26-03-16

Tal, Mandy and my good self

Dalpura is a Wiradjuri (?) word meaning “Calm.”

Dalpura brook is a calm little creek off the Bells line of Road, near Bell, that has some shallow, short but very pretty canyon sections along its length before it plumbles over the cliffs into the Grose valley.

It was a bit of stop,start, on again, off again, change plans again and again this weekend. I was originally aiming for something a little more remote, an over nighter out to Crikey or something. But for various reasons it just wasn’t going to happen so then we revised the plan for a double header of Dalpura and another, lesser know Canyon nearby. It was just Me Mandy and Tal available so it didn’t really matter what we did.

Then Tal got invited to go camping with his mates so we thought maybe a little romantic walk up near the Glowworm tunnel to scout out a dry-ish canyon I knew about but wasn’t 100% sure of the location.

Then a few of Tal’s mates called in sick so he didn’t go camping.

Sleeping in a little and waking up to a very pleasant day we finally decided on plan D 2.1. It would be a shame to waist a nice day so let’s atleast do Dalpura on it’s own.

Dalpura is a fairly short trip with a few short, shallow canyon sections. Not something people would set aside a whole day to drive up and do but living close by it seemed like a valid option to me.

Once again trying to keep that exploratory feel I didn’t read too much about it but printed out the notes for Tal and Mandy to use as a guide. We parked off the highway at a little gate blocking an old fire trail. It kind of matched the description but we were a bit further east than the Grid reference given. Looking at the map it looked possible to head straight down south and hit one of the many upper gullies that ran into Dalpura Brook. So that’s what we did.

It was a little scrubby along the ridge but we avoided a hanging swamp and found ourselves following a small water course down to the cliff line. Where we were blocked by a reasonable size drop. We scramble around to the left where another gully drops in. and are stopped by a smaller drop. Back around under the cliff line to the right we find a fallen tree that gives easy access to the canyon floor.

We have come into a dry creek bed in a pretty amphitheater. Down stream is a short canyonious section

 

but then the gully opens up and became very over grown. Looks like the 2013 fires had burnt right through here. There was lots of dead fall and the regrowth was jungle like. Thick scrubby and not much fun in the heat of the day, in wetsuits.

Then the cliffs closed in and the now flowing stream dropped through a narrow cleft into an amazingly green pool.

 

We had debated about whether to bother with wetsuits but in the end had decided I’d rather carry them in and not need them than leave them at home and go hypothermic. We had put them on in the first little canyonette which had some deep wades but they had been getting uncomfortably warm during the scrub bash down the more open section. Peering into the sublime chamber below we couldn’t wait to get in.

We set the ropes and Tal lead the way. This is a nice little abseil into what would have to be one of the prettiest little canyon chambers in all of the Blue Mtns. My photos just don’t do it justice.

I’m not sure what minerals give the water this colour but it really is sublime.

After stuffing around with photos and videoing , and Tal exploring the possibility of scrambling back up to do it as a jump (to no avail) we continue down stream.

 

There are several short canyon section inter-spaced with pleasant creek walking

 

Even the yabbies have taken on the pale aqua-blue colouring.

Although the slot was never that deep there was some nice bits to it including a tunnel like section. Part way through this a log jam has created a tight duckunder that I had to remove my pack to  enable me to swim through

We stopped for lunch at the top of the optional abseil that marked the end of the canyon. Shall we head down for a look? says I.  OK says Tal. Not I says Mandy.

It’s an interesting little drop done in 2 stages, both slippery a snot. Tal steps into what he thinks is a shallow pool between the two stages and promptly sinks well  over his head…

The ledge below had promised views over the Grose Valley (I’ve never understood what’s so grose about it. Even Charles Darwin described it a s”Stupendous” and “Magnificent” maybe it should be the “Grouse Valley, mate”) However these as just glimpses through the scrub at the edge of where Dalpura drops over the steepness amongst a mass of boulders.

We scramble back up beside the water fall, pick up Mandy and make our way out along Jinki ridge which has some great views out over the pagoda country almost as spectacular as those at the Lost City,

Party Size: 3, all experienced

Times: 4hrs car to car relaxed pace lots of photos and mucking around

 

19:03:16

Edwin, Garry, Meggs, Ben and myself

This was one I’d earmarked to do this year. Some of the others seemed a bit dubious, it’s a long walk in for something with no abseils, says they. Yeah but it’s got  a great constriction in deep water, says I. I think I convinced them. Sort of. They agreed to come in any case.

Tal was out with a twisted ankle from 7 games of basketball through the week  and to be honest I was feeling a little worse for wear from reffing 7 games of basketball through the week, but the wet canyoning season was drawing to a close for us wizened (or is that soft?) souls and I was keen to get it in before the cold set in.

