Bob had suggested this walk a while back. He was keen to look for a pass from the gorge section of the Brook to the ridge the goes out to Odin Head. The interesting thing about the pass was that involved climbing up a tree that had metal spikes screwed into it for assistance. There are other passes in the Blue Mountains that involve trees with spikes – the one of the exit from Dargans Creek Canyon and the one in Mitchells Creek Pass on Narrow Neck.
On an earlier walk to Victoria Brook – we had walked around an upper canyon section. It would be nice to visit this properly – bit as it was likely to involve some swims it would be better to do it in warm weather.
So on a warm November day, we headed out the Victoria Falls Road, and then turned off along the rough fire road that goes out towards Odin Head.
The cicadas were very noisy!
We left the fire road and then followed a ridge down towards Victoria Brook. It was noice to spot a Flying Duck Orchid (Caleana major) –
On the way down to Victoria Brook, we got some great views –
It was not to hard to scramble down to the first off the S bends of Upper Victoria Brook.
And sure enough, not far downstream was the start of the canyon –
It was easy to negotiate, but involved two cold swims. Once through, we found ourselves in the nice gorge we had walked down on the earlier walk.
Here is short tunnel –
A bit further downstream, the creek opened up a bit.
Then the gorge starts up again –
It was mostly very nice walking.
There is one rough part, with big boulders. Here we followed the same way through we had used before –
We were still a bend or so above the waterfall with old engravings, but here was where Bob suggested looking for the tree pass. We made our way up scrubby side creek coming in from the north.
It was easier to leave the creek bed and follow under overhangs on the side –
There was no easy way out we could see upstream. the way was barred by cliffs.
But heading back downstream a short way, we spotted the tree with spikes. We had to climb up to it.
And here is the tree with spikes –
It’s a bit hard to see the spikes in the photo, but they extend up the tree a bit more than a metre. They did not look too old. Probably not more than 20 or 30 years old? I wonder who put them in and why?
It was not too hard to climb up the spikes, and then carefully span the rather large gap to the ledge. Descending may be trickier – and a rope or tape may be useful.
One up, we soon climbed up to the die ridge, where there were great views of Victoria Brook gorge.
Not long before – we had been on the far side on another walk.
We had lunch, and then continued up to the Odin Head fire road.
Another orchid, not quite open. –
On the drive back down the Mountains, we continued our search for Heritage Horse Troughs. This one is on the (closed off) old road at Leura Cascades –
