by juju » Thu 07 Oct, 2010 12:53 pm
HI Chris, was down there the week before last, just before they declared the park open again - we drove into Long Gully Wed 22nd and we were astounded at the amount of debri that had been cleared from the road. Some big trees fell across the road, it must have been a mess a week before. Two days later we walked into Cooyoyo Creek camp (where we were surprised to find a toilet) via Kalianna Ridge. there was plenty of water in the creek. The following day we went into Monolith Valley to Seven gods and found water all along the way, small creeks and drips from overhangs. Of course the storms could have topped things up a bit.
We had the place to ourselves the first night (Friday) but then Saturday about 10 people arrived and Sunday on the way out these were replaced with 10 more - (school holidays). The sketch map doesn't really help much with info on water.
It still never ceases to amaze me now people will have their campfires no matter what the price. We had some heavy winds while at Cooyoyo and one party got a huge blaze going (with hardly a dead stick in sight), even though the place has been over camped and needs some tlc.
It would be quite a walk from Hidden Valley (camping at Styles Creek, where I've read ther is water)) to The Castle. Going by the easily found track/route from The Castle to Seven Gods and the amount of people using the park I reckon it would be easily navigable.
The sketch map shows many more tracks than the toppo of course eg. one between Mt Owen and Mt Cole. There were dozens of tracks going across Nibelung Pass to Owen. NParks are attempting to get people to use one route.
If you stay at Cooyoyo (high on a cliff), make sure you see the view from the lookout just east of the camp. Julie
We'll get fit on the way.