On Friday 22nd May, Paul Ellis and I travelled south towards Little Forest Plateau to walk the Rusden Head track. The main purpose of this one-day walk was to investigate if there was sufficient water in the Budawangs after recent rain, for the 5-day trip Paul and Gary had planned for late May. The other reason was to try to get Paul fit for the big walk.

We arrived at the Little Forest carpark around 10.15am. The day presented us with a clear blue sky, however, there was a chilly breeze in the air. We donned our daypacks and headed down the 750 metres of the Little Forest Walking Trail. The trail is well-groomed and has many benches for those who can only walk small distances. At the end of the trail we reached a track junction and were greeted with some great views. To the north-west we could make out Folly Point, Quiltys Mountain, Mount Talaterang and the distant mountains of the Budawangs. To the south-west was Pigeonhouse. Partly obscured behind trees and Talaterang we could just make out the unmistakable bulk of Byangee Mountain.

From the junction we headed off west and began the 5km walk to Rusden Head. Paul noticed that the track had been cleared since he had last been here. Further along, the track became wet and slippery. We continued along and our earlier question was answered. The track was waterlogged in sections. At the first waterlogged section we decided to sidetrack so we could keep our feet dry, however, due to the thick Hakea and well hidden depression contours we abandoned this idea. The duckboards across the waterlogged sections were slippery and just above the water level, but with Paul and myself walking along them we were instantly up to our ankles in icy water. We could hear the birds chattering away, obviously laughing at our misfortune. I was quickly wishing Paul had stayed in bed. Continuing on, the track cleared of water, but not for long, we soon came to more waterlogged sections that were even worse than before. We continued until we came to more dry land. We stopped to put our gaiters on - like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted - and ventured further along. Again the track became waterlogged, Paul jokingly wondered why we hadnít brought along a canoe.

Just north of Rusden Head we scrambled over to the north-west cliffline, taking in the marvellous views of Pigeonhouse Gorge to Pigeonhouse Mountain and views of the southern Budawangs and the southern tip of Byangee Mountain. At Rusden Head, Paul and I explored the views that drop hundreds of metres to the valley floor, it was quite breathtaking. Paul noticed the rope which leads down to Wombat Ridge had been removed. Paul was starting to regret not bringing along his camera, there were certainly a large number of photo opportunities that went begging during this walk.

At this point we found a spot to have lunch, well within sight of a great view of the gorge below us. After lunch we left our packs and decided to explore the south-eastern end of Rusden Head. We made our way through the thick heathland, keeping close to the cliff-edge. From the eastern cliffline we looked out over the Jindelara Creek valley. Looking across the valley towards the western cliffline of Florence Head we noticed a thickly flowing waterfall. The falls are unnamed on the maps. To the south was Kingiman Mountain and the south coast near Ulladulla. We returned to our packs, and with a call of -Lets get our feet wet- we headed back to the car. Our feet certainly did get wet too.

It was certainly a very interesting walk. One I would certainly consider walking again, even if the track is still waterlogged. We had considered the extra option of taking in Florence Head on this walk, after all, it was only an extra 6km walk there and back, but Paul had to return home and get ready for work. No doubt we will have a chance to see Florance Head during a future walk in this area.