Mandy wasn’t keen on the thought of a 3hr walk in and Bryson pulled out at the last minute.

The second part of the walk in is zero-tracking and I had heard of groups struggling to find their way in and ending up in the wrong creek so Thursday night I thought I’d double check the batteries in my old E-trex just in case. Screen was, well, not blank but as good as. Belatedly I remember it once having two battery covers, the water proof one and one that doubled as a bike mount. Last canyon it didn’t make it into the dry bag. It had the bike mount. Bugger! But it was purchased in the 90s so probably time for an update. ‘Cept no one but no one in my area had any in stock.

I find a plot online and get Dukesie to enter it into his Garmin 800 bike computer for back up just in case we need it.  Turns out navigation was fairly straight forward anyway but I get ahead of myself.

We depart the ‘Go around 7am, head up to meet Ed at Mt Wilson and set off on foot just after 7:40am.

The hike in starts with a pleasant stroll along a fire trail with stunning views over the Wollangambe wilderness, before continuing onto a foot track down to Du Faurs creek at the start of Clatterteeth canyon.

I’d done Clatterteeth canyon with Mandy and Scott in the early days of our first canyoning craze I think it was the 3rd or 4th canyon we’d ever done but I remember parking the car further down the main road towards the big bend and fighting the leeches through dense scrub across the hill. Now there was a clear trail and we made good time with no dramas.

The scramble down into Du Faurs was a little intimidating back then but seemed fairly straight forward with a fixed line in place this time around

Clatterteeth gets nice really quick but we head straight across and scramble up the other side. From here there will be no trail and I have map and compass ready.

The undergrowth is fairly sparse so it wasn’t really “bush bashing”. I pointed Ed in the right direction and he had no trouble following the ridge up and around. Occasionally we double check with the bike computers to see if we are still on the right path but the only bit that really needed confirmation was where we choose to head down the other side and we seemed to have hit that spot on.

Hold up, calls Meggs. Ben had bonked. Out of energy. Flat. Kapunked. We’d been going steadily for around 2hrs at this point, with some steep terrain thrown in. Ben had simply run out of energy and was tripping over himself. Teenagers! Back in my day…

We stop for a break and Meggs pumps some food into him. Refueled Ben looks a lot better. Good to go. We continue down into the gully that would deliver us to our first slot. Belfry Canyon

Belfry is a pretty little canyon and having lugged his SLR all the way in Edwin gets busy with the tripod to grab some shots.

Us less fussy photosnappers do our best with our phone cameras

There was some scrambling to get in, a tricky slide/climb down a log and around onto a ledge then some very nice constriction. Followed by some airy down climbs and boulder hoping once things opened up again.

Bizarrely as I wait on top of the big vertical down climb my phone dinged away with in coming text messages. 2 bars of service. Cool. I fire off a photo to Mandy and Tal to show them what they are missing out on.

We soon reach the junction with Bell crk and head down stream into the constriction.

It was pretty special.

 

 

 

I’d told the guys to bring lilos as there were some long deep pools but there were also lots of log jams so we didn’t inflate them just yet.

 

Should we inflate the lilos? Na, a bit of tricky down climbing.

Should we inflate the lilos yet? Na, its a bit shallow.

Should we inflate the lilos yet? Na, looks like a bit more scrambling yet

Should we inflate the lilos? Na, it’s a bit narrow and shallow

Should we inflate the lilos? Na, too late waters deep, constriction is narrow. Too much awesomeness distracting us to bother now.

You don’t see too many photos of the main constriction in Bell crk, now I know why. It’s a dark, sustained slot in deep water. Too dark for a quick shot. Water too deep to set up a tripod. It’s a bloody nice bit of canyon.

It’s a long cold swim and by the half way mark we are all thinking the lilos would have been a good idea but the delicate curving of the walls keep our minds off the cold.

The canyon opens out a little and the water becomes shallow enough to wade. Up ahead we see a dry beach, maybe that’s a good spot to inflate the lilos

It wasn’t until we find a sunny spot for lunch we realise how cold we had gotten. The sun was nice but once we stop moving hands quickly turn numb and I, at least, begin shaking a bit.

 

 

It was a bit of a struggle to get going again but with more boulder hoping and scrambling to be seen down stream I don’t think I’d bother with lilos next time either. Sure it was nice to take them out for a walk but I’m sure they’d be just as happy back at home.

 

 

Some more nice, openish canyon follows before we reach the junction with Du Faurs crk, several kms down stream of where we had crossed it earlier in the day.

