Day trip:
Gardens of Stone National Park
NSW, Australia
2017 October
- Twin Arch Cave
- Pyramid Rocks
- Michelangelo Cave
- Rain Cave
- Weather Cave
2019 January
- Twin Arch Cave
- Pyramid Rocks ...
Highlight: Climb the Great Pyramid !
- Above Michelangelo Cave
Great Pyramid in Pyramid Rocks
Below are 2 pictures of the Great Pyramid,
highest rock in the Pyramid Rocks area.
Once you have seen the rock, you should have
a burning urge to want to climb to its top.
If not, I don't know what will get you excited 😊
Charles (red arrow) climbing the Great Pyramid.
- Yellow arrows: Route up the Great Pyramid
- Crux of the climb:
Climb further up from the yellow dot 😊
Exciting and challenging !
- If a not-so-good climber like me
can climb to the top, so can you 😊
Interested?
Then scroll forward to see more pictures 😊
Prolog
2017 October
The first trip
4 of us:
Harold Thompson ... leader
Charles Bowden
Nick Collins
Paul (me)
We went to the Pyramid Rocks area
and the caves above Carne Creek:
- Michelangelo Cave
- Rain Cave
- Weather Cave
But I didn't get to climb the Great Pyramid,
highest rock in the Pyramids area.
(Reason is given in the comments
after photo #37.)
2019 January
And so, a return trip was called for.
2 of us:
Paul (me) ... leader
Yusrin Mulia
And Hurray !
Both YM and I climbed to the top
of the Great Pyramid !
However the weather was too hot,
around 37 Celsius.
I suffered numerous cramps in both calves.
Although we went up the gully
where the caves are located,
but I was too tired to find them 😭
Moral of the story:
It is silly to go walkabout in such a hot weather.
Book, Internet
Book:
"The Gardens of Stone National Park and Beyond"
Book 6
by Michael Keats & Brian Fox
Chapter 6.34 is an identical trip
to Pyramid Rocks and the caves.
Internet:
On the internet, aside from some photographs,
there is no description on how to reach
Pyramid Rocks and the areas around it.
What a surprise !
This is an interesting place,
and should be high up on the to-do list
of all serious bushwalkers.
If people are going there, why then
no one has posted any report on the internet ?
Not to worry.
This trip report and the photographs below
should fix up this glaring lack of information 😊
Maps
- 1:100,000 scaled 8931 Wallerawang
- 1:25,000 scaled 8931-3N Cullen Bullen
Map 1) Relevant part of the 1:25,000 map.
Notes - Secret Crag Rd was previously known
as Fire Trail No 7.
- You would need a 4-wheel-drive car
to negotiate the rough terrain of
Secret Crag Rd.
GPS tracklog file & route -
2017 October
GPX tracklog file of our 2017-Oct walk ...
Download it from either link:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/recording/activity-september-13-2026-76ec68f
or
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ODE5Rdj3DmO6N6ttZtSpP5pwT9tF8wot
The 2019-Jan route is mostly identical.
Differences are pointed out in the maps below.
Map 2) Below is the 1:25,000 scaled map
with our 2017-Oct tracklog (in red).
- Black dotted arrow:
In 2019-Jan, due to cramps in my calves,
I cut short the trip;
head back to the car that way.
- Blue horizontal arrow:
Orange overhang,
-33.29262 150.22374, Grid Ref 4147 1283
Refer to photos #56 to #58.
- Blue arrow pointing down:
Pagoda-like rock formation on cliff edge,
-33.29385 150.22447, GR 4154 1270
Refer to photos #2 to #4.
- 3 blue arrows pointing up, left to right:
1 Top of Miracle Pass,
-33.29545 150.22493, GR 4159 1252
2 Twin Arch Cave, also known as
Double Arch Cave
or Ronald McDonald Cave
-33.29504 150.22589, GR 4168 1257
3 Park car here at Secret Crag Rd
(previously known as Fire Trail No 7)
-33.29161 150.22919, GR 4198 1296
• About 500 meters
west of Glowworm Tunnel Rd
• Small clearing, room for 2 to 3 cars
Map 3) Satellite view of our 2017-Oct route.
- Map 4 zooms into the caves area.
- Map 5 zooms into the Pyramid Rocks area.
