2022-January & 2022-March combined report
Day-trip ... circuit:
Deception Canyon
to Dry Canyon also known as Nobles Canyon
via Delusional Slot
and detour to Wild Slots
& cliff edges on plateau above Dry Canyon
Wollemi National Park, NSW, Australia
Prolog
Many bushwalkers have been to Dry Canyon.
Some have been to Deception Canyon.
A few hardy souls have even been to Delusional Slot.
But 2022-January may be the first time a circuit
from Deception Canyon
to Dry Canyon
via Delusional Slot
was completed by anyone !
7 weeks later, 2022-February, another group of Chinese bushwalkers (including John Graham) repeated a similar circuit using our 2022-January GPS trace.
Hhmmm ...
I should patent this trip and collect royalties from everyone wishing to do the same :-)
Preview
Deception Canyon
Canyon floor is the yellow dot.
We'll be down there !
Delusional Slot
Fissure on the right - we'll climb up the cliff that way.
Though you can also climb up via the fissure on the left.
Dry Canyon - beautiful !
You can preview more photos in these links:
2022-Jan: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DPpzrFD1DUD8bNvz5N-ONtvvGOBDH57f/view
2022-Mar: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WNzLnkHywoQWdP2gW5lXkcAOCBn35wJ6/view
My bushwalks in this area
I have been to this area a few times now:
2022-Jan / 2022-Mar ... This combined report
Deception Canyon & Wild Slots & Delusional Slot & Dry Canyon
2022-Jan ... 7 of us: Paul, leader
Frank Liu
Karen Lee
Lisa Li
Lora Ye
Ray Hu
Stanley Wu
2022-Mar ... 2 of us: Paul, leader
Dave knighton
We also went to lookout 1 ... photo #113.
Missed this wonderful lookout in 2022-Jan.
2020-Aug ... Deception Canyon & Wild Slots & Delusional Slot
5 of us: Paul, leader
David Hou
Joanne Zou
Lisa Li
Yusrin Mulia
Pictures only:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GFuSRJr_jfJaAtz9XyWZxWjEQq4o-8YG/view
2015-Sep ... Deception Canyon & Dry Canyon
5 of us: Nick, leader
Fiona
Freda
Paul
Ruoran Zhou
Detailed trip report:
https://mntviews.blogspot.com/2015/09/deception-nobles-canyon-wollemi-np-nsw.html
Maps
- 1:100,000 scaled 8931 Wallerawang
- 1:25,000 scaled 8931-4S Ben Bullen and 8931-3N Cullen Bullen
Map 1) Relevant part of the 1:25,000 topographic map:
GPS tracklog files & route
Warning:
Due to cliffs, GPS recording below may be inaccurate !
GPX tracklog files can be downloaded from:
2022-Mar: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RWLRh9JLAb60Y1IhN9IXriruVk9wjVBZ/view
- Recommended for this trip.
2022-Jan: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UoGGFP8Jh-VP4kxqWlgscd1yJTnq2cMt/view
- Similar to 2022-Mar ... Difference:
- To pagoda 1 instead of pagoda 8
- Minus pagoda 9, lookout 1, pagoda 10
- Hence not as good as 2022-Mar trip
2020-Aug: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1lMeeSdPkd662N3LncwxR1VWKiCuUwrGH/view
- Short trip
- Initially, same as 2022-Jan trip
- After pagoda 1, to different nearby pagodas
- Then head east-ish back to carpark.
Map 2) 2022-March trip ~~~
( 2022-January trip is similar.
- To pagoda 1 instead of pagoda 8
- Minus pagoda 9, lookout 1, pagoda 10 )
GPS tracklog, counter-clockwise, in the 1:25,000 topographic map:
- 2 blue ovals, top to bottom:
1 Wild Slots
2 Deception Canyon
- 14 dark arrows, counter-clockwise from east along route:
1 Grid Ref 4081 1715 Carpark, start/end of walk
2 Grid Ref 4074 1729 Small pagoda
3 Grid Ref 4016 1762 Delusional Pass, lower end
4 Grid Ref 4022 1757 Delusional Slot
5 Grid Ref 4021 1748 Pagoda 8
6 Grid Ref 4027 1747 Pagoda 5
7 Grid Ref 4025 1721 Pagoda 6
8 Grid Ref 4007 1715 Pagoda 9
9 Grid Ref 4003 1726 Lookout 1
10 Grid Ref 3996 1705 Pagoda 10
11 Grid Ref 3998 1701 Pagoda 7
12 Dry Canyon west side entrance
13 Dry Canyon east side entrance
14 Grid Ref 4078 1663 Turtle Rock
- Small blue dot: Grid Ref 4020 1750 Pagoda 1
2022-Jan only
Just north-ish of pagoda 8
Map 3) Satellite image ... 2022-March trip
GPS tracklog in red, counter-clockwise
In summary:
- Park car ... Refer "Carpark Section" below.
- At Deception Canyon.
- Explore Wild Slots.
- Walk along ledge to Delusional Pass.
- Climb up Delusional Pass & Slot.
- Climb pagoda 8 2022-Mar / pagoda 1 2022-Jan
- Climb pagoda 5.
- Climb pagoda 6.
- Climb pagoda 9, 2022-Mar only.
- At lookout 1, 2022-Mar only
- Climb pagoda 10, 2022-Mar only.
- Climb pagoda 7.
- At southernmost point on cliff edge above Dry Canyon.
- At middle part of Dry Canyon.
- Through west side of Dry Canyon.
- Explore outside the west side entrance of Dry Canyon.
- Retrace steps through west side of Dry Canyon.
- Through east side of Dry Canyon.
- At Turtle Rock.
- Back at carpark.
Carpark
Carpark: Grid Ref 4081 1715
- Small open space by the east side of Glowworm Tunnel Rd
- Enough space for 2 cars only
Timeline and Distance
2022-March trip
From carpark, walk off-track immediately.
09:01 0.0 km Go west-ish initially
09:06 0.2 km At a small pagoda, GR 4074 1729
09:08 0.2 km Resume walking
09:17 0.45km At top of a ramp. It'll lead down to a dry creek which will lead to Deception Canyon.
09:34 1.0 km At south end of Deception Canyon, GR 4050 1781
10:03 1.15km At north end of Deception Canyon, GR 4051 1793
10:06 1.2 km GR 405 179
Leave backpack.
Climb up steep gully to explore Wild Slots.
The steep gully leads to a flat area.
Keep going forward, we come to a huge rock with 2 slots on its left and right.
First, enter the slot on its left side.
It is too narrow to pass through.
But it is possible to chimney up a meter or two, then wriggle further forward to the other end.
Next, enter the slot on the right side.
At its far end, the ground is wet and too narrow to pass through.
( Perhaps one can chimney up and exit the slot that way.
Once out, maybe one can climb up the huge rock in photos #39 to #41 ???
