This was an interesting and very pleasant walk with Bob on two of the ridges above the upper Grose Valley. We had two main objectives – one was to visit the old coal mine near Jinki Creek, and the other was to look at the Lost Pillar – a spectacular detached pinnacle at Dalpura Head. Neither of us had been to the coal mine and Bob had not seen the pinnacle before. As well, it was forecast to get to a temperature of 30° in Sydney that day, and the temperature forecast for Katoomba was only 22°.
The Lost Pillar
Another secondary objective was to look at wild flowers. This started at the first hill on Jinki Ridge – it was covered with small Caladenia Orchids.
It was a pleasant walk out along the ridge.
Just below the first pagodas on Jinki Ridge, we turned off and followed a side gully down to Jinki Creek. Then we walked downstream. Further down, where the creekbed entered rainforest, we found the signs of an old benched track.
This track was used to provide access to the coal mine. This mine dates back to around 1880.
The track crossed to the true right near the Grose cliffs and left the creek. There was one tricky traverse, then we reached the mine.
A lot of water was flowing out. The water is from the Canyon Colliery mine that has linked to this tunnel.
We hone returned up the old track, and headed up an easy ridge back to the top. On the way we saw these nice fungi –
We then picked up the Dalpura exit track, which we followed down to the end of the canyon.
Then we crossed Dalpura Creek and start climbing up the other side. This is easy to do.
Our route was through this cave and then up an easy ramp.
We then climbed out of the ramp, onto a lookout overlooking the Grose Valley. The views were fantastic but it was sad to see so much fire damage.
We next traverse along the top of the cliffline, heading east.
Just past a corner, we could look down (carefully!) and see the Lost Pillar below. There were some bolts nearby used by rock climbers.
WE then climbed down a small but steep gully to get a better view. I had been here before and knew there was a better view to be had. It took a bit of scrambling to get to some nice lookouts. We had lunch in the shade at this one –
The Lost Pillar, was so named by climbers after the Lost Arrow pinnacle in Yosemite. They established a climb up the nearest arête called the “Wafer Thin Fin”.
The cliffs and valleys nearby are also spectacular.
We then left our lookouts and started out along the faint climbers track back to the Bell Road.
This is a great ridge with some magnificent views and some pagoda sections.
And more Caladenia Orchids on the last part –
