Six Foot Track, Blue Mountains NSW (Warning Multiple Images)

[johnw]

This has been split from the Drinking Water topic at viewtopic.php?f=15&t=590

Thank you for your info and links WalkinTas & JohnW.
John how did you find the last day walking the reverse of the track? those steps look nasty are they? as we haven't decided which way to go, we are favouring Katoomba - J/Caves at the moment, as we are in are 55-60yr bracket.

Col,
I'm almost 54 but quite fit as I run 5km or so most days as well as bushwalking most weekends. I wouldn't say nasty, but yes it's a steep climb up through Nellies Glen to finish. Arguably though it's one of the prettiest parts of the track, through a rainforest-like environment. We've done that section of the track several times before as days trips, so were already familiar with it. I suppose effort-wise it's something similar to going up to Marions Lookout at Cradle Mtn. At least that's the nearest Tassie equivalent I can think of right now.

There are pluses and minuses for either direction. Starting from the Jenolan end you eventually get spectacular views of the escarpment, which are behind you going the other way. Going from Katoomba to Jenolan there is a huge climb up the Black Range on day 2 with almost no views to speak of. Most of the walk is on fire trail from the Coxs river campsite, and open to 4WDs and trail bikes, until about 6km from Jenolan Caves. However staying an extra day or two and visiting the caves would be a nice way to finish if you haven't been there. Last few kms are all downhill into Jenolan. Most people do the walk in that direction but I'd say the overall effort is greater than the reverse, as long as you don't mind a steep climb to finish.

Kind regards,
John W

[ColR]

Thanks John for the info, I'll pass it onto my other cronies ( ) for discussion, as we would be busing it from Katoomba it would be a late start for day one ? although it's not that far to the first campsite. The views would be nice. We are planing to hit the track on the Friday and finish Sunday, as you know it pretty well are there a mess of bikes roaring up and down on the weekends?? All info would be very grateful.
Col

[johnw]

Thanks John for the info, I'll pass it onto my other cronies ( ) for discussion, as we would be busing it from Katoomba it would be a late start for day one ? although it's not that far to the first campsite. The views would be nice. We are planing to hit the track on the Friday and finish Sunday, as you know it pretty well are there a mess of bikes roaring up and down on the weekends?? All info would be very grateful.
Col

Col,
We left the car near Katoomba railway station and took the bus out to Jenolan. There are at least 2 bus companies in Katoomba that do a "bushwalkers transfer" either to or from Jenloan Caves. However you need to book and pay in advance (cheapest I found was $35 pp one way). From memory they left Katoomba around 9:30 am (it's actually a service for day trippers visiting the caves and they bring them back late afternoon). We had lunch at Jenolan and didn't start walking until about 1:30pm. It's only about ~9 km to the Black Range campsite on day one and pretty easy walking, just a bit of a climb to start. The other days are each about 18-19 km. We had constant rain most of the second day and the descent of the Black Range was like walking down a mud slide, however that was preferable to walking up it.

Hard to say about the bikes etc. We did it over a long weekend so was probably worse than a normal weekend. That said, it wasn't actually too bad but we did need to watch out for them at times (they're supposed to look out for walkers). If possible, doing the trip during the week would be ideal. I wouldn't be put off if not, as you may be lucky and see few or none. You shouldn't encounter any where it is foot track only or crosses private land.

A few photos to give an idea of the walk and facilities:

Black Range campsite


Black Range shelter and water tank


Descending from the Mini Mini Saddle


Escarpment view from 6 Foot Track


Crossing Bowtells Swing Bridge over Coxs River


Looking down into Nellies Glen


Kind regards,
John W

[ColR]

Thanx John for the pics and info, sorry I haven't been in touch although semi retired I've been pretty busy the last few days. The decision has been made " Katoomba to J/Caves".
I'll let you know on my return how it went, and thank you again for all your help.
Col

[johnw]

The decision has been made " Katoomba to J/Caves".
I'll let you know on my return how it went, and thank you again for all your help.
Col

Enjoy your trip Col. We're leaving for Tasmania in a couple of weeks so effectively "trading places" I guess. Which reminds me I'd better start packing .

Kind regards,
John W

[jay590]

i did the six foot track from jenolan caves to katoomba and the last bit up from katoomba is spectacular but i didnt have my camera with me then. its not to bad because it doesnt take to long to do the climb.

[jerreldulay]

The swing bridge photo is great!!! I feel my stomach twisting in place just looking at it.

[MountainMadness]

Haha the 6-foot track hey.

A mate and I did Leura to Jenolan Caves in 1 day. It was raining the whole day so i can appreciate John's comment about the Black's Range mudslide!! In regard to which direction - this was more a training day for us so there wasn't much time to appreciate the views but I would suggest end at Jenolan Caves. From the little energy I had left at the end of the day i did manage to have a quick wander about the caves and they were awesome! A rewarding end to a good walk.

Just a suggestion though don't walk 60 k's in 1 day and expect to work a 12hr day the day after!!! It wasn't fun..............

[johnw]

Haha the 6-foot track hey.

A mate and I did Leura to Jenolan Caves in 1 day. It was raining the whole day so i can appreciate John's comment about the Black's Range mudslide!! In regard to which direction - this was more a training day for us so there wasn't much time to appreciate the views but I would suggest end at Jenolan Caves. From the little energy I had left at the end of the day i did manage to have a quick wander about the caves and they were awesome! A rewarding end to a good walk.

Just a suggestion though don't walk 60 k's in 1 day and expect to work a 12hr day the day after!!! It wasn't fun..............