Or climb up the cliffs to the plateau further east ???
Can some brave souls, after reading this trip report, have a go at it and report back to me 😀 )
After exploring the slots, return via a tunnel, photo #65.
NOTE: GPX trace around the narrow slots area may be inaccurate.
10:49 1.67km Back at where we left our backpacks at 10:06
Here, we have morning tea.
Take off our boots to dry our feet.
We had incessant rain for the past 3 weeks, and so Deception Canyon is wet today.
(The canyon was usually dry.)
11:31 1.72km Resume walking
12:31 2.58km Climb up Delusional Pass, steep, GR 4016 1762
12:40 2.67km At bottom of Delusional Slot
Lunch.
Then muck around ...
Pretend to climb up the vertical cliff just outside Delusional Slot.
13.22 2.85km Climb up Delusional Slot, GR 4022 1757
13:27 2.9 km At top of Delusional Slot
13:33 3.02km At top of a pagoda, GR 4021 1748
For the purpose of this report, it is labelled as pagoda 8.
13:36 3.02km Leave pagoda 8
13:47 3.27km At top of pagoda 5, GR 4027 1747
13:51 3.27km Leave pagoda 5
14:08 3.77km At top of pagoda 6, GR 4025 1721
Change phone & GPS batteries.
14:20 3.8 km Leave pagoda 6
14:41 4.27km At top of pagoda 9, GR 4007 1715
14:42 4.27km Leave pagoda 9
14:46 4.4 km GR 4003 1726
A wonderful rock platform by cliff edge with super view
For the purpose of this report, it is labelled as lookout 1.
14:49 4.42km Leave lookout 1
15:04 4.75km At top of pagoda 10 on cliff edge, GR 3996 1705
15:07 4.75km Leave pagoda 10
15:14 4.85km At top of pagoda 7 on cliff edge, GR 3998 1701
15:16 4.88km Resume walking
15:22 4.98km At southernmost point on cliff edge, GR 3997 1691
15:26 5.0 km Leave cliff edge
15:37 5.25km GR 4017 1696
Turn right into a ramp which will lead to middle part of Dry Canyon.
15:49 5.62km At east side entrance of Dry Canyon west section
16:02 5.78km At west side entrance of Dry Canyon
16:10 5.85km At top of a nearby rock ... north-west-ish of the west side entrance
16:14 5.87km Leave rock
16:16 5.93km Back at west side entrance of Dry Canyon. Start to retrace steps back into the canyon
16:20 6.08km At east side entrance of Dry Canyon west section; same spot as at 15:49
16:25 6.25km At west side entrance of Dry Canyon east section
16:28 6.38km At east side entrance of Dry Canyon
16:47 7.0 km At Turtle Rock, GR 4078 1663
16:49 7.03km Resume walking
16:56 7.4 km At Glowworm Tunnel Road
17:03 7.9 km Finish at carpark
=====================================
Total: 8 hrs 2 mins
7.9 km Distance is from Google Earth
Pictures
Mostly from 2022-January, unless stated otherwise.
On our way after parking the cars
1) From carpark, go off-track immediately, west-ish initially ~~~
- Upper pic: 2022-Mar
• Thick scrub, unpleasant to bash through
- Lower pic: 2020-Aug, 6 months after the Great Black Summer Bushfires in NSW, 2019-2020
• Almost the same scene as the upper pic ... easy hike !
• Yellow oval: Heading to this pagoda-like rock formation
Small pagoda
Grid Ref: 4074 1729
2) Climb this small pagoda-like rock formation (yellow oval of previous pic) ~~~
- 2 pics below are of the same pagoda ... from different angles.
3) (2020-August) Top of the pagoda ~~~
- Left to right: Lisa, Joanne
Dry creek upstream of Deception Canyon
4) Climbing down a ramp towards a dry creek that will lead to Deception Canyon ~~~
- Upper pic, left to right: Frank, Stanley, Ray, Karen
- Lower pic, clockwise from bottom: Lora, Ray, Frank, Karen, Stanley
5) Down same ramp as previous pic ... to a dry creek that will lead to Deception Canyon ~~~
- Lisa
6) Walking in the dry creek upstream of Deception Canyon.
Deception Canyon
7) Deception Canyon ... upstream entrance.
8) In Deception Canyon ~~~
- Yellow arrow: Direction of walk
- Yellow oval: Photo #9 zooms into this area
9) In Deception Canyon ~~~
- Left to right: Lisa, Karen, Lora
10) Frank is admiring the canyon while Stanley is high up watching everyone.
11) Looking back at where we came from ~~~
- Yellow arrow: Direction of walk
12) Deception Canyon ~~~
- Upper pic:
• Yellow arrow: The way through the canyon
- Lower pic: Joanne (Photo by Yusrin, 2020-August)
- Refer to photo #13 for the scene above these 2 pics.
Above Deception Canyon floor
13) Scene here is above the previous pic ~~~
We are going to explore areas above the canyon floor.
- Left to right:
• Stanley ... Near where he was in photo #10
• Lisa
14) Panning slightly to the right of previous pic.
15) Same scene as previous pic.
- Ray
- We are moving forward to explore areas above the canyon.
16) Above canyon floor ~~~
- Lisa
- Yellow oval: Refer to photo #17.
17) We've crawled through the holes in the yellow oval of previous pic ~~~
- Stanley ... Photo #19 will be taken by him at where he is now.
- Yellow oval: Holes we just crawled through
- White oval: Refer to photo #18.
18) Panning to the left of previous pic ~~~
- Left to right: Lisa, Frank ... the daredevils
- White oval: Same feature as the white oval in previous pic
19) Panning slightly to the left of previous pic ~~~
- Photo by Stanley ... He is at photo #17.
- Left to right:
• Frank, Lisa ... the daredevils on an upper ledge
• Ray, Lora, Paul, Karen ... on a lower ledge
- We are well above the canyon floor. (The canyon floor is in photo #20.)
20) Same scene as previous pic (Photo by Lisa) ~~~
- Yellow dot: The canyon floor is far down below.
- Stanley's turn to be a daredevil.
- Lora is pointing at him.
21) Deception Canyon ... panning slightly above previous pic ~~~
- Yellow dot: Canyon floor
Climbing down Deception Canyon
22) (2020-August) Climbing down Deception Canyon ~~~
- White ovals in both pics below: They circle the same rock.
- Yellow arrows: Direction of walk.
- Upper pic, left to right: Yusrin, Lisa, Joanne
- Lower pic: Yusrin, Lisa
23) We've climbed down a lot when compared to photo #21 ~~~
- Yellow arrows: Direction of walk along canyon floor.
24) Same scene as previous pic (Photo by Frank) ~~~
- Lisa the daredevil
- Yellow arrows: Direction of walk along canyon floor
25) Same scene as previous 2 pics (Photo by Frank) ~~~
- Top to bottom: Ray, Karen, Lora
They are one level above canyon floor.
