Our intention on this day was to visit Rocky Creek Canyon. But that is a rather short trip, so we first visited two short canyons, not too far away.
The first two canyons can be visited a number of ways. It is possible to abseil down one, and then climb up and out of the second. Or you can do, as we did this time, climb down the second and walk up the first to the base of the abseil and then back out the same way. The abseil is down a narrow slot and not that nice, and missing it also avoids a short but cold swim.
We again departed from our campsite at the Dry Canyon.
The canyon we went down first, at the start does not look that promising.
But it soon enters a collapsed section – with boulders and a drop.
It looks a long way down, but it is possible to scramble down using the boulders.
Once down, it is not very far to the end of the canyon.
We then entered a hidden valley, and started off up another tributary to the second canyon. We passed through this nice cave –
And then clambered up through some boulders.
This took us to the end of the next canyon.
We walked up through it – along a level floor, admiring its beauty.
Like the other canyon, it is not that long. We made our way down and then climbed out via the first canyon.
Then off to Rocky Creek Canyon. There were only three other cars in the carpark when we arrived. We were soon down in the canyon.
It was a hot day, and we were glad to be in the cool canyon. Conditions were nice, but the lighting was not that good for canyon photography.
After reaching the end of the canyon, we headed back the same way.
Back at the start of the canyon, we then had our lunch.
It was interesting to recall our trip back in December 1976, when Bob and myself (together with Nic Bendeli and Dave Firman) had found the canyon.
Back at the carpark, it was not very late in the day, so we decided to head to Lithgow for refreshments. After a cool drink, we visited the World War 2 – Anti Aircraft Gun Emplacements near Lithgow Hospital. These are interesting to see.
One of the concrete structures housed the range finders and predictors used for the guns.
And next, we headed up to Hassans Walls Lookout.
Then back down to Lithgow for pub meal, and later heading to Mt Wilson to camp.