Good effort and advice . And don't forget they run the Six Foot Track Marathon along there every year in a few hours...
Yes the caves are well worth a visit. We had a weekend away there, weekend before last. Spent almost 7 hours underground on a guided adventure tour of the Mammoth Cave system (a 40 minute bushwalk away from the show caves). Plenty of crawling through mudslides, climbing caving ladders, squeezing through impossibly small holes etc. I don't think I've been as filthy since I was about 3. Great fun and at least I now better understand what the speleologists get up to!

[Greenie]

Are there any problems with Animals and food at the 3 campsites?

[ninjapuppet]

I heard a dingo once at 5am. it sounded pretty close by, so i got my combat knife and trekking pole at the ready, and waited in the freezing cold... but after half an hour, nothing happened so i went back to sleep.

[Greenie]

Which campsite was that? Thanks!

[johnw]

Are there any problems with Animals and food at the 3 campsites?

We had no problems at either Black Range or Coxs R campsites. We spotted a wild pig while walking at one point and you do hear odd noises in the night sometimes.

[Greenie]

I saw the wild pig about 1 k west of the Coxs River. Then I meet some cows as I was setting up camp there. One was stalking me! Then as the sun started to set I could hear a dog howling off in the distance.

[vernon]

I saw the wild pig about 1 k west of the Coxs River. Then I meet some cows as I was setting up camp there. One was stalking me! Then as the sun started to set I could hear a dog howling off in the distance.

The pig and cows are alright but i'm having doubts about the howling dog That will make me not sleep much during the night then

[mattburga]

Hi first post


I'll be hiking the six foot track next week. It's my first solo over nighter - the plan is, Jenolan to Katoomba in two days, with the over night stop at the six foot track lodge. Should be fun.

[johnw]

Hi first post


I'll be hiking the six foot track next week. It's my first solo over nighter - the plan is, Jenolan to Katoomba in two days, with the over night stop at the six foot track lodge. Should be fun.

Welcome mattburga. I know a lot of people do it in 2 days, but that's a solid first day's walk (although easier than the opposite direction). I'd suggest a good breakfast and an early start. Enjoy it and take it easy.

[mattburga]

Thanks john. I shall be doing both!

I did the McCallums Flat walk last week for training. The steep climb up in the mid day sun was a test (not my bog) - http://jevans.pcug.org.au/Pages/Walk%20 ... _08_18.htm

[johnw]

Thanks john. I shall be doing both!

I did the McCallums Flat walk last week for training. The steep climb up in the mid day sun was a test (not my bog) - http://jevans.pcug.org.au/Pages/Walk%20 ... _08_18.htm

Yes that's good practice and a nice walk, some steep gorge walking around there. It's also worth continuing along the Shoalhaven R. upstream from McCallum's Flat to the junction with Bungonia Creek (bottom end of the White Track in Bungonia NP). I just reversed the route the time I did it, but would be a good trip to ascend the White Track (or one of the other routes in that area) and finish in BNP. Needs a car shuffle though.

[mattburga]

Once I got down the bottom to a camp area, I could not locate a proper track heading to the river...
I found my way to the river but not via any track. Next time
I'll take a map.

[mattburga]

Six foot track Jenolan (state forest) to Katoomba

The caves bus dropped me off where the main road meets the fire trail into the state forest near black range camp site. The walk was good mostly steep down hill, though tough in parts. There were a few people heading in the opposite direction training for the marathon next weekend, and a nice French couple making coffee at the first river crossing I came too. 5 hours hiking from jenolan forest to the lodge near cox river.

The 6fttrack lodge was excellent. I had it all to myself this being a Sunday.

Starting early on day 2, the hike was more enjoyable now that it was a bush track then a fire trail. Around the old Megalong Valley settlement area it started to rain. By Nellies Glen going was getting pretty tough in such miserable rainy conditions, and I found the stairs of the glen dam hard in the slippery rain. 5 hours 20 minutes from the lodge to the tree.

[mattburga]

I only passed 3 trail bike riders and they were OK. They slowed down when they spotted me.

I was concerned when at around 7pm two 4 wheel drives turned up at Cox River blasting music, and had barking dogs with them. Luckily they didn't stay to long.


I think I might drive down Megalong Rd, park, and hike to the lodge again soon, stay a few nights this time to take in the river and it's surrounds.

[johnw]

Once I got down the bottom to a camp area, I could not locate a proper track heading to the river...
I found my way to the river but not via any track. Next time
I'll take a map.

There is no track as such, and yes it's a good idea to take a map. Follow the Shoalhaven River southwest staying on the northern bank. You may pick up signs of a faint pad here and there but it's essentially trackless (not a sensitive area AFAIK - walk details publicly available for many years). A bit of minor rock hopping and pushing through/under patches of scrub among the sheoaks. It's 2.5 kms or so to the Bungonia Creek Junction, which is a near a bend.

Good to hear you enjoyed the Six Foot Track and had no problems. Although starting at Black Range you missed one of my favourite bits from Jenolan Caves to BR. That section is usually the first day's walk if starting from that end (for a "standard" 3 day trip).

[vtsyid]

Hi all!
I've done the Six Foot Track once before and am looking into doing it again - this time in one day.
Has anyone done this? How long did it take?
Any help much appreciated!

[Lindsay]

Son and I completed the six foot track last Friday, K to J, then had a days adventure caving in Mammoth cave at Jenolan. Water in the tanks at Coxs and Black range, but Alum Creek was pretty dry. Due to a thunderstorm on Wednesday evening we decided to use the ford rather than Bowtells bridge in the lightning, and the slog up Black Range on Thursday in the heat was character building to say the least.