Aboriginal Name - Koi Kyenunu-ruff meaning "mist rolling around the mountains".
Mt. Toolbrunup is 1052m highand 2km to summitsoallow 3 to 4 hours return.
An hours Drive from Albany, the Stirling Range National Park is home to ancient mountains, an abundance of flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world and two resident Parks & Wildlife Rangers.
Mt Toolbrunup is the Second Highest peak in the Stirling Range national Park and as such the trail receives far less traffic than the famed Bluff Knoll (1095m). The literal centrepiece of the range stands out as you drive from the south along Chesterpass Road and the peaceful Moingup Springs campsite is nestled in at the foot of the mountain. Moingup Springs acts as a good base for exploring the rest of the range or a perfect place to camp if your planning a pre-dawn start on the hike.
You'll find a short gentle slope at the start of the trail before you find yourself crossing slate fields and venturing into tight trail through thick scrub at a steeper incline which lead you into openings where if your lucky you might see a Wedge Tailed Eagle or two soaring around the cliff faces. Toolbrunup trail ascends almost 900m over the 2km trail meaning the average of the gradient of the trail is almost 40-45% so prepare for some good thigh burn if you haven't hiked in a while. The trail leads you over large rock fields where the best plan of attack is to set your sights on a trail marker and choose your own adventure. Toward the peak you'll be climbing through double head high crevices and negotiating narrow trail along cliff faces before ascending through more crevices and cracks to reach the summit and views of the Stirling Ranges to both the east and west. If you're up early enough you'll see the sun rise over Bluff Knoll to the east and witness the sun chase the fog through the feet of the hills to the west.
For the more adventurous, plenty of climbing and bouldering can be found among the cliffs of Toolbrunup.
by William Marwick
wmarwick.tumblr.com
LFRF acknowledges all the Traditional Owners of the land [or country] and pay our respects to the Elders, past and present of all of Western Australia and urges you to please do the same.
