UBMBC | Advance Notice Activities

Advance Notice Activities

Sun - 25-Feb-2024 4 MHX - Day Walk: The Middle Valleys
Gardens of Stone SCA/Ben Bullen State Forest west of the Great Dividing Range encapsulates, in a relatively small area, everything that is exciting and interesting about bushwalking – incredible rock sculptures, tall pagodas, narrow slot canyons, magnificent caves, verdant forests and more. This unique area is currently under serious threat from mining. Find out why this area must be protected for future generations. About 8k. All off track, some rock scrambling and exposure.
Map: Cullen Bullen
Sat - 24-Feb-2024 5 H - Pack Walk: Great North Walk Training Walk 3 Jamison Valley Traverse
Jamison Traverse - Route to be determined by Track access and days as both Narrow Neck and Kedumba Pass have weekend only access and Kedumba campground closed. Antidcipated route. Narrow Neck Lookout - Golden Stairs - Solitary (camp Night 1) Descend Col, Camp Night 2 Kedumba River, Sublime Point Fire Trail. Camp Night 3 Jamison Creek, Exit via Leura Forest to Carrington Park. Full details to be provided two weeks prior. Assisted by Wendy Woolley Springwood Club Leader
Map: Jamison
Sat - 17-Feb-2024 4 MH - Creek: DuFaurs Creek
The annual wade/swim down Du Faurs Creek starting at October Creek then Du Faurs Canyon and the Creek. Exit up the hill to the car park rather than Joes. Some lengthy swims, wet suits essential.
Map: Mt Wilson
Fri - 16-Feb-2024 5 HX - Pack Walk: Colo Gorge, Boorai Creek and Barakee Pass
A 3-day adventure. Day 1 – From Culoul Range Trail, descend to the Colo River. Establish a base camp. Day 2 – A recce day to explore a route up through the cliffs on the western side, and beyond for a future trip (around Barakee Pass). Day 3 – Walk up Boorai Creek to about GR 737 220 and then climb back to the ridge and the cars. About 20 km total. Great swimming in between walking. Partly exploratory. Scrambling and exposure.
Map: Colo Heights
Fri - 16-Feb-2024 3 MX - Day Walk: Explore Birrabang Ridge - out to Liversidge Hill Exit Via Birrabang Brook
Explore Birrabang Ridge - Head out to Liversidge Hill then back onto Birrabang Ridge to the end then pass into Birrabang Brook (Wet Feet) exit via creek back to Bells Line of Road.
Map: Mt Wilson
Sat - 10-Feb-2024 5 H - Pack Walk: GNW Training Overnight 2 Grose Valley
Route to be determined by Track openings. And will be advertised 2 weeks before) NPWS have indicated Horse Track and Junction Rock to Acacia Flat may be open early in new year. Otherwise Pierces Pass, Acacia Flat, Burra Korrain, Victoria Falls Assisted by Wendy Woolley (walks leader Springwood)
Map: Mt Wilson
Sat - 03-Feb-2024 4 MH - Pack Walk: GNW Training overnight 1 Ingar Campground and Murphys Glen
Beginning on Kings Tableland, Wentworth Falls. Fire trail walking with overnight packs, Camp night 1 Ingar Campground, Camp Night 2 Murphys Glen. Finish Woodford Station
Map: Jamison
Sat - 03-Feb-2024 4 MH - Creek: Upper Bell Creek
Time for the annual swim/wade down Bell Creek. magnificent scenery, some longish swims and clambering over rocks. Wet suits essential
Map: Mt Wilson
Sun - 21-Jan-2024 4 MHX - Day Walk: Wild Gorge, Dome Cave and Cosmic Cave
Find out why this spectacular area must be better protected for future generations. Park on a fire trail off Sunnyside Ridge Road and walk east to the head of a tributary of Wild Gorge. Descend it, visiting Dome Cave and Pinch Point Circle along the way. Climb Split Rock, then move south east and out towards Carne Creek. Climb out on a tributary and visit Cosmic Cave. Exit via Split Rock Point and Pass. Re-connect with the cars. About 8k. Scrambling and exposure.