Map 4) Zooming into the caves area.
(Upper part of above map)
- 4 yellow arrows, top to bottom:
1 Weather Cave,
-33.28993 150.22540, GR 4162 1314
2 Rain Cave,
-33.29037 150.22580, GR 4166 1309
3 The Governor pagoda,
-33.29126 150.22465, GR 4155 1299
Refer to photos #70 and #71.
4 Michelangelo Cave, aka Gemini Cave,
-33.29149 150.22467, GR 4156 1296
- White dots: 2019-Jan only ...
Route to above Michelangelo Cave,
after missing the turn to the cave earlier on.
- White arrows: 2019-Jan only ...
Due to cramps in my calves,
I cut short the trip,
and head back to the car that way.
Map 5) Zooming into the Pyramid Rocks area
(lower part of Map 3).
- Yellow oval:
For the purpose of this report, I label
the bunch of rocks here as Rock #1.
- 7 yellow arrows clockwise from top-right:
1 Mark Anthony Slot,
-33.30000 150.22034, GR 4118 1201
2 Cleopatras Needle,
-33.30025 150.22025, GR 4117 1198
3 Rock #5,
-33.30177 150.22062, GR 4121 1181
4 Rock #4,
-33.30206 150.21964, GR 4112 1178
5 Top of the Great Pyramid,
-33.30153 150.21930, GR 4108 1183
6 Rock #3 (2019-Jan trip only),
-33.30089 150.21885, GR 4104 1190
7 Rock #2,
-33.30069 150.21838, GR 4100 1192
- White/Cyan/Yellow dots: 2019-Jan trip only
• White dots:
The way to climb to the top of Rock #3
• Cyan dots:
The way to climb down the Great Pyramid
• Yellow dots:
The way to the top of the Great Pyramid
In summary, the 2017-Oct route is:
- Park car at Secret Crag Rd,
at -33.29161 150.22919
GR 4198 1296
about 500 meters west of Glowworm Tunnel Rd
- To a pagoda on the cliff edge above Carne Creek
- To Twin Arch Cave
- Climb down cliff via Miracle Pass
- To Pyramids Rocks area
• To Rock #1
• To Rock #2 (2019-Jan - to Rock #3 instead)
• To Rock #4
• To the Great Pyramid
• To Rock #5
- To orange overhang
(on a ledge ... cliffs above Carne Creek)
- To Michelangelo Cave
- To Rain Cave
- To Weather Cave
- Back to the car
Timeline & Distance - 2017 October
Park CB & HT's cars at Secret Crag Rd,
-33.29161 150.22919
GR 4198 1296
about 500 meters west of Glowworm Tunnel Rd.
There is a small clearing, room for 2 to 3 cars.
You would need a 4-wheel-drive car
to negotiate the rough terrain of Secret Crag Rd.
09:30 0.0 km Start walking
09:41 0.55km At top of a pagoda-like
rock formation at edge of cliff
overlooking Carne Creek
09:46 0.55km Climb down pagoda
10:00 0.8 km At Twin Arch Cave
10:04 0.85km Resume walking
10:11 1.05km Start to climb down Miracle Pass
10:19 1.15km At bottom of the pass
10:32 1.35km Stop for morning tea
Morning tea
10:47 1.5 km Resume walking
11:11 2.2 km At Mark Anthony Slot
11:23 2.45km At a rock ...
I label it as Rock #2
for the purpose of this report
Climb up the rock
11:26 2.45km Resume walking
11:44 2.85km At top of Rock #4,
2nd highest rock
in the Pyramid Rocks area
Enjoy scenery
11:53 2.9 km Leave Rock #4
11:57 2.95km At base of the Great Pyramid
Watch CB ...
He climbs up the Great Pyramid from one side,
then down the other.
(In 2019-Jan, I also climb to the top
of the Great Pyramid !)
12:17 3.15km Leave the Great Pyramid
12:40 3.65km At Cleopatras Needle
12:44 3.7 km Stop for lunch
Lunch
13:13 3.85km Resume walking
13:58 4.9 km At an orange overhang,
photos #56 to #58
14:02 4.95km Resume walking
14:13 5.1 km At Michelangelo Cave
14:27 5.15km Leave Michelangelo Cave
14:46 5.4 km At Rain Cave
14:58 5.45km Leave Rain Cave
15:01 5.55km At Weather Cave
15:02 5.55km Leave Weather Cave
15:18 6.2 km Back at CB & HT's cars
==================================
Total: 5 hrs 48 mins
6.2 km Distance is from Google Earth
Pictures - 2017 October
Unless stated otherwise, pictures and
narratives below are for the 2017-Oct trip.
