Varying K2K to spend a night on Mt Solitary

[bushtucker]

Hi all,

Does anyone know if it is possible to start the classic K2K at Kanangra but include Mt Solitary for a night ? With possibility of finishing at Wentworth falls or Katoomba.

Thanks
Dan

[Allchin09]

Getting from Kanangra to Mt Solitary wouldn't be too difficult if it wasn't for the restricted area around Lake Burragorang getting in the way. From Medlow gap a firetrail heads East around the bottom of Solitary allowing access to the Col on the Eastern end of the landform. However, those who are caught in this area face up to a $44000 fine. Not sure if they would ever impose the full amount if caught walkong through though. Pass through at your own risk.

[Allchin09]

A longer but legal possibly would be to climb up onto Narrow Neck as per usual, but drop down the Golden Stairs at the Katoomba end which leads straight onto the Fedral pass and up over Mt Solitary. From there you the the option of continuing down the other side and out to either Wentworth Falls via the Kings Tableland (Kadumba pass) or up through the valley before climbing to Leura or Katoomba to finish. This would however from memory this would add a good 30 or more Kms to the 45 of the standard K2K.

[DaveNoble]

And you could cut off a bit by using Walls Pass on Narrow Neck - dropping down to Cedar Ck and then climbing up to the saddle between Solitary and the Ruined Castle. However the descent of Walls Pass is not that straightforward (its perhaps easier to ascend).

Another possibility is to walk around the fire trail from Medlow Gap for a few kms, and drop into Cedar Ck, cross it and up onto Cedar Ridge and then climb Solitary by several possible routes. This would avoid the $44k fine.

But really - it is much easier to do two separate trips or go via Golden Stairs and follow tracks and fire roads all the way.

Dave

Dave