Map: Cullen Bullen
Sat - 20-Jan-2024 5 HX - Creek: Upper Upper Wollangambe
Our annual visit to the Upper Upper Wollangambe. Wet suits essential for this wade/swim down the river. See parts of the river not accessible on foot.
Map: Wollangambe
Fri - 19-Jan-2024 3 M - Day Walk: Wollangambe River Via DuFaurs Rocks
Bushwalk to the Wollangambe River Via DuFaurs Rocks 10km - Depart Mt Wilson Fire Station Explore DuFaurs Rocks and Chainman's Hat before heading off track on a good ridge, explore around Joes Canyon before joining the Wollangambe track to the Horseshoe Bend explore / swim and lunch, look up into the Wollangambe canyon upstream, before heading back to Mt Wilson on the Wollangambe walking track (steep uphill many steps). Map: Wollangambe
Map: Mt Wilson
Wed - 17-Jan-2024 3 M - Day Walk: Nature Connection Walk . Pool of Salome and Lyrebird Dell Leura
Staring at Leura Oval. This is a very short walk and will be conducted at a quieter slow pace to allow time and space to take in the surroundings. We will stop at Pool of Salome for an hour and you can choose to explore nature in your way. Mine is nature journaling, others might choose photography, plant or bird ID, sound recording or just laying back and doze. The goal is to listen and focus on the place quietly. We will then pack up and walk to surrounding areas of Leura via either Golf Links Lookout or Gordon Falls exits and some street walking back to cars.
Map: Katoomba
Sat - 13-Jan-2024 3 M - Meeting: Great North Walk Expression of Interest Meeting
1. Joint walk for Upper Blue Mountains Bushwalking Club Inc (UBMBC) & Springwood Bushwalkers Club (SBC) 2. Co- leaders: Tracie McMahon (UBMBC) & Wendy Woolley (SBC) 3. Will be attempted in five stages of varying lengths with breaks in between to avoid peak times, allow a restock/wash and the leaders to fit their work schedules in. 4. Anticipated Dates& Stages: a. 9/3 – 13/3, (Saturday to Wednesday) Sydney to Brooklyn (65 km) b. 19/3 - 20/3, (Tuesday – Wednesday) Brooklyn to Mooney Mooney Bridge (31.9 km) c. 23/3 – 25/3 (Saturday – Monday ) Mooney Mooney to Greta Road (37.1 Km) d. 6/4 -10/4, (Saturday to Wednesday) Greta Rd to Watagans HQ (Watagans Section) ( 72.5) km e. 20 - 23/4 (Saturday to Tuesday) Watagans HQ to Queens Wharf Newcastle (52.9) km – Stay over Newcastle last night possible – NB 25/4 Anzac Day. 5. Car shuffles will be needed on all sections except Section 1 which can be navigated by train. Participants will be limited by numbers. If there are only 2 cars (the leaders) participants will be limited to 3. 6. 3 * training walks to be held as follows 3/2 – 5/2: (Saturday to Monday) Ingar campground and Murphy’s Glen 10/2 – 12/2: (Saturday to Monday) to Grose Valley – Route to be determined by Track openings. And will be advertised 2 weeks before) NPWS have indicated Horse Track and Junction Rock to Acacia Flat may be open early in new year. Otherwise Pierces Pass, Acacia Flat, Burra Korrain, Victoria Falls 24/2 – 27/2: (Saturday to Tuesday) Jamison Traverse -Route to be determined by Track access and days as both Narrow Neck and Kedumba Pass have weekend only access. These walks will be put on the program and will be open to clubs but first preference to those joining the GNW attempt. 7. This is all weather camping and walking. Cancellation if access/ transport makes impractical . 8. 6 -8 walkers on each stage only with preference to those wanting to do whole walk. 9. No preference given to either club. 10. If there are not enough End to end or stage walkers, day walkers, car campers etc are welcome and will be advertised as short notice walks two weeks before, with 11. Expressions of interest meeting 13 Jan 9 am location TBA, followed by a half day walk. 12. Questions: call Wendy on 0434 006 188 or email woollshed@bigpond.com. Do not call Thursday or Friday due to work commitments .