To cliffs above Carne Creek
First thing is to walk to a pagoda-like
rock formation on the cliff edge
overlooking Carne Creek.
1) Along Secret Crag Road.
(Called Fire Trail No 7 on older maps)
- Upper pic:
• NC leading,
followed by CB (left), then HT (right)
- Middle pic:
• 400 meters from where we started walking,
we come to this barrier;
and we walk straight through it.
• HT leading,
followed by CB, then NC (nearest)
- Lower pic:
• After the barrier,
the road becomes a foot track.
• Red arrow: Foot track leads to this pagoda.
Pagoda above Carne Creek
-33.29385 150.22447
Grid Ref 4154 1270
2) Pagoda on cliff edge ...
It is the red arrow of previous pic.
- Lower pic, left to right: Paul, NC
Photo by CB
3) I am at top of the pagoda of previous pic.
- Lower pic:
(Continuation to the right of the upper pic)
• Left red oval:
Miracle Pass, a steep slot ...
We'll be going down the cliff there.
• Right red oval:
Pyramid Rocks area ...
Photo #5 zooms into this area.
• Carne Creek flows in the valley
between Pyramid Rocks
and the cliffs on the other side.
Upper pic: Photo by NC
4) (Continuation to the right of previous pic)
Panorama from top of the pagoda.
- NC ... Studying a map
- Red oval:
Pyramid Rocks area ...
Photo #5 zooms into this area.
- Red bar: Mt Wolgan & Donkey Mountain
- Main valley in this pic: Where Carne Creek flows
- Clearing in front of
Mt Wolgan & Donkey Mountain:
Where Carne Creek flows into Wolgan River
5) Zooming into Pyramid Rocks.
- Red arrow:
A bunch of rocks around here ...
For the purpose of this report,
I label them all as Rock #1.
Mark Anthony Slot & Cleopatras Needle
are here.
- 5 yellow arrows, left to right:
1 Rock #5
2 Rock #4 ...
2nd highest pt in the Pyramid Rocks area
3 Great Pyramid ... highest point
4 Rock #3
5 Rock #2
Twin Arch Cave
Also known as:
- Double Arch Cave
- or Ronald McDonald Cave
-33.29504 150.22589
Grid Ref: 4168 1257
Before heading to Miracle Pass / Pyramid Rocks,
we first make a detour to Twin Arch Cave.
6) At the 1st chamber of Twin Arch Cave.
- The hole: Through it to the 2nd chamber
- Upper pic: NC
- Lower pic: CB
7) At the 2nd chamber.
(After passing through the hole
connecting the two chambers)
- White arrows in the 2 pics below:
They point to the same rock.
(To help you visualize the cave)
- Upper pic:
• CB is on the left edge.
• In the middle of the pic,
NC is further away. HT is closer.
- Lower pic:
Panning to the right of the upper pic
8) Still at the 2nd chamber.
(Continuation to the right of previous pic)
- Left to right: HT, NC (sitting), Paul
Photo by CB
Miracle Pass
Miracle Pass is a steep narrow slot
connecting the top of the cliff with its bottom.
Top of the Pass:
-33.29545 150.22493
Grid Ref: 4159 1252
The pass was discovered only a few years ago
in 2013-11-03 by Emanuel Conomos
on a reconnaissance walk for the
Blue Mountains Conservation Society.
He thought it would be a miracle if the
passage can go all the way to the bottom.
But it did !
Hence it was named Miracle Pass 😊
9) Scenery from top of Miracle Pass.
- CB ... Approaching top of the pass
- Yellow arrow:
Miracle Pass ... We are going down there
to the bottom of the cliff now.
- Red bar: Mt Wolgan & Donkey Mountain
- Red arrow: (towards north)
Pagoda we climbed in photos #2 and #3
- Clearing in front of
Mt Wolgan & Donkey Mountain:
Where Carne Creek flows into Wolgan River
10) Now going down Miracle Pass.
