Evans was sent by Governer Maquarie to mark the route of the explorers and extend their discovery beyond the mountains.

In recognition of their success
Evans wrote,
November 26th 1813

"I stopped this evening at the foot of a very handsome mount which I take the liberty to call Mount Blaxland".  Evans continued "I am at a loss to describe the pleasant appearance of this place, the grass being quite green and good makes it a very pleasing scene"

From the top of Mount Blaxland which they ascended the explorers could see enough forest land through Hartley Valley to Mount York "sufficient to feed the colony in their opinions for the next 30 years".

What lay the the North and West was hidden by daunting grey Mountains.