Bushwalk Australia Magazine December 2024

[johnw]

In the interest of blatant self promotion I note that Matt has published the latest emag, including an article written by me on attempting to rediscover the original Bruce's Walk.
There is also a lot of other good reading in there for the holiday period, in between relaxing and getting out there.
Seasons greetings to everyone. Have a safe and enjoyable time whatever you're doing.

Usual download links, PDF, ePub etc:
https://bushwalk.com/magazine/edition/202412/

[Allchin09]

Bruces Walk is one I've also been interested in for a number of years but I've never done any of it. Well done hunting it out and writing it up.

That 1931 publication is just beautiful isn't it.

[johnw]

Thanks Alex, I had a lot of fun researching and completing the project. Yes agreed, I found the 1931 publication quite inspirational and nostalgic.

[keithj]

I've done it in both directions in 2023 & 24 - it's recovered completely post 2019/20 fires.
E -> W is easier route-finding. Lawson end has some alternative tracks and fire trails that offer a bonus out & back if you pick the wrong one. There are some tags on tress at the Lawson end in
Blackheath is 300m higher than Lawson.
There are 10 major creek crossings - 8 of them have 100-200m de/ascent.
Wenty->Medlow is mostly fire trail, exceptions include Govetts & Katoomba Creeks which have some pleasnt steeper sections.
Plenty of leeches in the overhanging ferns between Mt Hay Rd and Lawson
The alternative to the Old Pt Pilcher Track into Grand Canyon starts 100m W and heads N gently then steeply down the ridge (signposted NSL). 20m from the N end of the fire trail find a rough track that contours E, then easily descend the cairned rocky sections NE to reach the GC track. This avoids hitting your head on the slightly thin section of the OPPT.
There's a 400m (x2) side trip upstream to the base of Sapphos Leap (20m?) in Wentworth Creek.
Blackheath Cemetery has a interesting small area NE of the main section with some much older headstones.
Good water between Govetts Ck and Mt Hay Road, and also the waterfall in Grand Canyon... v. little elsewhere.

[johnw]

I've done it in both directions in 2023 & 24 - it's recovered completely post 2019/20 fires.
E -> W is easier route-finding. Lawson end has some alternative tracks and fire trails that offer a bonus out & back if you pick the wrong one. There are some tags on tress at the Lawson end in
Blackheath is 300m higher than Lawson.
There are 10 major creek crossings - 8 of them have 100-200m de/ascent.
Wenty->Medlow is mostly fire trail, exceptions include Govetts & Katoomba Creeks which have some pleasnt steeper sections.
Plenty of leeches in the overhanging ferns between Mt Hay Rd and Lawson
The alternative to the Old Pt Pilcher Track into Grand Canyon starts 100m W and heads N gently then steeply down the ridge (signposted NSL). 20m from the N end of the fire trail find a rough track that contours E, then easily descend the cairned rocky sections NE to reach the GC track. This avoids hitting your head on the slightly thin section of the OPPT.
There's a 400m (x2) side trip upstream to the base of Sapphos Leap (20m?) in Wentworth Creek.
Blackheath Cemetery has a interesting small area NE of the main section with some much older headstones.
Good water between Govetts Ck and Mt Hay Road, and also the waterfall in Grand Canyon... v. little elsewhere.

Thanks Keith and seasons greetings, some good info there. If I knew you had been walking the track fairly recently we could have co-written the article .
I've done several bushcare trips on Popes Glen Creek post fires and know that has recovered well but I haven't revisited any of Bruce's Walk as yet.
At one point I did suss out that alternate track to the OPPT. It led to an eroded old handrail descent but I wasn't sure about it so didn't explore further.
Strangely I didn't have any leech problems but it was winter and fairly dry during my explorations.
I didn't investigate the cemetery as I needed to catch a late train back from Blackheath. I'll make a point to have a look when I can.
The best bits for me were between Wentworth Falls and Lawson, and between WF and Medlow Bath.
The MB to Blackheath section is good until you exit the Grand Canyon but can get a bit boring once you hit the streets around Blackheath.
I wasn't aware of the Sapphos Leap side trip on Wentworth Creek. I simply crossed the creek and kept going, so will make a mental note for another time.
I carried enough water so it wasn't an issue for me. Yes plenty of up and down, and significant creek crossings, but I didn't count how many!
Govetts, Katoomba and Greaves are the standouts for me as they have prominent valleys/gorges/canyons but several others are quite interesting as well.

[keithj]

At one point I did suss out that alternate track to the OPPT. It led to an eroded old handrail descent but I wasn't sure about it so didn't explore further.

From the bottom of the handrail you should be able to see the GC track & hear the tourists.

Strangely I didn't have any leech problems but it was winter and fairly dry during my explorations.

I did W->E on a drizzly day - ferns wet & overhanging - a prime leech collecting day

I wasn't aware of the Sapphos Leap side trip on Wentworth Creek. I simply crossed the creek and kept going, so will make a mental note for another time.

It is also possible to bash up the NW side of the falls with difficulty & visit the weir & pumphouse at the top... and optionally exit to Darwin Ave via to old pipeline/electricty poles route.

[johnw]

At one point I did suss out that alternate track to the OPPT. It led to an eroded old handrail descent but I wasn't sure about it so didn't explore further.

From the bottom of the handrail you should be able to see the GC track & hear the tourists.

Thanks Keith, I'll give it a go another time.

I wasn't aware of the Sapphos Leap side trip on Wentworth Creek. I simply crossed the creek and kept going, so will make a mental note for another time.

It is also possible to bash up the NW side of the falls with difficulty & visit the weir & pumphouse at the top... and optionally exit to Darwin Ave via to old pipeline/electricty poles route.

Another for my to do list. I also found a trip report by Dave Noble to both Sapphos Leap and Carters Falls on his blog, going in on a scrubby route via Waratah Street.
Looks like a couple of options doing it that way. Unless wanting to do some of Bruce's Walk I'd probably make it a specific trip from the top and have a look at the weir, old pump house etc.

[rcaffin]

We were able to do most of Bruces Walk in 2005 from end to end, using a copy of the Railways brochure (price 1/-), with a few hints from Jim Smith as well.
It was good fun. There used to be some markers in places: bits of white venetian blinds nailed to trees.

Cheers
Roger

[johnw]

We were able to do most of Bruces Walk in 2005 from end to end, using a copy of the Railways brochure (price 1/-), with a few hints from Jim Smith as well.
It was good fun. There used to be some markers in places: bits of white venetian blinds nailed to trees.

Cheers
Roger

I think it was one of your posts that prompted my own adventure Roger. I didn't have a paper copy of the Railways brochure but I did download it from the national library.
The markers were still on the trees in various places. I don't know if they are made from Venetian blinds but it's possible.
Yes definitely good fun. I would be interested to compare your route with mine to see how we each approached the sections where the original track is no more.
For example I chose to go via the Grand Canyon as you obviously can't walk beneath Lake Greaves, or even within its boundaries (at least not lawfully).