- Upper pic: NC
I am at the top of the pass
watching NC going down.
- Lower left: CB
Same scene as the upper pic.
- Lower right: Further down Miracle Pass
• CB is pausing at a flatter part of the slot
before another steep descent.
• Large pile of dead branches ...
Same area pointed by the white arrow
in photo #11's upper left pic
11) All 4 pics blow are looking back
and up the Miracle Pass.
- Upper left:
White arrow: Same area as the large pile
of dead branches in photo #10's
lower right pic
- Upper right:
Further down the slot and looking up
- Lower left:
• Similar scene as the upper right pic
• Top to bottom: Paul (me), CB, NC
- Lower right:
Photo taken near the bottom of the slot
Lower left: Photo by HT
12) At bottom of Miracle Pass.
- Left pic:
Looking back at the pass
connecting the top of the cliff to here
- Right pic:
• Facing the opposite direction
• White oval:
Same feature as the white oval
in photo #13
13) Looking back at the magnificent cliffs ...
We climbed down from there not long ago.
- Upper pic:
White oval:
Same feature as the white oval
in the previous pic
- Middle pic:
(Continuation to the right of the upper pic)
• Miracle Pass is somewhere there.
- Lower pic:
(Continuation to the right of the middle pic)
• CB ... in middle of the pic
To Pyramid Rocks
14) Forest scene ...
while walking towards Pyramid Rocks.
- The bush is quite open, easy to walk through.
- Left to right: CB, NC, HT
Rock #1 and Mark Anthony Slot
We come to a bunch of rocks.
For the purpose of this report,
I label all of them collectively as Rock #1.
15) Heading to Mark Anthony Slot.
- White ovals in both pics below:
They circle the same rock.
- Upper pic:
HT leading us to Mark Anthony Slot
- Lower pic:
• Photograph taken near
where HT was in the upper pic
• Left to right: HT, NC
• Red arrows:
Mark Anthony Slot entrance ...
Refer to photo #16.
16) At Mark Anthony Slot.
-33.30000 150.22034, GR 4118 1201
- It is possible to squeeze through the slot
from one end to the other ...
not today, some other day perhaps.
- Right pic: CB takes a look at the entrance.
- We'll pass Mark Anthony Slot again
on the return leg. And so, another look
at the slot is photo #53.
To Rock #2
After Mark Anthony Slot ...
17) Heading for Rock #2.
- Upper pic:
• Large rock on left half of the pic:
Rock #3 ...
YM and I climb this one in 2019-Jan,
from the back ...
Refer to photos #20 to #22.
- Lower pic:
(Continuation to the right of the upper pic)
• Middle of the pic:
CB leading into the gap,
followed by NC
• Rock #2 is just behind the large rock
to the left of the 2 guys
and can't be seen from here.
• Red arrow:
Same as the red arrow in photo #18
Rock #2
-33.30069 150.21838, GR 4100 1192
18) Rock #2.
- Upper pic:
• 2 red arrows, left to right:
1 Same as the red arrow in photo #17
2 Rock #2 ... We are going to climb it.
- Lower pic: NC ... At top of Rock #2
19) View from top of Rock #2 ...
Cliffs above Carne Creek ... in particular:
- Red oval: Miracle Pass
- 2 red arrow, top to bottom:
1 Pagoda we climbed in photo #2
2 Same as the red arrow
in photos #17 and #18
- Yellow arrows: Route to Pyramid Rocks
- Small yellow dot:
Our return trip is via the gully there.
Michelangelo & Rain Caves are located there.
2019 January - Rock #3
33.30089 150.21885, GR 4104 1190
In 2019-Jan, instead of climbing Rock #2,
YM and I climb up Rock #3, the large rock
on the left half of photo #17's upper pic.
(In that pic, we climb the rock from the back.)
20) I am at the top of Rock #3.
Photo by YM
21) View from top of Rock #3 ...
Facing the Great Pyramid.
YM and I will climb to its top !
22) Still at Rock #3.
- Upper pic: YM climbing up to the top of the rock
- Lower pic: YM climbing down
To Rock #4
(Back to the narrative of the 2017 October trip.)
On the way to Rock #4, we'll pass by
the side of the Great Pyramid.
