access to Grassy Hill Fire Trail (colo)?

[jonnosan]

Hi

I am looking at track notes & reports for walks to Canoe Creek which all describe driving down the Grassy Hill Fire Trail.

But my topo (memory-maps 2012) shows a locked gate right on the Putty Road turnoff.

Can anyone confirm if it is still possible to drive down Grassy Hill FT? I tried calling NPWS but got no answer...

[Bron]

Curious, there wasn't one when I did this walk about 12 months ago and I haven't noticed a gate when going past up the putty road

There is a gate now on the road in from Stoney waterholes which has only been installed about a year ago so its possible a few other gates were installed at the same time.
I have also heard of a gate blocking access to the start of the T3 track (off Sams Way), I am going to check this out very soon.

A shame you posted this just now - I was up at Bob Turners track yesterday and could have checked out access for canoe ck at the same time.

regards
Bron

[tom_brennan]

I'd be very surprised if the Grassy Hill FT is closed. It's not listed on
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/Natio ... osure.aspx
and the current barrier is at the wilderness boundary. I'd say it's just a problem with Memory Maps (are you sure it's a locked gate? since the LPI topo shows a sliprail, not a locked gate or barrier)

T3 Fire Trail is open as of 3 weeks ago.

[FatCanyoner]

I was out that way a month or two back. Grassy Hill FT is definitely open, and still in good condition after being graded about a year back. 2wd friendly all the way.
It was closed for a few months last winter when they graded it, but I'm not aware of any closures since. Check the NPWS website. If it's not listed there you should be fine.

[jonnosan]

I got hold of Richmond NPWS, the person I spoke to was a bit hazy about exactly where the locked gate was but confirmed it is not closed off at putty road.

BTW the memory maps data is the NSW lands dept 1:25K data, but it is a bit more recent then the "3rd edition" maps. Well it used to be identical, then there was an update in Dec. I assume the paper maps will eventually catch up (4th edition?). A screen shot is attached, it definately says "locked" but I will assume it's just one of those errors.

Locked Gate as shown on Grassy Hill Track

Thanks for the tip re being 2WD friendly - I was thinking I would have to take my patrol out, which is very very thirsty.

[tom_brennan]

Does Memory Map also have a locked gate at the wilderness boundary?

It's always been 2wd accessible - there's only one section that's been problematic, a rock shelf that low slung vehicles bottom out on. I assume that's been (temporarily!) fixed.

[jonnosan]

There's no wilderness area boundary shown, only the Wollemi National Park boundary (on Putty Road). But the only gate (locked or otherwise) is the one right at Putty Road.

[michael_p]

BTW the memory maps data is the NSW lands dept 1:25K data, but it is a bit more recent then the "3rd edition" maps. Well it used to be identical, then there was an update in Dec. I assume the paper maps will eventually catch up (4th edition?). A screen shot is attached, it definately says "locked" but I will assume it's just one of those errors.
[attachment=0]grassy_hill_track.png[/attachmen

Interestingly the NSW SIX maps show a gate at the beginning of the fire trail as well. You have to zoom in close but it is there marked on the map.

[jonnosan]

My understanding is the NSW SIX data is where the 1:25K topos are derived from (whether paper based, or the version in Memory Maps). So not surprised the error is in there. Assuming it is an error of course - will find out this weekend, and confirm back here either way...

[jonnosan]

For completeness sake- I can confirm that there was a gate right at the start of the fire trail, but it was open. I assume it would only be closed & locked if the fire trail is closed.

And the permanently locked gate (at the start of the wilderness area) is right where the fire trail ends on my topo.

Also - Canoe creek is awesome, and the Colo was very cold, I am keen to go back again in summer.

[michael_p]

Thanks jonnosan for clearing this up.

Cheers,
Michael.

[jrg]

While we are on fire trails near the Colo:

I'm thinking of doing the Crawford's Lookout track in the next month or so. Is the Culoul Range fire trail suitable for 2WDs? I don't want to take my car in there if it's not suitable to get down to the carpark.

[DarrenM]

I have driven down with 2wd no problem but not recently.