The forecast was for a warm day, but not a heatwave. Blue Mountains National Park had been closed due to a catastrophic fire forecast, but that closure was due to end at midnight the day before. Bob and myself headed up the Mountains with the intention of visiting Jugglers and Grand Canyons.
However, when we headed out to Point Pilcher Road, we found a barrier closed and sign saying the National Park was closed. After an unsuccessful phone call, we drove around to Evans Lookout Road. There we found no barriers or park closed signs, so assumed the park staff had not had time to open the barrier on the other road. So we set off from the Grand Canyon carpark above Neates Glen. We were soon at the start of the canyon.
A short abseil took us to bottom of the only drop, then we continued through the canyon. Conditions were pleasant, but the lighting was rather harsh for photography. I had carried a tripod, but could only use it in a few places.
we soon arrived at the final pool and only swim. It was cold! I think the lack of rain has meant the canyon has not been flushed out with warmer water.
After the swim, we continued to end of the canyon and the tourist track. We crossed the track and took the old track to Pilcher Head to access Jugglers Canyon. After climbing up through a series of switchbacks, we reached the turn off to the canyon.
At the first small waterfall, we stopped for lunch in the cool rainforest. From there it was not far to the first abseil. With no flow, the canyon was actually dissapointing. Grand Canyon had very milted flow – but did have pools. Jugglers had a pool of water at the bottom of the first abseil and that was about all.
We soon finished the canyon and then walked out via Evans Lookout. On the walk back to the carpark, we saw a nice Treecreeper –
On the drive back down the Mountains, we stopped off at Linden to look at an unusual old structure, near the station, used to store water for steam trains.