23) The Great Pyramid is the rock in this pic.
- For now, we just pass by its side.
We'll find an easier way to climb it later.
- HT leading, following by NC
24) Passing the south-west face
of the Great Pyramid.
The pamorama below is a good summary
of what we'll do for the next hour
in both 2017-Oct and 2019-Jan trips.
25) (Photograph taken in 2019-Jan)
- Yellow oval (right edge):
Even though YM is facing the other way,
we are actually heading towards
the yellow oval right now ...
We'll go around the corner there.
- Then climb to the top of Rock #4
(red arrow on the right).
We'll climb it from the back.
- Then walk along the top of the ridge
to the base of the Great Pyramid
(gap on left half of the pic).
- In 2019-Jan, we'll climb to the top of
the Great Pyramid (red arrow on the left).
26) We are at the yellow oval of the previous pic.
- Upper pic:
• NC ... the guy in red
• Red arrow:
Same as the red arrow in photo #27
- Lower pic:
• A few steps forward
(compared to the upper pic)
• HT is leading, followed by NC and CB
27) Still at the yellow oval of photo #25.
(Photograph taken in 2019-Jan)
- Looking back at YM
- Red arrow:
Same as the red arrow in photo #26
28) Thelychiton speciosus,
formerly Dendrobium speciosum.
- Commonly name: Rock Orchids, Rock Lily
- Plenty of them around the Pyramid Rocks area
Photos by CB
After going around the yellow oval of photo #25,
we are now on the other side of Rock #4.
29) Compared to photo #25, this is
the other side of Rock #4.
- This panorama is a good summary of
what we are going to do next:
• Red arrow: Top of Rock #4
• Yellow arrows:
Route to climb to the top of Rock #4 ...
We are going there now.
• Red oval:
The Great Pyramid ...
We'll go there after climbing Rock #4.
Advancing further ...
Although we are on our way to Rock #4,
we have a perfect view of the Great Pyramid
and how we'll climb it.
30) View of the Great Pyramid,
and how we'll climb it.
- Upper pic:
• HT ... right edge.
• Red arrow: Top of the Great Pyramid
• Yellow arrows:
Our route to Rock #4 which is
just beyond the left edge of this pic.
- Lower pic:
• Red arrow: Top of the Great Pyramid
• Yellow arrows:
2017-Oct ... CB is the only guy
who climbs up the Great Pyramid.
The arrows are his route (approx).
2019-Jan ... Both YM & I
follow CB's footsteps, and
climb the Great Pyramid this way too.
• Both ascending & descending routes
are steep. But the descending route
seems easier for climbing up.
Rock #4
-33.30206 150.21964, GR 4112 1178
2nd highest point in the Pyramid Rocks area.
31) This is Rock #4.
- 2 red arrows: They point to the same area.
- Upper right pic:
• Left to right: CB, NC, HT
- Lower left: NC
- Lower right: CB, HT, NC
• At top of Rock #4
32) From top of Rock #4,
facing downstream of Carne Creek.
- Upper pic:
• This pic and the 3 pics in photo #33
form a 360-degree panorama.
• Middle of the pic, behind the trees:
The Great Pyramid.
You can't see it, but ...
- Lower pic:
... but if you step slightly away from the top,
you can see it better.
33) Panorama from top of Rock 4.
- Upper pic:
(Continuation to the right
of photo #32's upper pic)
• Small yellow dot:
Our return trip is via the gully there.
Michelangelo & Rain Caves
are also located there.
• Black square:
Same as the black square in photo #19.
We came from there.
Miracle Pass & the Pagoda in photo #2
are there too.
• Yellow oval: Rock #5
2017 Oct - Our group check out
its left (north) side only ...
Refer to photo #49.
2019 Jan - YM and I circumnavigate
the entire rock ... photos #49 to #51.
- Middle pic:
(Continuation to the right of the upper pic)
• Facing upstream of Carne Creek ...
south-ish
- Lower pic:
(Continuation to the right of the middle pic)
• Cliffs on the west side of Carne Creek
- Continuation to the right of the lower pic is
photo #32, completing a 360-degree panorama.
34) A huge Varanus varius (Lace Monitor).
- Found near top of Rock #4
- Including its long tail, it is taller than a person.