 

We head up Du Faurs, AKA the bottom section of Clatterteeth canyon, encountering a long upstream swim (Should we inflate the lilos yet?) in a very nice section of canyon

 

Then up Joes canyon, another pretty little constriction, which offers an easy scramble out the top and hence up to the main Wollangambe track and from there back to the car

 

Party size: 6. all experienced

Time.: A bit over 8hrs car to car with plenty of photo faffing

Access: Easy walk though a bit steep in spots

Navigation: Navigation is fairly straight forward on good paths.

Map:  Mt Wilson

Time: It takes about 1hr

This is a nice little loop in the picturesque village of Mt Wilson. It winds it’s way through a  rain forest down to Waterfall crk. There are 2 falls to look at. The first is a little cascade in a pretty, shaded grotto typical of what is to be found throughout the Blue mts. The second fall is larger and a bit different. Instead of the usual sandstone that is more common around the mountains it tumbles down an outcrop of basalt.

I’m not posting any photos as it’s a nice surprise when you see it.

Getting there: Drive into Mt Wilson and follow the signs to Waterfall reserve and park in the spots provided. Wander across the reserve, tending a bit left and you will pick up the trail on the far side. The trail leads down to the creek then winds back past the two falls before looping back to the reserve.

Note 1: Taking care  While reasonably well known these spots are still wild places and care needs to be taken around cliff edges and on the steep trails.  Carrying the right gear as well as having adequate food, water and clothing is important. Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to get back.

Emergency beckons (PLBs) can be hired from Katoomba Police for very little.

Note 2: First aid A basic first aid kit is essential bit of kit whenever heading into the Aussie bush. A basic first aid is highly recommended

Note 3: Maps and Navigation Having the right map, a compass and knowing how to read them is very important when heading into the bush. If you are new to bush walking joining a club or accompanying more experienced walker for you first few outing is a very good idea. I found practicing map reading on well defined trails was helpful when I started out.

The Maps mentioned are the 1:25000 series. They can be purchase at Lithgow tourism information center, from outdoors shops or online for around $10 each.

Note 4: These are wild and beautiful places, respect them. If you are able to carry something in you can carry it out. Don’ be a tosser. Leaving your rubbish behind is a sure way to ruin it for every one else.

 

Back

Access: Easy walk. 1km lots of steps

Navigation: Navigation is fairly straight forward.

Map:  Katoomba

Time: It takes about 30min to walk down to the cave site

Walls Cave was an aboriginal occupational site on Greeves crk, Blackheath.

It is situated between two dams and the area was off limits for a long time due to Sydney Water declaring it a restricted zone. Access is now reopened and well worth a visit.

Getting there:  Park at the end of Walls Cave rd, which is to the right off Evans lookout rd about 2km in from the highway. From here the start of the walk is well sign posted.

Head on down the stairs, after about 500m in there is a turn to the right (Straight goes to the cliff above the creek upstream of the lower dam). The creek cuts through an impressive  tunnel section just to the right of a little bridge. Continue down the trail there are some stepping stones across sections of the creek so you may get wet feet.

The cave site is very impressive and is of special significance to local aboriginal peoples so please show the area the utmost respect and stay within the fenced area.

Return the way you came

Other points of interest near by

Grand Canyon Loop

Note: The great outdoors is an ever changing place. Bush fires, changing weather, vegetation growth and forestry activities can all affect the trail conditions and thus the difficulty of the walk, or even the drive to the car park. These are a rough guide only and are by no means meant to be a definitive guide . They do not replace the need for adequate map reading and navigational skills

Note 1: Taking care  While reasonably well known these spots are still wild places and care needs to be taken around cliff edges and on the steep trails.  Carrying the right gear as well as having adequate food, water and clothing is important. Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to get back.

Cliffs in the area are seldom fenced off and are often under-cut. Fragile ironstone ledges can extend out a meter or more yet be only centimeters thick. the rule of thumb is no closer than a body length and a half to the edge without tying into a safety line.

On pagodas this is disastrous in a different way. It’s taken millions of years for the distinctive Platey pagodas to form but one careless footstep can damage the formation. Platey pagodas are unique to our area. Don’t ruin them from carelessness.

Emergency beckons (PLBs) can be hired from Katoomba Police or Blackheath NP office for very little.

Note 2: First aid A basic first aid kit is essential bit of kit whenever heading into the Aussie bush. First aid training is highly recommended

Note 3: Maps and Navigation Having the right map, a compass and knowing how to read them is very important when heading into the bush. If you are new to bush walking joining a club or accompanying more experienced walker for your first few outings is a very good idea. I found practicing map reading on well defined trails was helpful when I started out.

The Maps mentioned are the 1:25000 series. They can be purchase at Lithgow tourism information center, from outdoors shops or online for around $10 each.

Note 4: These are wild and beautiful places, respect them. If you are able to carry something in you can carry it out. Don’ be a tosser. Leaving your rubbish behind is a sure way to ruin it for every one else.