CLIMBING BLACK HILL

Narrow red earth path reaching high,
meandering through thick scrub land,
how much further ahead along this rock strewn difficult pathway until I see the sky?
Close by on narrow ledge the path curved around between trees and crossed over creek beds.

Ancient of rocks glimpsed beneath soft green ferns,
growing in abundance along path edges,
with just a gentle scattering of soft yellow flower heads,
intermingling throughout lush green meadow grass.

Afraid to look down too long lest I stumble and fall,
brief glimpses I gain of Olive trees,
and Red River Gums growing tall!
On weary legs and in some pain ,
I turn around and sit down to rest awhile,
observing my surroundings and the steepness of the terrain.

Along the red earth, rock strewn path below, native shrubs bearing masses of white and red flowers, in quiet abundance grow, whilst bushes with long green thorny spikes warn the hiker
not to get too close!

Climbing higher I am aware of a deep peace surrounding me, and as I stop and listen, the only sound I hear is the whisper of a breeze, through nearby trees and the soft tuneful songs of nearby birds.

I glance over my shoulder as the sun touches the tops of trees down in the valley, highlighting the emerald grass growing beneath.

Retracing my steps I look out across our city and suburbs, my gaze resting on the far expanse of ocean, where the suns rays turn calm deep water silver.

As daylight rapidly fades I move on down, delighting in sunset colours of soft pinks, mauve, orange and rich gold
adorning the night sky.


- AMJB

Black Hill Conservation Park covers an area of 684 hectares and is bounded to the north by the valley of the River Torrens and Gorge Road. To the south it joins Morialta Conservation Park by Fifth Creek and Montacute Road with the suburb of Athelstone adjoining the western boundary of the Park.

The Park conserves spectacular rugged ridges and offers gully scenery. A comprehensive network of management tracks and walking trails exists in the Park together with a wide variety of native plant species ranging from giant River Red Gums in the valleys, to low heath plants on the ridge tops. Common amongst the heaths are the low sheoaks, which give Black Hill its name. The foliage of the sheoaks gradually matures to a dark rusty, almost black colour, as summer progresses so that , looking from the Adelaide Plains, the hill appears to be black in colour.