- It is not afraid of us,
allowing us to take copious of photos.
To the Great Pyramid
35) Now on our way to the Great Pyramid.
- Upper pic:
• Larger yellow circle:
The Great Pyramid is behind the trees.
• Smaller yellow circle:
We'll go through a short tunnel there
to the Great Pyramid ...
Refer to the lower pic.
- Lower pic:
NC ... Just passed through the tunnel
2017 October
Climbing the Great Pyramid
36) At the base of the Great Pyramid.
- Yellow arrows:
The way to climb up the Great Pyramid.
- CB ... At bottom of the pic
- NC ... Just above the middle yellow arrow ...
He is the first to have a go at climbing up.
But he gives up ...
at the small yellow dot in photo #37.
- Cyan dot between the bottom 2 yellow arrows:
In photo 38, YM is standing at this spot.
37) The Great Pyramid.
- Yellow arrows:
The way to climb up the Great Pyramid ...
along a sloping ledge.
- Yellow dot:
Where NC gives up the climb ...
At that point, it is quite challenging
to climb further up ...
Refer to photo #39.
- Red arrow:
After NC gives up, CB has a go.
He is successful. At where he is now,
the rest of the climb is easy.
I like to climb up the Great Pyramid too.
But I thought I let CB climb down first
to give us some tips on the climb.
Unfortunately, straight after CB climbs down,
the group decides to leave straight away.
And so I miss out on having a go.
Not to worry.
As this Pyramid Rocks area is an interesting place,
I know I will definitely repeat the trip again ...
2019 January - Climbing the Great Pyramid
... And sure enough, 15 months later,
2019 January, I am here again.
38) YM.
- Climbing up along the sloping ledge,
the yellow arrows of the previous pic.
- Left pic:
YM is at the small cyan dot of photo #36.
39) YM ... now at the small yellow dot
of photo #37.
- Not easy to climb up !
- Here, NC gives up in 2017-Oct.
As you can see from the previous pics,
it is quite challenging to climb up ...
Not for the faint hearted !
If you don't wish to climb up this way,
an alternative easier route
is the way we'll climb down later on.
Refer to photos #30 (lower pic) and #46.
40) YM ...
Now at roughly where CB was in photo #37.
- After the near-vertical climb of the previous pic,
the rest is easy 😊
2019 January - Top of the Great Pyramid
-33.30153 150.21930, GR 4108 1183
41) Highest point in the Pyramids Rocks area.
- YM and I
- Always an exhilarating moment
after a steep and exposed climb
like that in photo #39 😊
Lower pic: Photo by YM
360 panorama
from top of the Great Pyramid
Fantastic unobstructed 360-degree panorama
from top of the Great Pyramid ...
See photos below.
42) (from top of Great Pyramid)
Cliffs above Carne Creek ...
towards north-east.
- Upper pic:
• This is the black rectangle of
the lower pic ... We came from there.
• Yellow dot on left edge:
Return trip is via the gully there.
Michelangelo & Rain Caves
are located there too.
• Red arrow:
Pagoda we climbed in photo #2
• Yellow oval: Miracle Pass
- Lower pic:
• Black square: Refer to upper pic.
• Yellow dot:
Return trip is via the gully there.
Michelangelo & Rain Caves
are located there too.
• Yellow arrows: Route to Pyramid Rocks
• Yellow oval:
Rock #1 ...
Mark Anthony Slot & Cleopatras Needle
are there.
- The lower pic and the 3 pics in photo #43
form a 360-degree panorama.
43) (Continuation to the right of previous pic)
- Upper pic:
• Facing upstream of Carne Creek
• Yellow circle:
Rock #4 ... We just came from there.
- Middle pic:
(Continuation to the right of the upper pic)
• Cliffs on the west side of Carne Creek ...
centred towards south-west
- Lower pic:
(Continuation to the right of the middle pic)
• Facing downstream of Carne Creek
• Red bar: Mt Wolgan & Donkey Mountain
• Clearing in front of
Mt Wolgan & Donkey Mountain:
Where Carne Crk flows into Wolgan Rv
• Yellow circle: Rock #3
2017 Oct - We didn't go there.
2019 Jan - YM and I climbed it ...
Refer to photos #20 to #22.