26) Same scene as previous 3 pics (Photo by Lisa) ~~~
- Top to bottom:
• Stanley, Ray ... Showing off :-)
• Karen ... Wondering how is she going to climb down :-)
Refer to photo #27.
- Yellow arrows: Direction of walk along canyon floor
27) (2022-March) Dave demonstrating how to climb down from where Karen was in the previous pic.
Deception canyon is usually dry.
The water here is due to too much rain throughout February and March of 2022.
- White oval: Same as the white oval in photo #22
Continue down Deception Canyon
The difficult climbing part in Deception Canyon is over.
We now continue downstream.
28) (2015-September) Still inside Deception Canyon ~~~
- Ruoran Zhou
- White oval: Looking back at where we came from
PS: I'm trying to contact Ruoran Zhou.
If you know her whereabouts, please let me now.
Or ask her to contact me.
( My email address: mntviews@gmail.com )
More details on Ruoran Zhou is in this link:
http://onemanadreaming.blogspot.com/2022/03/ruoran-zhou.html
29) (2022-March) Same scene as previous pic ~~~
- Dave
- White oval: Where we came from
30) The beautiful Deception Canyon ~~~
- Yellow arrow: Direction of walk
31) Same scene as previous pic (Photo by Lora) ~~~
- Ray
32) (2020-August) Same scene as previous pic ... just a few steps forward ~~~
- Joanne
Deception Canyon downstream entrance
Grid Ref: 4051 1793
33) Deception Canyon downstream entrance ~~~
- Stanley
34) Deception Canyon downstream entrance ~~~
- Group photo, clockwise from upper-left: Karen, Lisa, Lora, Frank, Ray, Stanley
35) (2020-August) Deception Canyon downstream entrance ~~~
- Lisa
Dry creek downstream of Deception Canyon
36) Dry creek downstream of Deception Canyon ~~~
- Left to right: Frank, Ray, Lisa
- Yellow arrow: Direction of walk
37) Dry creek downstream of Deception Canyon ~~~
- Clockwise from left: Ray, Lisa, Karen, Lora, Frank, Stanley
- We have morning tea here.
Then leave our backpacks.
Around GR 4050 1800, leave dry creek by turning east (right side of this pic)
and climb up a steep gully heading towards Wild Slots.
Wild Slots
38) We've climbed up a steep gully and is now in the Wild Slots area ~~~
- The 2 pics below are of the same scene.
- Upper pic: Lisa
- Lower pic, yellow arrow: Direction of walk
39) Wild Slots ~~~
We'll keep moving forward, along left side of this pic.
40) Wild Slots ~~~
- 3 yellow ovals, left to right:
1 Left-side slot
2 Entrance to right-side slot
3 Small waterfall ... photo #62
Wild Slots - left-side slot
41) Wild Slots ~~~
- Gap on left side is the left-side slot.
42) Inside the left-side slot of Wild Slots (Photo by Frank) ~~~
- Top to bottom:
1, 2 Stanley, Lisa ... At the upper end of the slot.
They didn't reach there by going forward along the slot ...
... because the slot is too narrow.
They reached there via a tunnel connecting the right-side & left-side slots.
Refer to photos #46 to #47.
3 Ray ... in the middle of the slot
43) Inside the left-side slot ~~~
- Top to bottom:
1 Ray chimneying towards the upper end of the slot.
(Because the slot is too narrow to walk through.)
But he backs out soon.
He says it is difficult to chimney through.
I reckon if one is game enough, it is possible to get through.
But none of us is willing to try ... apart from Ray's half-hearted attempt :-)
2 Lora taking photos with her phone.
She is at the upper end of the slot.
She reached there via a tunnel connecting the right-side & left-side slots.
Refer to photos #46 to #47.
3 Frank ... on terra firma
44) Looking down at the entrance ~~~
- Top to bottom: Ray, Paul, Karen, Frank
- Photo by Lora at upper end of the slot ... at where she was in the previous pic.
Wild Slots - right-side slot
45) Entrance to the right-side slot ~~~
- Lisa
46) Inside the right-side slot ~~~
- Karen is at the entrance of a connecting tunnel between the right-side & left-side slots.
47) Photo taken from inside the connecting tunnel between the right-side & left-side slots ~~~
- Left to right: Frank, Ray ... in the right-side slot
Wild Slots - left-side slot again
48) One end of the connecting tunnel is the upper end of the left-side slot ~~~
- Stanley ... at the upper end
- In photos #43 and #44, Frank was down at the bottom of the slot.
Wild Slots - right-side slot again
49) Back in the right-side slot ~~~
- Left to right: Ray, Lisa
50) Further into the right-side slot ~~~
- Joanne (Photo by Yusrin, 2020-August)
51) And further into the right-side slot ~~~
- Left to right: Stanley, Frank, Lora, Ray
52) At the really wet end of the right-side slot ~~~
- Lisa is at where we won't be venturing any further, as the water is ankle-deep further on.
- Except Ray ... next pic :-)
53) Only Ray is willing to get his feet wet by wading into the ankle-deep water ~~~
(Photo by Frank)
The far end of the slot is blocked.
But is it possible to chimney up to get through ?
Perhaps another dare-devil is willing to have a go and let me know.
Wild Slots - Backing out of right-side slot
54) Now backing out of the right-side slot ~~~
- Left to right, Ray, Stanley, Lora, Karen
55) Karen
56) Close to the entrance of the right-side slot (Photo by Lora) ~~~
- Top to bottom:
1 Stanley
2 Lisa ... just outside the entrance
Wild Slots - right-side slot entrance
57) Entrance of the right-side slot ~~~
- Left to right: Lora, Frank, Stanley
58) Entrance of the right-side slot (2020-August) ~~~
- Left to right: Yusrin, Lisa, Joanne
- Photo #59 features the same rock where Yusrin is sitting.
59) Entrance of the right-side slot ~~~
- Upper pic: Paul (Photo by Dave, 2022-March)
- Lower pic: Lora, Stanley
- In both pics, we are sitting on the same rock;
and it is the same rock Yusrin was sitting on in the previous pic.
60) From the entrance of the right-side slot, looking down at where we came from ~~~
- Smaller circle, bottom-left corner: Cave & waterfall are under the rock ... We'll be there soon, photos #61 to #64.
- Larger circle: We'll exit Wild Slots via the tunnel, photo #65.
- Yellow oval, right edge: The way we entered Wild Slots earlier on.
Wild Slots - Cave & waterfall
61) Entrance to a small cave ~~~
Under the rock in the smaller yellow circle at bottom-left corner of previous pic.
- A small waterfall is inside ... Photos #63, #64.
62) Waterfall here is photographed from the rock (and towards left) at where Yusrin was sitting in photo #58 ~~~
- Scene here is above the cave in photo #61.
