Ho Chi Min Trail

Last week we drove to Mt. Lewis and together with Joan and Phil, we hiked along the Ho Chi Min Trail.  The trail runs all the way down to Mt. Carbine but we stopped at the top of the escarpment.  Joan is a member of the orchid society and was searching for flowering orchids.  I am becoming more and more interested in them also.  Joan was able to show me all the little nooks and crannies where the smallest orchids live.  I don't know that the men were that interested in looking for orchids but they never showed boredom!  We hiked for four hours and I loved every minute of it.  The trail itself is well marked and it is a very easy hike....at least the part that we walked.  On the way back to the car we detoured to the lake....a home for red-bellied black snakes....but we were lucky enough not to run into any.  It is winter so they are still in hibernation but it won't be long before they start coming out to sun themselves.  I marvelled at the changing landscape.  The beginning of the walk is through lush rainforest but where we turned around it is much drier and is gum tree country with a scattering of pines.  It was a thoroughly enjoyable hike and the cup of tea and sandwich after went down a treat!

Phil reading the information on Mt. Lewis

I liked the water droplets clinging to a spider web on this little flower

A rusting axle to remind us that this area was once mined

Beautiful colour and texture in the gum tree

Little orchids that will flower in the next couple of weeks

This tree is hollow but still manages to throw out branches and leaves!

The two Phil's checking out the view

Joan and Philip sharing lunch

Orchids on the brink of flowering

Little orchids hiding under a log

View towards Carbine

More little orchids

Another view of the hollow tree.