Kanangra Walls-Cottage Rock: first-timer questions

[oscarian]

Hi,

I am completely new to bushwalking. I am looking to do a bike trip to Kanangra Walls soon; I hope to wake up early in the morning (say 5:30am), do a short walk to Cottage Rock, before getting on my bike and heading back to Lithgow.

Here's a map of the route I wish to take: http://bushwalking.dnsalias.net/bushwal ... k60Map.gif

Could I get some help with how I should read this map? I roughly know that I have to follow the green trail (I think), but may I know what the blue and red lines mean?

Also, when they say 9km here: http://bushwalking.dnsalias.net/bushwal ... alk60.html, does it mean 9km to cottage rock and back again? Or is it 9km there, and then 9km back?

Lastly, any important things that I would have to bring? I have my camping equipment and I know I'd have to bring food/water/comfortable shoes for the walk, but I'm not sure if I need maps (wondering if the track notes alone would suffice for this walk).

Much thanks in advance!

[Wollemi]

Motorbike or bicycle?

Yes, you need to walk the green line (that is overlaid on the black dashed line).

The red lines are cliff edges, with the many 'tails' pointing on the downhill side.
The cliffs at Kanangra are sheer, unfenced, and exceed 100m in height. They also have scrub in many places up to the edge.

The blue lines are creeks. The author of that diagram has kindly also put in blue arrows, showing which way the water flows.
The water in the creeks distant from the walking tracks is good to drink. The creeks often have massive nick-points, ie., waterfalls. I tell you this for don't-fall-over value, although they are magnificent to see.

There is a full water tank at Kanangra Walls, and the prominent camping group a couple of km before it.

It is 9km return.

http://ozultimate.com/bushwalking/walk.php?nid=717

[DaveNoble]

There is also water in a drip fed container in the Coal Seam Cave - about 5 minutes before the turn off to Cottage Rock.

Dave

[oscarian]

Thanks for all the help! I'll be doing it by bicycle; would it be safe to lock my bike in the carpark with my clothes and camping equipment left unattended (I'll bring my valuables along)? There doesn't seem to be any way I can lug my two pannier bags in with me on the walk...

[DaveNoble]

You could do this or hide you bike and gear in the scrub somewhere nearby. Carrying a bike lock is heavy.

Dave

[FatCanyoner]

I'm not sure if I need maps (wondering if the track notes alone would suffice for this walk.

You should always carry an appropriate topographic map when bushwalking, as well as a compass. Make sure you understand how to read the map as well! While the track you hope to follow is well worn, it can be indistinct and confusing in places, and there are false tracks around. A bloke died a few years back in a similar area (out near Mt Cloudmaker) because he was relying solely on track notes and a sketch map.

You will find that experienced walkers, even in areas they know well, still carry a map in their pack just in case. It is surprisingly wild country out there, as you will discover. That's what makes it so magical to walk through. But it also makes it potentially dangerous for the unprepared.

P.S. Make sure you sit on the stone throne (if it's still there) on top of Cottage Rock (see my avatar).

[oscarian]

Thanks for the tip! May I know where can I buy topo maps?

Stone throne looks awesome!

[FatCanyoner]

Good outdoor stores should sell them (I'm not sure where you live). You can also buy them online.

[Marwood]

I haven't been up that way since last summer, so I've no idea what the dirt/gravel road to KW is like at the moment. Probably dry, dusty, and rutted. Carrying a couple of extra spare tubes for the bike may be a good idea.

I found that the track was mostly pretty easy to follow the first time I went that way last year. But there's a couple of places on the walk where I had trouble the first time out. The first of these was finding the turnoff from the track along K Walls onto the track over Maxwell Top that continues to Cottage Rock - the branch is near to where it says "Great Views" on the sketch map. The track branches roughly south from a rock platform - one of many - at this point, and it isn't that obvious. But if you look carefully you should find it. The other troublesome point for me was the branch off the track to Cottage Rock when you get past the Coal Seam Cave. This turn off is shown just before "Cottage Rock" on the sketch map. The main track leaves the ridgeline and sidles around the north-eastern side of Cottage Rock before continuing on down towards the Kowmung. The side track to Cottage Rock is a somewhat indistinct footpad that goes along the ridgeline, so keep a careful watch to your right as you head along the main track and you should spy it. Otherwise you can do what I did the first time out, after missing the turnoff and carrying on a ways I spied the Cottage Rock above me and scrambled up to it.

Note that you'll need to get both the Kanangra (8930-3S) and the Yerranderie (8929-4N) topo map sheets to cover the whole walk.

[tom_brennan]

I am completely new to bushwalking.

Oscarian, while from a bushwalker’s perspective, it is not a difficult walk to Cottage Rock, if you’ve never been bushwalking before, you may find the navigation challenging. Once you are on the Kanangra plateau, you are in the wilderness. There are no signs, and tracks are pretty vague in places.

I’d suggest you take the map and compass, though it sounds like you need to learn to use them as well. It would probably be best if you did the walk with someone else – two heads are usually better than one in terms of working out where you are/what to do.

You can buy maps from the Lands Department in the city or Bathurst, or online

I would hide my bike/gear in the bushes – yes you can lock your bike up, but it’s hard to lock gear up.