- The waterfall plunges into the inside of the cave ... photo #63.
63) Small waterfall and plunge pool (2022-Mar) ~~~
We are inside the small cave of photo #61.
- Upper part of this waterfall is previous pic and is above the cave.
- Also, refer to photo #64.
64) Still inside the cave ~~~
- White oval: 2022-Jan ... Only a trickle of water in the waterfall.
- Compared to previous pic which is photographed in 2022-Mar ... because a lot of rain has fallen in February/March.
Wild Slots - Stargate-like Tunnel
65) We leave the Wild Slots area via a Stargate-like tunnel ~~~
- The tunnel is the larger yellow circle in photo #60.
- It is like the Stargate Tunnel at McLeans Pass in Wolgan State Forest.
- Lower pic, left to right: Lora, Lisa, Karen (Photo by Frank)
To Delusional Pass and Delusional Slot
After Wild Slots, we head towards Delusional Pass and Delusional Slot.
66) Dry creek downstream of Deception Canyon ~~~
- We are walking downstream from the area in photo #37.
- Upper pic: (Photo by Lisa)
• Left to right: Ray, Paul, Stanley, Frank, Karen, Lora
- Lower pic:
• Left to right: Frank, Lisa, Karen
• Yellow arrow: Direction of walk
67) Climbing up towards a ledge (which will lead to Delusional Pass / Delusional Slot) ~~~
- Upper pic, left to right: Stanley, Lora, Lisa, Karen
- Lower pic, top to bottom: Ray, Paul, Frank, Karen, Stanley, Lora (Photo by Lisa)
Ledge (to Delusional Pass and Delusional Slot)
68) This part of the ledge had collapsed making progress a little tricky ~~~
- Left to right: Lora, Paul, Karen, Frank, Stanley (Photo by Stanley)
69) Along ledge to Delusional Pass / Delusional Slot ~~~
- Left to right: Stanley (having fun), Lora, Frank
- Yellow arrow: Direction of walk
70) Along ledge to Delusional Pass / Delusional Slot ~~~
- Upper pic, left to right: Ray, Lisa
- Lower pic: Frank, Karen
- In the 2 pics, Lisa & Karen are climbing the same rock.
71) Passing this overhang/cave ... nice !
72) Along ledge ~~~
- Upper pic: (2020-August)
• 2 yellow arrows: You can pass here along either arrow.
• Left to right: Lisa, Yusrin
- Lower pic: Stanley the Buddha :-)
Ledge - Animal jaw
73) Joanne in the jaw of an animal (2020-Aug) ~~~
- Lower right pic: (2022-Mar) Growth of scrub in the intervening years
Ledge - Narrow cave
74) Come to a narrow cave ~~~
- You can bypass the cave ... yellow arrow on the right.
- Or you can enter the cave ... yellow arrow on the left.
In the middle of the cave, you can exit through a hole on the right ... photo #76.
75) Entrance of the narrow cave ~~~
Amazing photo by Stanley !!!
- Beautiful Lora is like a tall mermaid ...
... Compare her with Lisa inside the cave !!! :-)
76) Inside the narrow cave (2022-March) ~~~
- Dave ... About to exit the cave on the right where daylight shines in
Ledge - Lookout
77) A nice lookout on a rocky platform of the ledge ~~~
- Left to right: On the platform ... Lisa, Ray, Frank
On the ledge ... Lora, Karen, Stanley
78) View from the lookout towards Donkey Mountain and Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Resort.
Delusional Pass
The ledge comes to GR 4016 1762.
Here, we turn left to climb up Delusional Pass.
Be careful when climbing up the pass.
It is steep and full of loose rocks which could tumble down to hurt someone below.
79) Climbing up Delusional Pass (2020-August) ~~~
- Left to right: Lisa, Yusrin
- Red arrow: Delusional Slot is at the end of the pass.
80) Climbing up Delusional Pass ~~~
- Upper pic, left to right: Ray, Lora, Karen
- Lower pic:
• Lisa, Stanley
• Red arrow: Delusional Slot is at the end of the pass.
Delusional Slot - Outside its lower entrance
We have arrived at Delusional Slot ... Photos #86 to #94.
It is a gentle sloping ramp leading to the top of the cliff.
Grid Ref: 4020 1758 ... Its lower entrance
81) First, we muck around the cliff walls to the left of the slot ...
... This and photos #82 to #85 ~~~
- Stanley having fun
82) To the right of previous pic, there is a smooth-ish vertical cliff ~~~
- Lora having fun, pretending to climb the cliff :-)
83) Karen
84) Lisa
85) Paul (Photo by Lora)
Delusional Slot - lower entrance
86) Outside Delusional Slot's lower entrance ~~~
- Yellow arrow: Delusional Slot ... Leads to top of the cliff.
- Cyan arrow: Photos #87, #88 ... Also leads to top of the cliff.
- Upper pic: Ray (Photo by Frank)
- Lower pic: Paul (2022-March. Photo by Dave)
87) The vertical gap, cyan arrow of previous pic (Photo by John Graham in his 2022-Feb trip) ~~~
- Yellow oval: Delusional Slot
In 2020-August, due to the way the sun was shining, the inside of Delusional slot (yellow oval of previous pic) appeared to be a smooth vertical black wall. Obviously we weren't going to climb up a smooth wall.
And so, the only way up the cliff was via the vertical gap of previous pic (and also the pic below).
Yusrin & Joanne were able to climb up first.
And Yusrin set up his red rope for the rest of us who weren't so agile.
Once we were all up the plateau, rounded a bend, we found a gentle narrow ramp going down.
Curious at where it might lead to, we went down the ramp.
Lo and behold, we were back at the same spot as in the above & below photos !!!
We all laughed at how silly we were :-) :-) :-)
There were 5 of us with 5 pairs of eyes.
None of us realized the smooth vertical black wall was just an illusion ... well, delusion :-)
Considering to climb up the vertical gap, one first had to go a little bit inside Delusional Slot, chimneyed up a bit, then crossed over to the vertical gap; and yet, we didn't see the gentle ramp which is Delusional Slot !!!
I reckon we were the only group in the entire world who have climbed up the cliffs via both passages !
After the trip, I tried to have the name of the gap registered as "Silly Climb" in BushExplorers' Encyclopaedia,
https://www.bushexplorers.com.au/
But BushExplorers won't accept it on the ground that the gap is not a geological feature :-(
Why is it not a geological feature ???
88) (2020-Aug) Same vertical gap as previous pic ~~~
- Yusrin has set his red rope.
- Lisa climbing up.
89) Just inside the lower entrance of Delusional Slot ~~~
- Frank
- White oval: In 2020-August, this area appeared like a smooth vertical black wall !!!
