Jones Creek and Paul’s Pass tracks

[mikeb]

Hi
Just wondering whether anyone knows anything about or has walked these tracks in Morton NP, east of Ettrema Gorge. They show on NSW topo maps and google maps but I can’t find any trip reports or track notes relating to them.
Cheers
Mike

[Warin]

Peter's or Paul's? If Paul's then
https://www.adventureswithm.com/2018/04 ... old_women/

[mikeb]

Ha ha - confused my disciples. Have corrected my query.

I have also now found some old SBW Magazine trip reports mentioning Paul’s Pass. Nothing much about Jones Creek - looks like there was a flying fox to access the mine...

http://sbw.ozultimate.com/wiki/198805

http://sbw.ozultimate.com/wiki/199007

Cheers

Mike

[mikeb]

More about the history of the Jones Creek mine:

https://www.mindat.org/loc-270026.html

http://www.bushwalkingnsw.org.au/bushwa ... 79-p24.pdf

https://archivesonline.uow.edu.au/assets/download/60782

https://www.colongwilderness.org.au/arc ... trem99.htm

It could easily have been another Bungonia Gorge-like situation, with a mine corrupting an otherwise pristine wilderness area.
Mike

[clarence]

The entrance to the track changed about 15 years ago when a small subdivision went in near Sassafras.

My guess is the NPWS liked it this way, as it made it more difficult for the yobbos to get in.

The first part of the track was very easy going (open country anyway for lots of it).

After several km it became less distinct. I suspect the majority of it is overgrown or impossible to find now- especially in the northern part. Even 15 years ago the N end was partially overgrown and impassable to vehicles.

This is some of the best wilderness walking country anywhere.

Pauls Pass was indeed named after Paul Howard. A mate of mine did a few walks with him, including the first recorded traverse of Hinchinbrook Island in 1974.

The pass is a bit sketchy, but it is many years since I did it. Allows a round trip from Ettrema to Possibility Point (descending via one of the creeks a few km to the N of Possibility Point)

Jones Creek is one of the absolute "must visit" locations.

It is a solid return day walk from Ettrema to the old mine and back. Tingha Falls are great. Very light foot pad for parts of the creek.

For Jones Creek, the other option is to come in from the top, and abseil around the falls (the 70m approx descent can be done in several scrubby pitches on the SW side).

Back in the 70s it was possible to go down the old ladders in the cliff on the NE side of the cliffline and follow a track down to the mine.

There was still very active prospecting/exploratory mining going on these back then. There were major conflicts between the leaseholders and bushwalking/conservation community in the 70s. The footings of the old winch/flying fox were on the NE side of the valley above the cliff.

Around the mine and falls the rock faces are amazing- green-blue staining in the rock faces from the copper and silver oxides leaching out.

I'll find a photo or two and post them.

Heaps of other places to see in that area generally.

Clarence

Clarence