This was a very pleasant photographic trip with David Hufton to two places where we wanted to photograph – Lockleys Pylon, overlooking the Grose Valley and then Blue Gum Forest.
We walked out to the Pylon, in the afternoon of the first day. This takes about an hour from the carpark on the Mt Hay Road. At the pylon, we chose two of the small campcaves to spend the night. There are four of these small caves on the east side of the pylon and they provide good shelter. One or two of them have had camp fires, but on the heath of the Pylon, firewood is scarce and it is better here to use a fuel stove (and you need one for camping at Acacia Flat near Blue Gum Forest anyway).
We then explored the area with our cameras. The lighting was not too bad – especially later in the afternoon – during the golden hour. Its a very scenic spot – with great views in most directions – from the northeast – down through the Grose Gorge to Mt Hay, to the North west to the wide part of the Grose Valley and the towering cliffs of Mt Banks. The Valley of Govetts Creek lies to the west and nearby to the southwest is the high waterfall at the end of Fortress Creek Canyon.
After sunset, we retired to our caves to cook dinner and spend the night. Next morning, we were up early for sunrise. And this provided more photographic opportunities.
We then packed up and walked down the steep track to Blue Gum Forest. We first went to Acacia Flat to set up our shelter and have lunch. Then off to collect clean drinking water from a small creek a short way up Govetts Creek valley.
We then spent the afternoon in Blue Gum Forest. What a magnificent place it is with all the Blue Gum trees.
Back at Acacia Flat, we encountered a large and noisy school group. Fortunately, they moved to the other campsite a short distance away. Next morning the school group, packed up and departed before 7 am and returned the way they had come – up Govetts Creek. It was surprising that they had not even bothered to look at Blue Gum Forest – such a short distance from their campsite!
We did walk up into Blue Gum Forest. The lighting was pretty dull. I had been hoping for some valley mist with sunlight filtering through. Not this time. We also spent some time photographing the Grose River.
We then headed back up to Lockleys Pylon and back to David’s car. This had been a very pleasant excursion.
More photos are online on my website.