Blue Gum Forest loop tips

[pikelet85]

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone has some tips about what the best track is to take to Blue Gum Forest in the Blue Mountains? What's the most scenic? a

Another thing I need to consider is that I'm planning this trip with my parents, who although are fit, are in their 60s and I would prefer to take them the easiest way out of the valley. Which is the gentlest ascent out of the valley?

It would also be great to do a loop - in one way and out another. Would love some tips!

Cheers

[kanangra]

Sorry but there is no easy way out. It's all steeply uphill.

K

[GPSGuided]

Perry's Lookdown route is pretty steep but shorter. Govetts Leap I understand is slightly gentler (long long long time since I last walked that one) but is significantly further away. As said, the elevation changes are similar at around 600m. If your parents are fit at 60s, they should be able to handle that 600m climb back, just take it easy on them with plenty of rests. In terms of being scenic, I'd say the loop down Govetts Leap and around to the Grand Canyon would have been great. But the bushfire of last year (or was it this year) has temporarily closed that loop. Check NPWS' site for the latest closure status.

[jonnosan]

I believe the Govett's Leap section is still open, as is Perry's, and Da Faur Head to Lockleys Pylon, the current closures are the Mt Vic and Peirces Pass tracks

[DaveNoble]

Its only the section of the Grose River upstream of Blue Gum Forest that was burnt and still closed.

That leaves 5 routes to Blue Gum -

Perrys Lookdown - probably the most direct route, a good but steep track. Scenic at the top.

Govetts Leap to Junction Rock - steep down and up - almost to Junction Rock, but very scenic
Evans Lookout - Grand Canyon Track - Beauchamp Falls - Junction Rock - very scenic, not as steep as Govetts Leap
Evans Lookout - Horsetrack - Junction Rock - not as scenic, but less steep

These route merge at Junction Rock and then its another hour or so to Blue Gum - with a bit of up and down

Lockleys Pylon - scenic (more scenic than Perrys Lookdown) and quite steep, an hour so longer than Perrys Lookdown.

If camping in the valley - then camp at Accacia Flat- about 10 minutes walk from Blue Gum Forest (in the Govetts Leap direction), and you can get good water from a small side creek another 5 minutes walk up the valley. This creek has no pollution and does not need to be treated. Accacia Flat is a fuel stove only site.

Dave

[alex_lef]

Hi Guys,

I know this thread is a month old, but my partner and I are planning on doing the Grand Canyon circuit tomorrow. It's our first (ever!) bushwalk - we're starting our preparations for the Inca Trail in Peru in December and had this track recommended by a hiking friend.

I just checked the NPWS and it says the only track that remains closed for safety assessment is the Mt Banks walking and cycling track. I hope this is true or it'll be a big day of driving tomorrow

I'll let you know how it goes!
Alex

[Lindsay]

Hi Guys,

I know this thread is a month old, but my partner and I are planning on doing the Grand Canyon circuit tomorrow. It's our first (ever!) bushwalk - we're starting our preparations for the Inca Trail in Peru in December and had this track recommended by a hiking friend.

I just checked the NPWS and it says the only track that remains closed for safety assessment is the Mt Banks walking and cycling track. I hope this is true or it'll be a big day of driving tomorrow

I'll let you know how it goes!
Alex

Hi Alex, if you can walk the Grand Canyon track the the Inca Trail will pose no problems at all (as long as you acclimatise first)

[alex_lef]

The walk was gorgeous. We started at the carpark end and finished up the staircase to Evans Lookout. What a view to reward the hard work! We wondered why everyone was doing the circuit in the opposite direction to us and we figured it out half way up the stairs at the end
Is the Inca trail really no harder than that? I was panicking yesterday thinking that if we were puffed up those stairs we'd be stuffed up the trail for four days!

