The October Long weekend is a traditional time to visit the beautiful Kowmung River which flows through the heart of the Southern Blue Mountains Wilderness. It is also the time for the PBT – the “President’s Bludge Trip” organised by Sydney University Bushwalkers. This year, I had planned to do a walk with Roger along part of the Kowmung River and meet up with the PBT party on the second night.
Roger and myself travelled up on the Friday evening to camp with the SUBW party on the Boyd Plateau. Next morning, we set of early for the short drive to Kanangra Walls. The weather was not the best – rain and mist. Our plan was to walk down Gingra Creek to the Kowmung River on our first day, then on the second day – walk upstream to join the PBT party and their camp at Orange Bluff. The join them for the walk out via Brumby Ridge on the last day.
We walked fast across the Kanangra Plateau, not stopping for the usual photos since it was quite wet and very misty. Then down the pass to Kilpatrick Causeway and along to Crafts Walls. At the far end of the Walls we stopped for a breather in a small cave – a good refuge from the rain.
We then walked to Pages Pinnacle, and down the quite open ridge to Gingra Creek.
Roger at Pages Pinnacle
Just downstream from where we met the creek there is a small gorge. We bypassed this via the old Cedar Road, which can still be seen, on the true right bank.
The remnants of the old Cedar Road
The rest of Gingra Creek is very nice walking, all the way to the Kowmung. It is an incredibly beautiful creek, but had suffered a lot in the recent drought. In many places the creek was not flowing (on the surface – there would be underground flow) and the pools were quite low. The non flowing sections of the creek were quite slippery due to the rain – so care was constantly needed.
On the way downstream, we passed a few nice small campsites and several large ones nearer to the Kowmung junction.
Later in the afternoon, we reached the Kowmung, and then set up camp short way back up Gingra Creek on a nice grassy flat.
Overnight the weather improved, as forecast, and the rest of the long weekend was very fine. Our second day was a magnificent walk along the Kowmung River. Most of there way is easy walking on open grassy banks, but there are short sections where the banks are steep and scrubby, and small rifts in the riverbed that need to be negotiated. There are no major obstacles however, as long as you choose the right bank to walk along. It is desirable to cross the river at times.
Also, on our way upstream, we passed many deep enticing pools. The water was a bit cool however, and we had affair way to walk. We saw a number of snakes and goannas. The birdlife was extra prolific – there was a constant serenade of bird calls all along the river. More, I think, than I have heard on other trips. Perhaps birds have retreated here due to the drought?
We soon reached Ferny Flat or Hughes Opening, and then some very fast walking to the bottom of Roots Ridge.
The last section from Roots Ridge to Orange Bluff is one of the nicest on the whole Kowmung. Grassy flats, but also small and large bluffs overlooking crystal clear pools. Between the pools are sparkling rapids.
We reached Orange Bluff quite early in the afternoon, and soon met up with the SUBW party. We spent the east of the afternoon relaxing and talking. Many of the SUBW walkers were enjoying a game of volleyball.
At one time the ball disappeared down a wombat hole. Luckily, Julia could squeeze down and retrieve it.
That evening we joined in the campfire songs around the fire.
For Roger and myself, the last day was our easiest day, but for the SUBW party, it was their hardest day. It began with a steep climb up to Brumby Mountain, then another climb to Gingra Range.
After regrouping, we walked to the shade of the Coal Seam Cave for lunch. That was followed with the short walk across the Kanangra Plateau.
This time, we did stop for some photos. The views had improved somewhat. This was a great weekend in the bush.
