posted Sunday, 07 May 2017, 14:40 (+0800), by Martin
rock cairn
Sullivan Rock, Jarrahdale, Western Australia
Canon EOS 50D, 24-105mm f/4L IS @24mm, 1/125 sec, f/6.3, ISO320
Canon EOS 50D, 24-105mm f/4L IS @24mm, 1/125 sec, f/6.3, ISO320
Just a few minutes after I re-stacked the rock cairn to what is shown in the photo above, some hikers came past, and one hiker decided to try to add one rock to the top of the cairn. His action caused the cairn to collapse, much to his embarrassment and our amusement. He quickly tried to re-stack the cairn before walking off.
This is at Sullivan Rock in Jarrahdale, where we stopped after a sunrise photoshoot elsewhere in Jarrahdale (photos still to come) on Easter Monday. It is a huge rock in the bush, and is very accessible, as it's located right near Albany Highway (and is somewhat similar to Boulder Rock in Karragullen).
There were numerous rock cairns like this located at various places on Sullivan Rock. I don't know if they were marking any specific spots, or if they were randomly placed by previous visitors. Post a comment if you know.
The Bibbulmun track runs through this area, and the cairns mark the trail over the rock.
I've hiked through here with some of my children to Mt Vincent, which along with the next peak (Mt Cuthbert) is one of the highest points on the Swan Coastal plain at over 500m. It's a very manageable walk if you start at the parking area at Albany Hwy (100m from Sullivan Rock) where you would have likely parked as well, and it's a nice bush walk to do with the family that isn't overly strenuous, and yet gets you to some interesting terrain and nice views.
Whenever the Bibbulmun track goes over rocks, it is marked by rock cairns like these, so they definitely aren't random and it's important that they don't get removed, otherwise people can lose the trail.
You'll find more details about this walk, and mention of the rock cairns for navigation, at these sites:
https://www.inspirationoutdoors.com.au/the-best-bush-walk-in-perth-sullivans-rock-to-monadnocks-bibbulmun-track/
http://www.thelifeofpy.com/bibbulmun-track-sullivan-rock
Going to Mt Vincent isn't even that far, but if you're really energetic you can keep going to Mt Cuthbert and even all the way to Mt Cooke.