Delusional Slot - inside
90) Inside Delusional Slot (Photo by Lisa) ~~~
- Top to bottom: Ray, Stanley, Frank, Lora, Paul, Karen
91) Inside Delusional Slot ~~~
- Top to bottom: Ray, Lora
92) Inside Delusional Slot, facing backwards ~~~
- Yellow arrow: Direction of walk
- Upper pic, left to right: Karen, Lisa
- Lower pic: Lora. Behind her are Paul, Karen, Lisa. (Photo by Ray)
Delusional Slot - upper entrance
93) Delusional Slot, upper entrance ~~~
- Yellow arrow: Direction of walk
- Frank, Lora
94) Delusional Slot, upper entrance ~~~
- Yellow arrow: Direction of walk
- Upper pic: Karen leading, followed by Lisa (Photo by Ray)
Above Delusional Slot
95) Looking down into Delusional Slot from above (2020-Aug) ~~~
- Upper pic top to bottom: Lisa, Joanne
- Lower pic: Yusrin, David, Paul, Joanne (Photo by Lisa)
Pagoda 1
Climb it in 2022-January, but not in 2022-March.
(In 2022-Mar, we climbed the nearby pagoda 8 instead.)
Grid Ref: 4020 1750
Just south of Delusional Slot.
For the purpose of this trip report, it is labelled as pagoda 1.
96) Climbing up pagoda 1 ~~~
- Red arrows in both pics below: Same interesting rock
- Upper pic, top to bottom: Stanley, Frank, Lisa, Karen
- Lower pic: (Photo by Stanley)
97) At top of pagoda 1 ~~~
- Upper pic: Facing north-ish
• Left to right: Lora, Frank
- Lower pic: Facing south-ish
• Karen
• Red arrow: Pagoda 8. Climb it in 2022-Mar ... Photos #100, #101
• This pic and the 3 pics in photo #98 form a 360-degree panorama.
98) Panorama from top of pagoda 1 ~~~
- Upper pic: (Continuation from the right of previous pic)
• 7 red arrows, left to right:
1 Pagoda 6
2 GR 4016 1730, interesting pagoda not climbed in any of my trips.
Must make a mental note to climb it if I'm near this area again !
3 Pagoda 9
4 After climbing pagoda 9, go to this cliff edge, lookout 1.
5 Cleft Point
6 Sunnyside Point
7 Cape Pinnacle
• Mouth of Dry Canyon is behind pagoda 9; can't be seen from here.
- Middle pic: (Continuation from the right of the upper pic)
• Both white ovals: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Resort
• Purple arrow: Cape Horn
• 2 horizontal bars, left to right: Mt Wolgan, Donkey Mountain
• 5 red arrows, left to right:
1 Cape Horn (insert)
2 Unnamed 870-meter hill west of Mt Wolgan
3 Mt McLean
4 Mt Jamison
5 Mt Davidson
• Photo #99 zooms into the centre of this pic.
- Lower pic: (Continuation from the right of the middle pic)
• Left to right: Lora, Frank
- Continuation to the right of the lower pic is photo #97's lower pic, completing a 360-degree panorama.
99) Zooming into the centre of photo #98's middle pic ~~~
- White oval: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Resort
- 2 horizontal bars, left to right: Mt Wolgan, Donkey Mountain
- 5 red arrows, left to right:
1 Cape Horn
2 Unnamed 870-meter hill west of Mt Wolgan
3 Mt McLean
4 Mt Jamison
5 Mt Davidson
Pagoda 8
Grid Ref: 4021 1748 ... next pagoda south-ish of pagoda 1.
For the purpose of this trip report, it is labelled as pagoda 8.
Climb it in 2022-March, but not in 2022-January.
100) Pagoda 8 (2022-March) ~~~
- Upper pic: View to pagoda 8 from top of pagoda 1
• White oval: Pagoda 8 (hard to discern it from the background).
It is also the red arrow in photo #97's lower pic.
- Lower pic: Climbing it now
101) View towards pagoda 1, from top of pagoda 8 ~~~
- 2 red arrows, left to right:
1 Same as the red arrows in photo #96 (both upper & lower pics)
2 You should be able to match this rock with the one in:
• Photo #97's upper pic
• Photo #98's middle pic (right edge)
Pagoda 5
After pagoda 1 (2022-Jan) / pagoda 8 (2022-Mar), it is to Pagoda 5.
Grid Ref: 4027 1747 to 4028 1748
The view from top of pagoda 5 is not as good as other pagodas.
But still, it is a pagoda, hence worthwhile climbing.
102) Part of the pagoda 5 complex ~~~
- 2 white ovals, left to right:
1 Same as the white oval in photo #104's lower pic
2 We climb up this pagoda from somewhere behind here.
Also same as the white oval in photo #104's upper pic
- White arrow: Same as the white arrow in photo #104's lower pic
- This pic and the 3 pics in photo #103 form a 360-degree panorama.
103) Panorama from top of pagoda 5 ~~~
- Upper pic: (Continuation from the right of previous pic)
- Middle pic: (Continuation from the right of the upper pic)
• White arrow: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Resort
• Purple arrow: Cape Horn
• 8 red arrows, left to right:
1 Pagoda 9 ... You can hardly see it :-(
2 Lookout 1, nice lookout on cliff edge ... Again, can hardly see it :-(
(2022-Mar only, will go there after climbing pagoda 9.)
3 Cleft Point
4 Sunnyside Point
5 Cape Pinnacle
6 Cape Horn (insert)
7 Unnamed 870-meter hill west of Mt Wolgan
8 Mt McLean
- Lower pic: (Continuation from the right of the middle pic)
• 2 red arrows, left to right: Mt Jamison, Mt Davidson
• 2 horizontal bars, left to right: Mt Wolgan, Donkey Mountain
- Continuation to the right of the lower pic is photo #102, completing a 360-degree panorama.
104) Some features of the top of pagoda 5 ~~~
- Upper pic:
• White oval: Same as white oval on the right of photo #102
Viewed from opposite directions
- Lower pic:
• White oval: Same as left white oval in photo #102
• White arrow: Same rock as the white arrow in photo #102
• 7 red arrows, left to right:
1 Cleft Point
2 Sunnyside Point
3 Cape Pinnacle
4 Cape Horn
5 Unnamed 870-meter hill west of Mt Wolgan
6 Mt McLean
7 Mt Jamison
Pagoda 6
After pagoda 5, it is to Pagoda 6.
Grid Ref: 4025 1721
105) Part of the pagoda 6 complex ~~~
- Upper pic, left to right: Karen, Frank, Lora, Stanley
- Lower pic: Frank, Lora, Stanley, Karen
106) At another part of pagoda 6 ... facing west ~~~
- 7 red arrows, left to right:
1 Cape Pinnacle
2 Cape Horn
3 Mt McLean
4 Unnamed 870-meter hill west of Mt Wolgan
5 Mt Jamison
6 Mt Davidson
7 Mt Wolgan
- 2 yellow arrows, left to right:
1 Pagoda 9, next destination (2022-Mar only)
2 Then to lookout 1 at cliff edge (2022-Mar only)
- This pic and photos #107 #108 form a 360-degree panorama.
