I joined Bob and Doug on a nice day of canyoning in Hat Hill Canyon at Blackheath. It was a fine warm day – and a cool canyon was a great place to be in.
Doug parked at the turn-off to Hat Hill Ridge, and we then walked back to the track that goes to the start of the canyon. We thought it best to do the road walk first – in the cooler conditions. This was a sensible thing to do – as it was much hotter later on.
It was then a short walk down the ridge and along their creek to the start of the first of three constrictions. The first is the shortest.
There was a nice flow of water in the creek.
And about 20 minutes later, we were at the start of the second constriction. On the way we had passed another party – Tim and his friend.
This constriction is longer and has some awkward obstacles.
Then it is a much longer walk, perhaps 40 minutes, down to the start of the third constriction. There were quite a few more obstacles to clamber over or around – such as boulders and logs.
The third constriction is the longest of the three and the best in terms of canyon formation. But it is the easiest to get through.
Below the constriction, we exited via a side gully on the true right. I spotted some nice coral fungi –
Clavulinopsis sulcata
We visited a nice waterfall with a double arch.
And from there we followed series of ledges with a bit of easy scrambling to get onto the Hat Hill Ridge. Part way up we found shady place to have lunch.
And then we had a nice walk back to Doug’s car.
