I had heard that the Horse Track near Evans Lookout at Blackheath had recently been reopened after a period of track work, and suggested it to Bob as a suitable outing. The usual track had been closed for a long period, after bushfires and floods, and the National Parks and Wildlife Service has decided to now use the Horse Track as the way to go from Evans Lookout to the Grose Valley.
We had a very interesting, although somewhat strenuous walk.
At the new Evans Lookout carpark, a Rock Warbler flew down to say hello –
And the Rock Warber, or another was down at the lookout –
Evans Lookout has had a major makeover. But the heritage shelter still remains –
And there are great views of the Grose Valley –
We then walked soon the track that goes to the Grand Canyon and Greaves Creek. A short way down is the turn off to the Horse Track. Before descending, we visited an unofficial side lookout – John Harris Lookout.
This lookout provides great view of Carne Walls. And looking down we could see Beauchamp Falls –
We returned to the Horse Track.
It has been rebuilt to a high standard.
Part way down is a water supply –
Near the bottom we passed a team of track workers.
At the bottom, we hoped to return via the old track if it was still passable. It was easy to follow it up Govetts Creek and then Greaves Creek.
We passed the old Syncarpia campsite –
And the going was still good as we walked upstream and reached the series of beautiful waterfalls. The lower falls are not named.
The track crosses the creek at Campbells Falls.
It was now that things became more serious. Lots of the track was washed out, and very unstable. Many sections looked very dangerous.
But it was nice to see the old stonework –
At Beauchamp Falls, we used the old track that passes very close to the waterfall –
This has one steep section but is relatively safe.
A little further up, we passed a huge group of canyoners, and stopped for lunch at the junction with the Grand Canyon track.
A few small birds came down to share our lunch –
White-browed Scrubwren
Yellow-throated Scrubwren
Then we walked up the stairs back to Evans Lookout.
We could see why the NPWS had abandoned the old Rodrigues Pass Track down Greaves Creek. That valley now looks very dangerous and unstable. It is shame however to miss out on the delightful series of waterfalls starting at Beauchamp Falls. They rival the waterfalls in the Valley of the Waters.
On the way down the mountains, we stopped off at Medlow Bath to see another old heritage horse trough. This one, a Bills Horse Trough is in good condition near the railway line.
