Shoalhaven Bushwalkers Inc.

Kanangra to Katoomba Walk (October 2001)

by Sandra Kelley

Having left our cars at Packsaddlers in the Megalong Valley, we journeyed to Kanangra Walls by way of the Wilderness Transit bus. We set up camp and went for a short walk to the lookout and the Kanangra Brooks Falls. Sunset provided us with spectacular views of the Walls.

Day 1 - we began walking across Seymour tops with fantastic views all around and Mt Cloudmaker on the distant horizon. To reach it we had to climb nine mountain tops or knolls with a combined elevation of six hundred metres (Craft Walls, Mt Berry, High and Mighty, Stormbreaker, Rip, Rack, Roar and Rumble). A very windy night and not much sleep.

Day 2 - at breakfast we were greeted by a lady walking in the area on her own - not something that I would recommend. A pleasant walk to Mt Strongleg and the beginning of a steep descent to Kanangaroo clearing (580 metres in one and a half kilometers). Karen was nearly knocked over on the way down by a very frightened wallaby, desperate to get away from us. That afternoon we explored the Kanangra Creek and the Cox's river after setting up the tents at a very nice camping spot.

Day 3 - After crossing the Cox's river we had a steep climb (500m) up Yellow Pup ridge to Yellow Dog Mountain. Whoever named the features in this area had a fetish for dogs - Brindle Pup, Howling Dog, Brown Dog, Spotted Dog, appearing on the map. We left our packs at the bottom of Mt Dingo and climbed up to Splendour Rock, Brett taking the more challenging route using a chain and spikes. Splendour Rock is well named, with splendid views from Lake Burragorang all the way back to Kanangra Walls far behind us. Water was scarce at Mobbs Soak, our campsite at the end of the day.

Day 4 - We left Mobbs Soak on our last day, hiked out to Blackhorse Ridge, then descended to Breakfast Creek and finally slogged up a weed-infested Carlon Creek to our cars for lunch. This is a classic Blue Mountains walk, and it was well worth doing.

(Click here for first photo and then click on each photo for the next)




Kanangra Walls with Cloudmaker in the distance




Kanangra Walls and Crafts Walls




Kanangra Walls and our route to Cloudmaker




Kanangra Brook Falls




Kanangra Brook Falls 2




Kanangra Gorge




Thurat Spires




Crafts Walls




The ridge to Cloudmaker




Kanangra Wall




Fiona Wilmot and Ray Spratt in gully off Walls




Morning tea in overhang of Crafts Walls
Fiona Wilmot, Ray Spratt, Karen Davis, John Prior, Sandra Kelly and Yuriko Ball

























Looking back to Kanangra Walls




High and Mighty




Resting on Rack Knoll




Bushwalking is a bloody business




Ti Willa Top and Byrne's Gap




Yerranderie Peak (left distance) and Mt Colong (right)




On top of Cloudmaker
(Brett took the photo and later edited himself into the picture using Photoshop)

























Jennifer leading group in Tai-Chi




More Tai-Chi




More Tai-Chi




More Tai-Chi




About to descend Mt Strongleg




The last few metres of the Strongleg descent




Crossing Kanangra Creek




Campsite by Kanangra Creek




Kanangaroo Property




Complete with gas hot water




Karen crossing Kanangra Creek




Crossing the Cox's River




Fiona icing her knees
(Elle McPherson's legs Photoshopped in later)

























On top of Mt Yellow Dog




Two bums with the "A" out of their pants




Yuriko takes a break




What happens when your digital camera runs out of batteries