[Lindsay]

As far as the actual terrain goes, while the IT can be steep and rough underfoot, most walks into and out of valleys in the Blue Mountains are much harder. The main issue is acclimatisation, so spend a few days in country getting used to the altitude and you should have no problems. Enjoy

[alex_lef]

We work our way "up" to Cusco over a week and have two full days there before we leave.
Thanks for the promising news!

[neil_fahey]

alex_lef: You'll be fine. Acclimatisation is definitely the main thing. From there it's all mindset, really. It's definitely not easy, but the daily walking distance isn't huge.

I'm considering doing the Blue Gum Forest loop with my lady. It would be her first overnight hike and will be in late January. I'm starting to reconsider after reading this. She found the ascent out of The Canyon pretty challenging and it sounds like that's nothing compared to this. I'd also definitely need to carry the extra sleeping bag/mat/food. :/

Anyone got any suggestions for an alternative overnighter in the Blueys that would compare?

[DarrenM]

Hi Neil,

What about a cruisey out and back for the night at Lockley's Pylon? If Bluegum forest is a must....well you can look down from above.

It's a great speccy area providing the weather isn't too hot or windy and is nice to throw some good food and wine in and soak up the views. I prefer the fringe seasons out that way but if daily max temps are forecast in the mid 20's it can be wonderful.

A few pics can be found here - http://djm74.blogspot.com.au/2013/04/lo ... Gw1S7lxncs

[neil_fahey]

Hi Darren, thanks for the reply! That looks like an awesome spot! I'm a little concerned that it might be too hot in late Jan, but maybe we can round up a couple of options now and decide closer to the time, depending on weather.

[Champion_Munch]

Hi Neil,

RE: the lockley pylon option, definitely worth checking temps in advance. I did the walk (as a day trip) last December and it was stinking hot (it is all exposed, so don't expect any shade), even starting after 3pm. Also not sure about how common this is but we were plagued by hordes of flies near the pylon... some of the blue mountain regulars here will be able to confirm if we were just particularly unlucky the time that we went?

Of course the views are spectacular and I would imagine that sunset/sunrise would be incredible from that spot. Other than the heat a very easy walk out and back, if not heading down to the blue gum forest. The drive out there is a dirt road and a bit of a rock n roll ride if you're in a 2WD.

Cheers,
Munch

[neil_fahey]

Hey Munch, thanks for your feedback. Sounds like it might be just as bad an idea as the Blue Gum Forest if the mercury hits more than 30. Hrmmmm...

If anyone else has a third suggestion, I'd be hugely grateful!

[DaveNoble]

I summer - in the Blue Mts, it can be good to do a short walk down to a creek/river that offers nice camping and a good swimming hole. There are lots of places such as Erskine Ck, or Canoe Ck - Col junction that could be worth checking out.

Dave

[tom_brennan]

Bob Turners Track is another (very) short walk in to the Colo River, usually nice camping. I remember bailing to there one 40 degree weekend in October - we didn't walk out until 5 on the Sunday.

Depends on how long/hard you want to make the walk, but if the temps are high, 600m climbs (eg from Blue Gum) in the Bluies aren't much fun.

[neil_fahey]

Thanks Dave... That might even be the go. The ascent will be more doable without the extra km's attached. Erskine Creek looks good but couldn't find much on Google about Canoe Creek.

[neil_fahey]

Another reply while I was writing my last one... Thanks Tom! I'll check out Bob Turners as well.

[tom_brennan]

Just keep in mind that with the exception of Bob Turners, these aren't tourist tracks, so can be rough, steep or difficult to find. So if your lady hasn't done any off track walking, they could be rather challenging. There are some notes on all of these walks (Erskine Creek, Canoe Creek, Bob Turners) on my website.

[neil_fahey]

Thanks Tom... She's okay with rough and steep (I made her climb Sugarloaf Peak in Cathedral Range State Park so that I could propose haha), and I can handle the navigation. I was more concerned with the long hot ascent on the way back from Blue Gum Forest. I've been checking out your website. It's an awesome resource!