Sunday, 16 June 2013

Our own Grand Canyon



Our own Grand Canyon

A Grade 2 canyon ­– 1 abseil, 1 long swim, 1 fun half day


Many, many people’s favourite walk in the Blue Mountains is called the Grand Canyon loop. It takes about 2.5 hours, going through little caves, eucalypt forest, rainforest, crossing creeks and then steeply up to one of the best lookouts in the Blue Mountains. It’s featured in my recent book, Top Walks in NSW.
But there is a great way to make this little adventure even more fun, and see a part of the canyon that few people do. In recent years some bolts and a chain have been put in a sensible spot to make the one abseil needed safer and so as not to cause any more damage to the one tree that people used to abseil off.
Grand Canyon, canyon, Ken Eastwood

The canyon is graded 2/6 on the canyoning scale, which means it is considered fairly easy, but as the abseil is overhung and slippery, it would definitely be advised for all to have had at least a little abseiling practice. The canyon section isn’t particularly long and the main, long swim is right at the end, so it is fairly safe, and my 13-year-old daughter made it through the canyon no worries. It is also a canyon in which it is almost impossible to get lost, as after about an hour or so in the canyon, you run into the main walking track.
However, as with all canyons, this should not be attempted during, immediately after or just before rain. Canyoning can be a dangerous sport, and so it is strongly advised that at least one person in your party has canyoning experience, and that you take all precautions against hypothermia, injuries, dehydration etc.

Start

I find it best for both this canyon, and the Grand Canyon loop walk, to park at the Neates Glen trackhead, near the bottom of Evans Lookout Road in Blackheath. It means the final 1.5km uninteresting walk back along the top from the lookout to the car can be done by the fittest person, while the others enjoy an extended stop at the lookout.

Walk in
The fun walking track includes a creek crossing and lots of birdlife, with the track at one point going behind (or under) a waterfall, and then through a short tunnel
Waterfall on the walk in, Grand Canyon Loop

After about 30 minutes of walking, you’ll notice the slot canyon on the left-hand side (steeply below), and the track goes under some low-hanging sandstone overhangs, with a chain fence beside the track. On the left-hand side, just beyond the chain fence, you’ll notice a fixed abseil chain, and about 4 metres below it, a large black hole. This is the abseil point.

The abseil
The chain is sensibly set up so that the start of the abseil is easy, allowing newbies to get comfortable before disappearing over the edge. The worst thing is that the set up is so far back that if anything goes wrong, it is very, very hard to communicate with people who have already gone over. Still, nothing should go wrong.
In total, the abseil is about 16m high, and the last 10m is an overhang. You drop into a beautiful big cavern, with a gravel and rock base, and unless the water level is very high, you should be able to stand there without getting wet.
There are no more abseils, so harnesses can be put away.
Those who are going to wear wetsuits (highly recommended, but not essential in this canyon - if no wetsuit, wear thermals and/or wool jumper) are advised to put them on before abseiling, or once you get to the bottom.

Having fun yet?
Heading downstream (i.e, to the right!) you will be delighted with the green balconies of ferns, the thin canyon wall letting in occasional shafts of light, mosses, huge orange yabbies, plunge pools and the signs of the ferocious destructive force of the river when it really gets pumping. Have a look at the size of the logs that have been rammed against walls, and you’ll know why it is never advised to go canyoning after or during rain.
Ken Eastwood and yabby

The rocks can be incredibly slippery. However, those who don’t want to get wet may be able to carefully weave their way around the plunge pools. With a wetsuit on, it’s more fun just to plunge in.
After about an hour, another very small canyon comes in from the left. It’s only about 40m long, with a waterfall shower at the end, and worth clambering up to see. Then there’s a swim, described as 30m, but it may not even be that long.

The end
Pop out the other side of the swim, and soon you’ll see a couple of distracting tracks disappearing up to the left. Ignore these, and stay following the water for another 50m or so, until a little track appears on the right hand side of the river. Follow this instead, and you’ll find the main walking track (that you left earlier).
Those wanting another small canyon to round out their day can walk to Jugular Canyon from here. It will take another couple of hours to complete that canyon.
Where the main walking track crosses the river (back over to the left), is often a good place to stop, get changed into something dry and or warm and have a bite to eat. A smaller track goes straight ahead, following the river for a bit longer, called the Rodriguez Pass Walking Track, and in 15 minutes or so it reaches the lovely hidden Beauchamp Falls.
If you are cold after your canyon, don’t worry, the walk up to Evans Lookout will soon warm you up. It is steep and long enough to test most people, but the stupendous views at the end are your reward. And the coffee and hot chips in Blackheath.
www.kensbigbackyard.com.au

All photos in this post by Ngaire Beckett.







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