107) (Continuation from the right of previous pic) Facing north-west ~~~
- Red horizontal bar: Donkey Mountain
- Yellow arrow: Lookout 1 at cliff edge with nice view (2022-Mar only)
- 3 red arrows, left to right:
1 Mt Davidson
2 Mt Wolgan
3 GR 4016 1730, interesting pagoda not climbed in any of my trips.
Must make a mental note to climb it if I'm near this area again !
- White oval: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Resort
- Previous pic, this pic and the 3 pics in photo #108 form a 360-degree panorama.
108) Panorama from top of pagoda 6 ~~~
- Upper pic: (Continuation from the right of previous pic) Dave
- Middle pic: (Continuation from the right of the upper pic) Dave
- Lower pic: (Continuation from the right of the middle pic)
• Red arrow: Cape Pinnacle
- Continuation to the right of the lower pic is photo #106, completing a 360-degree panorama.
Climb down a steep slope
On the way to the cliff edges north of Dry Canyon, need to climb down this steep slope.
No rope is required.
But if the rocks are wet, a rope should be deployed.
109) The steep slope ~~~
- Upper pic: Looking down from top of slope
• Top to bottom: Lisa, Ray, Karen, Frank
- Lower pic: Looking back at the slope we just climbed down
Pagoda 9
Grid Ref: 4007 1715
2022-March only
Verr nice view from top of the pagoda.
110) This pic and photos #111 #112 form a 360-degree panorama.
- White oval: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Resort
- 4 red arrows, left to right:
1 Mt McLean
2 Unnamed 870-meter hill west of Mt Wolgan
3 Mt Jamison
4 Mt Davidson
- 2 red horizontal bars: Mt Wolgan, Donkey Mountain
111) (Continuation from the right of previous pic)
- Vertical yellow arrow: Next, to lookout 1 on cliff edge with nice view
- Yellow dot: Delusional Slot lower entrance
- Horizontal yellow arrow: Route along ridge top after climbing up Delusional Slot
- 2 red arrows, left to right:
1 Pagoda 5
2 GR 4016 1730, interesting pagoda not climbed in any of my trips.
Must make a mental note to climb it if I'm near this area again !
112) Panorama from top of pagoda 9 ~~~
- Upper pic: (Continuation from the right of previous pic)
• 2 red arrows, left to right:
1 GR 4016 1730, interesting pagoda not climbed in any of my trips.
Must make a mental note to climb it if I'm near this area again !
2 Pagoda 6
- Middle pic: (Continuation from the right of the upper pic)
- Lower pic: (Continuation from the right of the middle pic)
• Cyan dotted line: Dry Canyon mouth
• 2 white ovals, left to right:
1 We'll be there. From top of the rocks, we can look down into dry Canyon.
2 Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Resort
• 4 red arrows, left to right:
1 Cleft Point
2 Sunnyside Point
3 Cape Pinnacle
4 Cape Horn
- Continuation to the right of the lower pic is photo #110, completing a 360-degree panorama.
Lookout 1
Grid Ref: 4003 1726
2022-March only
From pagoda 9, go to tip of a rock platform on cliff edge with a wonderful view.
For the purpose of this trip report, the tip is labelled as lookout 1.
113) Lookout 1 ... tip of rock platform on cliff edge ~~~
- Upper pic:
• Red arrow: Going to the tip now.
- Lower pic: Paul at the tip
• White oval: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Resort
114) At lookout 1, looking back at where we came from ~~~
- Dave
- Red arrow: Pagoda 9 ... We were there few minutes ago.
- This pic and the 3 pics in photo #115 form a 360-degree panorama.
115) Panorama from lookout 1 ~~~
- Upper pic: (Continuation from the right of previous pic)
• 8 red arrows, left to right:
1 Cleft Point
2 Sunnyside Point
3 Cape Pinnacle
4 Cape Horn
5 Mt McLean
6 Unnamed 870-meter hill west of Mt Wolgan
7 Mt Jamison
8 Mt Davidson
• 2 red horizontal bars: Mt Wolgan, Donkey Mountain
• 2 white ovals: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Resort
• Photo #116 zooms into the main part of this pic.
- Middle pic: (Continuation from the right of the upper pic)
• White ovals: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Resort
• Yellow dot: Delusional Slot lower entrance
• Red arrow: Pagoda 5
• Photo #117 zooms into the right half of this pic.
- Lower pic: (Continuation from the right of the middle pic)
• 3 red arrows, left to right:
1 Pagoda 5
2 GR 4016 1730, interesting pagoda not climbed in any of my trips.
Must make a mental note to climb it if I'm near this area again !
3 Pagoda 6
- Continuation to the right of the lower pic is photo #114, completing a 360-degree panorama.
116) Zooming into the main part of photo #115's upper pic ... Wonderful view ! ~~~
- 2 white ovals: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Resort
- 5 red arrows, left to right:
1 Cape Horn
2 Mt McLean
3 Unnamed 870-meter hill west of Mt Wolgan
4 Mt Jamison
5 Mt Davidson
- 2 red horizontal bars: Mt Wolgan, Donkey Mountain
117) Zooming to right half of photo #115's middle pic ~~~
A wonderful view of where we were few hours ago.
- 4 red arrows, left to right:
1 Pagoda 1 ... climbed in 2022-January
2 Pagoda 8 ... climbed in 2022-March
3 Pagoda 5
4 GR 4016 1730, interesting pagoda not climbed in any of my trips.
Must make a mental note to climb it if I'm near this area again !
- Yellow dot: Delusional Slot lower entrance
- 3 yellow arrows, left to right:
1 Walking along the ledge
2 Then up the steep Delusional Pass
3 Walking along ridge top after climbing out of Delusional Slot
Pagoda 10
Grid Ref: 3996 1705
Located on cliff edge north of Dry Canyon mouth.
2022-March only
After lookout 1 (where I was in photo #113's lower pic), Dave and I walk south-ish towards Dry Canyon mouth; and stopping at pagoda 10 for a view.
118) At pagoda 10, we can see the Dry Canyon mouth ~~~
- Upper pic:
• Red arrow: Heading there soon where we can look down into Dry Canyon
• Continuation to the right of this pic is photo #119.
In fact, this pic and the 3 pics in photo #119 form a 360-degree panorama.
- Middle pic: Left side of the upper pic
• White arrow: It is the red arrow of the upper pic.
Heading there soon where we can look down into Dry Canyon
• Cyan arrow: Dry Canyon mouth
- Lower pic: Right side of the upper pic
• Continuation to the right of this pic is photo #119.