Map: Katoomba
Sat - 13-Jan-2024 4 MH - Day Walk: Ida Falls and surrounding highlights
The walk takes in sights along Chifley road with an off-track section to visit Ida falls finishing off by walking down Ida Falls gully to Lithgow. It involves setting up a car shuffle. Listed as grade 4 MH as there may be some re-growth to deal with.
Map: Lithgow
Sat - 06-Jan-2024 4 MHX - Creek: Dumbano CreekTunnels
Explore the canyon section of Dumbano Creek known as the "tunnels" A walk through, water not much more than knee deep. A lovely cool spot on a hot day, access is by the Wollangambe Fire Trail which can be rough. Last time we did this we visited Gooch's Crater on the way back
Map: Lithgow
Sat - 30-Dec-2023 5 H - Day Walk: The Rain Cave and Pyramid Rock
The Rain Cave is just off the Glowworm Tunnel Road in the cliffs above Carne Creek. Pyramid Rock is in the valley below. The walk visits several caves in the cliffs, the Governors Pagoda, Miracle Pass and Pyramid Rock. Walkers must be comfortable with walking along ledges and a steep climb from the valley back through the cliffs.
Map: Cullen Bullen
Sat - 16-Dec-2023 5 HX - Creek: Beefsteak Creek Hampden Forest
A delightful creek to paddle in or walk along its banks in the Hampden Forest. Steep down to the creek from Black Range Road and steep 200 metre climb back up to Black Range Road. An area not often visited by the Club 4WD's preferable .
Map: Hampton
Fri - 15-Dec-2023 3 M - Abseiling: Abseil Training For Beginners
The training day at Mt York is intended for members who walk with UBMBC and who have not abseiled previously. It will cover ropes, anchors and equipment, safety checks, personal anchors, abseiling technique and belay. The venue at Mt York, has three progressively steeper cliff faces that are ideal for training. Following the training we drive to Medlow Bath where we put skills into practice in Juggler Canyon – which has 6 abseils. The day ends with a lovely walk through part of the Grand Canyon. Members who complete the training successfully will be approved to attend easier canyons on the UBMBC program. You will need a helmet, harness, carabiner and descender. Equipment must be approved to European or North American safety standards. Bicycle helmets and helmets from other sports are not acceptable. Do not buy new equipment until after the course. Borrow equipment for the training day or I have equipment for loan. Before booking in for this program please read Guidelines for Walkers and Guidelines for Canyoners on the UBMBC website. Members must have done at least three bushwalks with UBMBC and have completed a non-abseil canyon (eg Grand Canyon, Du Faurs, Rocky Creek) When you apply for the training day please mention the walks you have completed with our club and the non-abseil canyon you have done. Email applications are preferred. Canyoning involves carrying wet suits, ropes and equipment as well as scrambling over slippery rocks and climbing in steep, rugged country. A suitable level of fitness and agility is required.
Map: Katoomba
Fri - 15-Dec-2023 3 M - Day Walk: Mt Wilson - Smith Hill Circuit – Zircon Creek - Fields Selection – Picnic Point and the Runners Track
Mt Wilson - Smith Hill Circuit – Zircon Creek - Fields Selection – Picnic Point and the Runners Track - 10km Good mix of landscapes, rainforest, treeferns, mountain ash, most of the walking is on good open trails, one section off track exploring headwaters of Zircon Creek. Views over Wollangambe and Bowens creek catchments. Mid way between Mt Wilson and Mt Irvine.
Map: Mt Wilson
Wed - 13-Dec-2023 3 M - Day Walk: Nature Connection Walk - Ikara Head Loop
Nature Connection Walks are taken at a slower and quieter pace to focus on being in the bush. The walk will commence at Vic Falls Road and take the walking trail to Ikara Head. If the weather is nice we will spend an hour or so at the head, where you can engage in a connection activity of your choice. Mine is nature journaling. I'll add a photo when I put the google group add out. Photography, plant ID, birdwatching, writing, or just daydreaming might be yours. If weather not so great or it's hot, we will journal in Girraween Cave. We then cross over the creek from Girraween and take a short steep climb to the firetrail (climbers track) to Ikara Head and return on the fire trail. About 7 km total and a half day.
