gully (keeping an eye out for the small cavern in a boulder near 'BLDVU' which contains some modern efforts at 'aboriginal rock art). Pick a route through the cluster of large boulders and veer upslope to soon reach a domed outcrop (at 'BIGBDR'). Detour around the E-side of the boulder cluster to locate (at 'CRNRK') a smaller boulder on the S-side with a small cairn on top, and a view SW-ward down the valley. Descend quite steeply SE-ward to 'B1' and then veer S-ward downslope through open woodland to reach another domed outcrop at 'RK-A'. Then head SE-ward along slope to meet a dirt road at 'B2'. Follow the road for 1.3 kms. It initially veers around a small hill, then crosses a gully and another low spur ridge before descending toward another gully. At 'B3' leave the road to head SE-ward off-track through very open woodland to reach another dirt road at a crossing of the Helena River at 'CSG1'. (Sadly, in recent years the northern river-bank has become extremely rutted and eroded by 4x4 vehicles and trail bikes carelessly using the crossing.) The river crosses a large granite slab here and this makes a good spot for a rest. After crossing the river (usually an easy step-across) follow the dirt road SE-ward to the T-junction with Ridley Road at 'B4'. Then head upslope, off-track via 'B5' through mainly open woodland with patches of heath. At 'B6', after crossing a reddish, laterite  outcrop flanking a gully, head up the gully (SSE) for about 100m to cross it at about 'B7'. Then head across a steepish, pebbly laterite escarpment through beautiful open wandoo woodlands. On reaching 'B8' again veer SSE-ward upslope to cross the rocky eroded edge of the laterite which caps the ridge. Veer around a W-plunging gully to reach 'B9' near the head of the gully. Veer S-ward around the head of the gully to reach a granite slab surrounded by sheoaks at 'SLB-Y'. Continue approx. S-ward, bypassing patches of tall heath, to reach a flat granite slab at 'B10' from where there are good views across the central gully of the Mount Yetar 'horseshoe' to the wandoo woodlands on the western side of the 'horseshoe' ridge only about 1 km away.

Head E-ward into a patch of heathland on the crest of the Mt Yetar horseshoe ridge. At 'B11' turn right (SSE-ward) and (via 'Y20') pass back into wandoo woodland. At 'B12' veer SE, to head downslope to a granite slab at 'B13' from where there is an excellent sweeping view E-ward across Mount Billy area and beyond. Follow the outcrop along slope to about 'B14' then head due west upslope through low heath to regain the ridge at 'Y19'. Follow the rocky ridge WSW-ward down to a saddle area in very open wandoo woodland and then climb steeply up a pebbly slope to reach (at the 'KNOB') a very small remnant cap of laterite. This small butte offers only a limited N-ward view down the central gully, but its relatively high location and woodland surroundings make this a beautiful and tranquil rest spot. Then head S-ward down the steep slope to reach at 'B15' a narrow saddle below another, smaller laterite-capped butte at 'KNOB2'.

Most walkers will enjoy the short steepish climb to the top of this second butte to view the quite rugged terrain along the SE-flank of the main ridge. Cross the head of the gully to the west of 'B15' and climb steeply through heath to reach (at 'S-SMT') one of the higher areas along the 'horseshoe'. This location, on another laterite remnant in pleasant woodlands with an understorey of zamia palms, is 150m due south of the actual Mount Yetar summit area (at approx. 'SUMMIT'). The summit area is mainly heath-covered and can be bypassed by staying slightly downslope on more open ground to the SW while heading for 'Y16' about 400m to the NW along the ridge. Look for the easy ways through patches of scratchy heath along the ridge. Continue NW through a thicket of sheoak and climb up to another laterite-capped plateau area to reach 'Y15'.  This is on the NW area of the horseshoe ridge. Follow the NW edge of the  hill-top to 'REST' from where there is a nice view westward down the Helena River valley toward Mount Gorrie.  Head downslope, due north to 'Y14' gaining good views again across the main Helena River valley. Veer WNW through heath and a sheoak thicket to reach a large granite slab at 'SLAB'. Then descend NW across partly rocky ground (passing an interestingly eroded boulder) to reach a open grassy slope (at 'SLB-X'). Continue downslope NW through sheoaks and shrubland to meet Ridley Rd again (at 'B16'). Head west along Ridley Rd for 600m to 'B18'. Then follow the deeply rutted 4x4 track on the right down to a second crossing of the Helena River at 'CSG2'. Here the water course drops across a granite ledge and into a long rock pool creating a small waterfall and a peaceful setting (upset only by the debris of past, uncaring visitors on wheels). Again the 'River' is usually easily stepped across. Follow the old vehicle track increasingly steeply uphill (via 'B19' and 'B20'). Ignore two side roads that join from the right. At 'B21' turn left to leave the road and pass an interesting cluster of boulders, to then head approx. NW off-track up the steepening hillside. Pick an easy route through scratchy heath to reach 'B22', then veer sharp left (WSW) along slope toward 'BGSLB' to soon emerge from the heath onto a large sloping granite slab. From here there is a wide panoramic view across and along the Helena River valley. From 'BGSLB' head NW up the outcrop passing (at 'THRN') a curiously-eroded, throne-like granite boulder that's well positioned for gazing out across the valley. Continue to 'A2' through open woodland to rejoin the fenceline track and retrace your outward bound steps for 1.5 kms along the track (via 'A1') to return to the start point ('START-B').