119) Panorama from top of pagoda 10 ~~~
- Upper pic: (Continuation from the right of previous pic)
• 5 red arrows, left to right:
1 Cape Horn
2 Mt McLean
3 Unnamed 870-meter hill west of Mt Wolgan
4 Mt Jamison
5 Mt Davidson
• 2 red horizontal bars: Mt Wolgan, Donkey Mountain
• 2 white ovals: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Resort
- Middle pic: (Continuation from the right of the upper pic)
• Dave
• Yellow oval: An impressive pagoda that we didn't climb.
Photo #121's upper pic is another view of this pagoda.
• Red arrow: Pagoda 9
- Lower pic: (Continuation from the right of the middle pic)
- Continuation to the right of the lower pic is photo #118, completing a 360-degree panorama.
Pagoda 7
Grid Ref: 3998 1701
On cliff edge north of Dry Canyon mouth.
And not far south of pagoda 10.
120) At pagoda 7, and facing where we are going next ~~~
- Yellow oval: Heading there now where we can look down into Dry Canyon.
- Cyan arrow: Dry Canyon mouth
- Upper pic: Zooming to the left side of the lower pic
- Lower pic: This pic and the 3 pics in photo #121 form a 360 degree panorama.
121) Panorama from top of pagoda 7 ~~~
- Upper pic: (Continuation from the right of previous pic)
• 5 red arrows, left to right:
1 Cape Horn ... Unfortunately you can't see it properly :-(
2 Mt McLean
3 Unnamed 870-meter hill west of Mt Wolgan
4 Mt Jamison
5 Mt Davidson
• 2 red horizontal bars: Mt Wolgan, Donkey Mountain
• 2 white ovals: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Resort
• Yellow oval: An impressive pagoda that we didn't climb.
Same as the pagoda in the yellow oval in photo #119's middle pic.
- Middle pic: (Continuation from the right of the upper pic)
• 2 red arrows, left to right: Pagoda 10 & pagoda 9
- Lower pic: (Continuation from the right of the middle pic)
- Continuation to the right of the lower pic is photo #120's lower pic, completing a 360-degree panorama.
122) Looking back at pagoda 7 (We are now south of the pagoda) ~~~
- Upper pic:
• Left to right: Lisa, Frank, Lora, Karen
• Photos #120 and #121 were taken from where Lisa is now.
- Lower pic: Walking further away from pagoda 7 ~~~
• 2 red arrows, left to right:
1 Same pagoda as the yellow ovals in photos #121 (upper pic) and #119 (middle pic)
2 Rock in the upper pic, ie pagoda 7
Cliff edge south of pagoda 7
Continue south along cliff edge towards Dry Canyon mouth.
123) Looking down into Dry Canyon Mouth ~~~
- Upper white oval: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Resort
- Lower white oval: We'll climb to the top of this rock in photo #147.
- 4 red arrows, left to right:
1 Mt McLean
2 Mt Jamison
3 Unnamed 870-meter hill west of Mt Wolgan
4 Mt Davidson
- 2 red horizontal bars: Mt Wolgan, Donkey Mountain
124) Further towards Dry Canyon mouth ~~~
- White oval: Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley Resort
- 2 red arrows, left to right:
1 Mt Jamison
2 Mt Davidson
- 2 red horizontal bars: Mt Wolgan, Donkey Mountain
- This pic and the 3 pics in photo #125 form a 360-degree panorama.
125) Panorama from above Dry Canyon mouth ~~~
- Upper pic: (Continuation from the right of previous pic)
• 4 red arrows, left to right:
1 An impressive pagoda.
Same pagoda as the yellow ovals in photos #121 (upper pic) and #119 (middle pic)
And the same pagoda as the 1st red arrow in #122's lower pic
3 Pagoda 10
4 Pagoda 7
2 Pagoda 9
- Middle pic: (Continuation from the right of the upper pic)
• Yellow oval: Dry Canyon flows in the gap here.
Then makes a bend to the right ... photo #127.
- Lower pic: (Continuation from the right of the middle pic)
- Continuation to the right of the lower pic is photo #124, completing a 360-degree panorama.
Looking down into Dry Canyon
126) Left side of photo #125's middle pic ... from a slightly different angle. (Photo by Frank) ~~~
Dry Canyon flows in the main gap in the middle of the pic.
Then makes a bend to the right ... photo #127.
127) (This scene is similar to previous pic; and also similar to the left side of photo #125's middle pic.)
Looking down into Dry Canyon ~~~
- At bottom of the pic, the canyon makes a bend to the right ... photo #128.
- The canyon mouth is beyond the bottom-right corner.
128) (Continuation from the right of previous pic)
Looking down into Dry Canyon ... the cyan dashes.
To Dry Canyon
After the fantastic views from above Dry Canyon mouth, we make our way along top of the plateau in a easterly direction.
At GR 4017 1696, turn right into a downward ramp which will lead down to the middle part of Dry Canyon.
129) The ramp passes here (2022-March) ~~~
- Dave
- Yellow arrow: Turn right and keep going will lead to the middle part of Dry Canyon.
130) Scene further down the yellow arrow of previous pic ~~~
- White arrows in both pics below: They point to the same trees.
- Upper pic: Frank
- Lower pic: A few steps forward compared to the upper pic
Middle part of Dry Canyon
131) Middle part of Dry Canyon ~~~
- Frank
132) Middle part of Dry Canyon ... Few steps forward from where Frank was in the previous pic ~~~
- Yellow arrow: To west side of Dry Canyon
Dry Canyon - west side
133) Dry Canyon west side entrance ~~~
- Lower pic, left to right: Frank, Karen, Lora (Photo by Ray)
134) Inside Dry Canyon, west side
135) Dry Canyon
136) Dry Canyon ~~~
- Lower pic: A few steps forward compared to the upper pic
• Lisa
137) Dry Canyon ~~~
- Upper pic: (Photo by Ray)
• Left to right: Frank, Lisa, Stanley, Karen, Paul
(Lora is in front of, and blocked by Paul.)
- Lower pic: A few steps forward compared to the upper pic
138) Dry Canyon (2022-March) ~~~
- Dave
139) Dry Canyon
140) Dry Canyon ~~~
- Red oval: Same as the red oval in photos #141, #142
- Photo taken near where Dave is photo #143's upper pic.
141) Same scene as the middle part of previous pic ~~~
- Top to bottom: Lisa, Frank, Karen
- Red oval: Same as the red oval in photos #140, #142
142) A bit further forward compared to previous pic ~~~
- Red oval: Same as the red oval in photos #140, #141
143) Looking back ~~~
- Yellow arrow in both pics below: Direction of walk
- Photo #153 is a closer look at the rock in the middle of these 2 pics.
- Upper pic:
• Dave (2022-March)
• Photos #140 and #141 were taken near where Dave is now.