Map: Mt Wilson
Fri - 08-Dec-2023 2 EM - Day Walk: Glenbrook to Portal Lookout
Walking from Glenbrook Station along road, fire trails and tourist track to Tunnel View lookout and Portal lookout. Great Views. 14klm trip.
Map: Penrith
Mon - 04-Dec-2023 3 MX - Day Walk: Old link track Blackheath
The Mountaineer Blackheath 1899 map and the Barrows 1908 map show a link track between Govetts Leap Road to Hat Hill Road. We will walk the Popes Glen Track to Govetts Leap and see if anything remains.
Map: Mt Wilson
Sat - 02-Dec-2023 5 HX - Day Walk: Across Dumbano and Bungleboori Creeks
From the Wollangambe Fire Trail (AKA Dumbano Fire Trail) we will walk generally North, crossing Dumbano Creek, the headwaters of Arthurs Canyon, and Bungleboori Creek, ending up at the Waratah Ridge car park. The leader has walked the first and last thirds, but the middle third will be exploratory - it looks interesting on the satellite maps! This walk is for experienced walkers only. There will be a long car shuttle. So far we have two 4WD vehicles and 4 walkers, so there is room for one more walker. We could take up to four more walkers if at least one has a vehicle they are prepared to drive to Waratah Ridge and another has a (4WD) vehicle they can drive down the Wollangambe Fire Trail.
Map: Wollangambe
Sat - 02-Dec-2023 4 MHX - Day Walk: Pagoda Maze
Find out why this spectacular area must be better protected for future generations. Park the cars at GR 276 193 on Moffits Trail. Climb north and explore several pagoda ridges, before crossing into Gardens of Stone NP to visit Palatine Rock and Tarpeian Rock with their spectacular views. Then on to the amazing Pagoda Maze, best part of which is located in the Gardens of Stone SCA and is therefore not properly protected. Scrambling and exposure. About 8km.
Map: Ben Bullen
Sat - 02-Dec-2023 3 M - Canyon: Twister and Rocky Creek Canyons
No bookings until Monday 27 November. Geoff is putting this trip on Friday, but for those of us that are working on Friday, I'm also putting it on Saturday. Rocky Creek is a really impressive deep canyon in the Newnes Plateau area. The slanting rays on a sunny day in Rocky can be spectacular. It has no abseils but it is a wet canyon with a few swims of up to about 50m and so you need bring a wetsuit. Twister is a tributary that leads into Rocky Creek, it isn't so impressive but has a number of fun jumps and also no abseils. Like Rocky it is wet and even in early December still cold! Although there are no abseils there are quite a few jumps and some scambles, so you need to be comfortable with this.
Map: Rock Hill
Fri - 01-Dec-2023 3 M - Creek: Twister and Rocky Creek
No bookings until Monday 27 November. Rocky Creek is a magnificent creek off the Galah Mt road on the Newnes Plateau. We begin with Twister (aka Sheep Dip) a short creek with pools, slides and jumps that are so much fun. A delightful walk through rainforest brings us to Rocky Creek. The creek has towering walls above a narrow channel which involves swims up to 50m. It is quite cold, even on a hot day so wet suits are recommended. The "washing machine" is a fun challenge then the creek opens for a slide down a waterfall. A dark extended section follows with some long swims. This area is a photographer's delight with spectacular light effects. We have lunch on the side of the creek then reverse the creek. The day ends with a pleasant walk through rain forest to the car park. Participants must be confident with jumping into pools, negotiating slippery rocks in running water, a swimming in dark channels.
Map: Rock Hill

Upper Blue Mountains Bushwalking Club

Upper Blue Mountains Bushwalking Club

Upper Blue Mountains Bushwalking Club

Advance Notice Activities