Mt Hay Canyon

Mt Hay Canyon is a relatively short canyon – but it has remained a classic canyon. It packs a lot in its short length. This essay will mainly focus on some of its history. The creek that the canyon is in is marked as “Rocky Points Ravine” on the official map. An early bushwalkers sketch map called it “Many Caverns Creek” – a name I think was due to Marie Byles. She may have visited the upper part of the creek but it is very unlikely that she went through the canyon section.

Jan on the second abseil of the main drop

In the 1950’s members of the Catholic Bushwalking Club were exploring around the base of Butterbox Point, near the bottom of the canyon. It is likely that the tried to go up the creek from below. One of these explorers – Jim Barrett even pushed a rock climb up Butterbox Point. This is probably different to the rock climbing exit that canyoners use today.

Disco on the first abseil of the main drop

The first party through the canyon was probably one led by Peter Melhuish from the Sydney Technical College Bushwalkers (Now known as University of NSW Outdoors Club). This was in the early 1950’s. A few years later members of the Catholic Bushwalkers returned to the area and made another descent.  By the early 1960’s, it was a fairly common trip in the SUBW program. People used to walk out from Leura along the track to Mt Hay, then drop into the creek, abseil down the canyon and then go to Blue Gum Forest to camp. The next day they would climb out via probably Blackheath. A good two day trip.

My first visit to the canyon was with Springwood Bushwalkers back in the mid 70’s. There was now a fire road out to near Mt Hay. We dropped into the creek high up, went through the canyon, down the creek to the Grose River and then out via Lockleys Pylon track. A long day – but a great canyoning experience.

Things changed in around 1977. First, Nic Bendeli (from UNSW club) found a quick way into the canyon using a side creek near the carpark at the end of the road. Its just “abseil, abseil, abseil and you are down” We found the creek but I think on that trip – with Tom Williams in the party, we found scrambling routes down all the drops and didn’t have to abseil (now I do three abseils!).

Stacey abseiling down the small entrance side creek

It was on that same trip that Tom led us up a new way out via Butterbox Point. This is the route that is mainly used these days as the exit.

I was with Stacey, Disco and Jan last Sunday for a visit to the canyon. Saturday had been a beautiful day. Rain was forecast for late morning on Sunday. We met up at at cafe in Leura and discussed options. We decided to go for the canyon – and move quickly (despite a late-ish start).

Our trip was a good one. The canyon was in good condition – with a fair bit of water – but not a dangerous level. We made good time through the canyon and quickly headed to the exit route. It was under the cliffs when rain did hit. But we pressed on to the rock climbing section. Out with the rope and a few quick-draws and up we went. The rock was wet and slippery but it was not too difficult. Just around the corner was a nice dry cave – a good place to have a very late lunch. There was also a supply of dry fire wood – so we could nicely warm up. We were in no hurry and spent a lot of time by the fire.

Later when we returned to the car we noticed a ute nearby. On the dashboard was a note saying “Butterbox, 3 Dec, 2 persons”. Disco realised “3 Dec” was the day before! So we thought it a good idea to let the local police know about the car and that there might be an overdue party. It turns out they were overdue and were found and rescued the next day. Lucky they left that note!

Stacey on the climb out

More photos on my website here.