- Lower pic: Same scene as the upper pic
• Lora
Dry Canyon mouth
144) Dry Canyon mouth ~~~
- Left to right: Lora, Karen, Stanley
145) Dry Canyon mouth ... facing backwards ~~~
- Lisa
146) Dry Canyon mouth
Outside Dry Canyon mouth
147) Outside Dry Canyon mouth, ie its west side entrance ~~~
- The 2 pics below are of the same scene.
- 2 red arrows in both pics, left to right:
1 Pagoda at left red arrow of photo #122's lower pic
2 Going to climb up this rock now.
It is the rock in the white oval of photo #123.
148) Panorama from the rock, lower red arrow of previous pic ~~~
- The 2 pics below and photos #149, #150 form a 240-degree panorama.
- White ovals in both pics: We walked along the cliff edges.
- Upper pic, red arrows:
1 Same as the left red arrow of previous pic
and left red arrow in photo #122's lower pic
2 Pagoda 7
- Lower pic: (Continuation from the right of the upper pic)
- Continuation to the right of the lower pic is photo #149.
149) (Continuation from the right of previous pic)
- Yellow oval: Dry Canyon mouth
150) (Continuation from the right of previous pic)
- This pic and photos #148, #149 form a 240-degree panorama.
We now return to Dry Canyon mouth.
151) Cliff above Dry Canyon mouth ~~~
- The 2 pics below are of the same scene.
- Lower pic:
• Stanley
• Yellow oval: Dry Canyon mouth
Dry Canyon - west side again
152) Back in Dry Canyon's west side again ~~~
- Frank
153) Climbing up the rock in the middle of photo #143 ~~~
- Frank climbing up. In front of him are: Stanley, Karen, Ray
154) Dry Canyon (Photo by Frank) ~~~
- Left to right: Stanley, Paul, Lisa, Ray, Karen, Lora
155) Dry Canyon ~~~
- Same area as photo #136's lower pic (opposite direction)
- Lisa in front. In front of her are: Ray, Frank, Karen
156) Still in Dry Canyon ~~~
- Lisa
- Yellow circle: Same as the yellow oval in photo #157's upper pic
157) About to exit the darker part Dry Canyon ~~~
- Upper pic:
• Left to right: Ray, Lisa
• Yellow arrow: Direction of walk
• Yellow oval: Same as the yellow circle of previous pic
• White circle: It is the lower pic.
- Lower pic: Zooming into the white circle of the upper pic.
Dry Canyon - middle part again
158) The canyon opens up ~~~
- Karen leading, followed by Stanley, Frank, Ray, Lisa
Dry Canyon - east side
159) Dry Canyon, east side ~~~
- White arrow in both pics below: Same tree fern
- Upper pic, left to right: Paul, Frank (Photo by Stanley)
- Lower pic: Stanley, Lisa, Frank
160) Further into the canyon ~~~
- In both pics below:
• Red circles: Same tree fern
• Yellow arrows: Direction of walk
- Upper pic, yellow oval: Same as the yellow oval in photo #161
- Lower pic: Looking back at Lora
161) Few steps forward compared to photo #160's upper pic ~~~
- Yellow arrow: Direction of walk
- Yellow oval: Same as the yellow oval in photo #160's upper pic.
162) Yellow arrows in both pics below: Direction of walk ~~~
- Upper pic: Lisa, Karen
- Lower pic: Looking back
163) About to exit the darker part of Dry Canyon's east side ~~~
- Yellow arrow: Direction of walk
164) Slightly more light now ~~~
- Ray in front
- The larger palms are Dicksonia antarctica (Soft Tree Fern).
165) Dicksonia antarctica (Soft Tree Fern) ~~~
It is bent, and keeps growing on the far end !
There is an entire forest of these eerie fallen-and-alive caterpillar-like tree ferns.
The forest is in Dicksonia Forest Ravine in the Blue Mountains.
Refer to this clink for a trip report:
https://mntviews.blogspot.com/2016/10/dicksonia-forest-ravine-nsw-blue-mts.html
166) Ray, Stanley ~~~
- Yellow arrow: Direction of walk
167) The canyon opens up now.
Climbing out of Dry Canyon
168) A steep climb to get out of Dry Canyon ~~~
- Lower pic:
• At the top, left to right: Lisa, Karen, Ray
• The climbing star: Frank
To carpark
169) Through a short slot ... Shortly after climbing out of Dry Canyon ~~~
- White arrows in both pics below: Same fern
- Lower pic: A few steps forward compared to the upper pic.
• Lisa
170) There is a foot track from the short slot of previous pic to the car ~~~
- Yellow arrow: Direction of walk
- Karen is leading, followed by Frank, Lisa, Stanley
Turtle Rock
Grid Ref: 4078 1663
171) On the way to the carpark is this Turtle Rock ~~~
Bushwalkers put stones in its mouth to make them look like teeth of a turtle, even though turtles don't have teeth :-)
172) Stanley climbs into the mouth of the turtle, with the help of Ray.
Then it is back to the carpark.
Fauna
173) Leviana dimidiata, formerly Araneus dimidiatus ~~~
(Leaf Rolling Spider, Leaf Curling Araneus)
Family Araneidae. Leviana is leaf-curling orb-weaving spider.
Found on the rock plateau above Dry Canyon mouth.
Wonder why is it scurrying across the rock face and not inside a leaf ?
Above is a common spider in Australian eastern coastal bushland, from Brisbane to Melbourne.
Body length: Female 9mm, Male 4mm
It hides in a curled up dry leaf suspended in shrubs by supporting threads.
Its fan-like main web (an incomplete circle, open at the top) radiates out from the leaf.
When hiding in the leaf, only the tips of its legs visible.
Flora
174) Prostanthera hindii (Prostanthera is Mint Bush) ... lovely.
175) Leucochrysum graminifolium (Pagoda Rock Daisy)~~~
Only found in a small area, less than 100 kilometres in diameter, around Lithgow / Newnes district.
They grow in small pockets of sand that gather in cracks & depressions on pagoda-like rock formations.
176) Isotoma axillaris (Rock Isotoma, Blue Star, Star Flower)
177) Actinotus helianthi (Flannel Flower)
178) Goodenia decurrens ... I think.
Similar bushwalks in this area
2015-Sep ... Deception Canyon & Dry Canyon only
Detailed trip report:
http://mntviews.blogspot.com/2015/09/deception-nobles-canyon-wollemi-np-nsw.html
2020-Aug ... Deception Canyon & Wild Slots & Delusional Slot
Pictures only:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GFuSRJr_jfJaAtz9XyWZxWjEQq4o-8YG/view
Another super detailed report, which brings back all the joys from the trip. Some of your photos are simply amazing (or your PS skills shall I say?). I should get up much earlier and join you guys for GOS trips. Once getting older, no longer feeling that comfortable to be a lone wolf in the bush.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. You are always welcome to join our bushwalks, just contact me :-)
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