This was a pleasant day in the Blue Mountains visiting some canyons. In the party was Bob, Doug and myself.
With the bushfires, a very small number of canyons were open. So our choices were severely limited. Grand Canyon had recently reopened – so that was our number once choice. But Bob was keen to check out the “Whores Bed” near the Devils Hole at Katoomba. And that was where we stopped off first.
We followed the track to the Devils Hole, and part way down, turned off and followed a faint pad to a gully next to it. It went down to the start of the Whores Bed. I would not class this gully a canyon. It is too short and too open. I would class it asa “gulch”.
We completed two short abseils. These took us down into an amphitheatre. Then we left the creekbed, and climbed to the left and found the belay point for the final, double rope abseil.
This took us to the bottom of the cliffs, and it wa short simple walk to the Devils Hole. From there it was a short walk up the Devils Hole back to Bob’s car. on the way up, we detoured short way to a nice lookout.
As canyons go, it is pretty poor. The Devils Hole as a feature is far more impressive.
We then proceeded to Evans Lookout Road at Blackheath, and did a quick trip through the Grand Canyon. The water level was quite high and conditions in the canyon were really nice. Recent rain seemed to have refreshed it.
After the canyon, we walked out via Evans Lookout. The canyon itself showed no sign of any bushfire damage. It seemed unchanged.
A few logs may have moved a bit due to the floods. That was all. Lower down the creek, it was mainly unchanged except for the odd burnt log that had fallen in. Bushfire damage was not really apparent until close to Evans Lookout. And then it was burnt out nearby all the way back to Bob’s car parked at the track down Neates Glen.
We then headed down the mountains and stopped for lunch at the Conservation Hut at Wentworth Falls. I had changed and was not keen on anther canyon, but Bob and Doug were keen to visit Empress Canyon. While they did the canyon, I walked down to the base of Empress Falls.
A large commercial party was in the process of abseiling down the falls. Multiple ropes had been set up. It was a bit of a circus.
Slowly all the clients had descended and this allowed Bob and Doug to descend. Then a short walk back to the car.
