This was a walk organised by a friend, Diana. She is a poet (see her blog here) and is interested in the aboriginal and early European history of parts of the Blue Mountains and wanted to see some of the land between the Catholic Bushwalking Club’s “Shack” on Scotts Main Range and Carlons Farm in Megalong Valley. I was quite familiar with this country and was very happy to accompany her on the walk. Also – many thanks to Brian, from the Springwood Bushwalking Club for driving us out to The Shack.
We started on the 9th of March on the long drive, first to Shooters Hill, near Oberon, and then to Yerranderie and then a fair way further through Byrnes Gap and along Scotts Main Range to The Shack on New Yards Ridge, just off Scotts Main Range. We arrived at The Shack in the late afternoon.
The next morning, we used the Shack as a base. Diana and Brian headed down to the Kowmung River on a daywalk via the Old Cedar Road from Bran Jan Hill. I went by myself to the Kowmung, via New Yards Ridge. This is a very fast and easy route. The ridge is quite open and you can follow a faint track all the way to the river. I would have liked to take a few photos of the Kowmung – a very beautiful river, but I had forgotten to pack my camera when I left home. I would have to make do with a few snaps taken with my phone.
Nearby was a great swimming hole and I enjoyed a few swims before setting back up the ridge for the Shack.
The next morning, we farewelled Brian, who set out for the long drive back, while we shouldered our packs and set off for the Cookem Highway.
On the way we spotted some nice orchids and enjoyed the views from the Kowmung Lookout, before camping.
The next day, we walked to Medlow Gap and camped at Lake Birrell. It rained overnight and into the next morning, so we retreated into the rather dilapidated hut for breakfast. That morning we walked along the road from Medlow Gap to just below Carlon Head and then down the track to the Dunphy Camp Ground at Carlons Farm, where Diana had parked her car.
Thanks to Diana for inviting me on the walk.
More photos of the walk (but only taken by phone!) are on my website here.