- Continuation to the right of the lower pic
is photo #42's lower pic,
completing a 360-degree panorama.
Climbing down the Great Pyramid
In both 2017-Oct and 2019-Jan,
the way down the Great Pyramid
is different from the ascent route ...
Refer to photo #30's lower pic.
44) YM climbing down the Great Pyramid.
- Yellow arrows: Route to climb down
- White arrows in the 2 lower pics:
They point to the same rock.
- Cyan arrows in the 2 right-side pics:
They point to the same rock.
45) Further down the Great Pyramid.
- Upper pic:
• White arrow:
Same as the white arrows in photo #44
• Cyan arrow:
Same as the cyan arrow in the lower pic
and also in photo #44
- Lower pic:
• Red oval:
We use this log to help us down.
Though I suspect it maybe possible
to climb up/down without its help.
• Cyan arrow:
Same as the cyan arrow in the upper pic
and also in photo #44
The 2 pics below (photo #46)
are taken in 2017-Oct.
Whereas photos #44 and #45
are taken in 2019-Jan.
46) CB is climbing down the cliff face
(where YM & I climbed down in photo #45).
- HT is watching from below.
- The climb here looks scary.
But it is actually not too hard ...
Easier than the climb in photo #39.
- Red oval:
Same as the log in the red oval of prev pic.
Is the log naturally here ? Or did some
bushwalkers purposely place it here ?
- Cyan oval:
Same area as in photo #44's lower-right pic.
47) View of the Great Pyramid again ...
(Near where the previous pic was taken.)
The Great Pyramid from a different angle
48) We now leave the Great Pyramid, heading to Rock #5.
While on the way, we look back at this rock. Believe or not, it is the Great Pyramid ! ... from a different angle.
You should be able to match some features on the rock face with the ones in photo #30.
Rock #5
GR 412 118
2017 October - We only go pass the north side of Rock #5.
2019 January - YM and I circumnavigate the rock.
49) North-west side of Rock #5
50) South-ish side of Rock #5
51) North-east side of Rock #5
It doesn't look like this rock can be climbed :-(
Rock #1 and Cleopatras Needle & Mark Anthony Slot
Cleopatras Needle: GR 411 119
Mark Anthony Slot: GR 411 120
We are now back at the bunch of rocks which I label collectively as Rock #1 ... Refer to photo #15.
52) The vertical thin blade of rock is named as Cleopatras Needle. (Mark Anthony Slot is just behind it ... Refer to photo #53.)
- Upper right pic, left to right: Me, NC, HT (Photographer: CB)
- Lower pic, left to right: NC, CB
53) Mark Anthony Slot ~~~
- Red arrow: The slit is Mark Anthony Slot ... Also refer to photo #16.
- The guy in both pics below is NC.
This is it for the Pyramids Area.
We now go to the caves. First, retrace the steps back to the bottom of the cliffs (near photo #13), then walk along a ledge there heading north.
To cliffs above Carne Creek
54) In 2019 January, before reaching the cliffs, I suffer numerous episodes of cramps in both calves. Each time requires around 15 minutes of rest to recover. Most probably it is caused by the temperature, about 37 Celsius.
Moral of the story: It is silly to go walkabout in such a hot weather !
(Photographer: YM)
Cliffs above Carne Creek
(Back to the narrative of the 2017 October trip.)
55) On the way to the caves, we walk along a ledge by the side of the cliffs above the eastern side of Carne Creek.
- Lower pic, left to right: HT, me (Photographer: NC)
56) We come to an overhang ... interesting formation and colour. Grid Ref is 414 128.
- Upper pic: Me (Photographer: CB)
57) After walking through the hole in the previous pic, I look back at CB.
58) Still in the same area as the previous pic ~~~
- Left to right: HT & NC are studying the impressive cliff face. Further back is CB.
59) (Continuation to the right of previous pic)
Carne Creek flows horizontally from left to right across this pic.
The clearing near the right edge is the confluence of Carne Creek and Wolgan River.
60) Further along the ledge ~~~
- 3 cyan arrows in the 3 pics below: They all point to the same rock.
- Upper right pic: NC
- Upper left pic: NC walking through a gap
- Lower pic: Inside the gap of the upper right pic
• NC & HT studying the impressive cliff face ... Someone had cut through it with a bread knife :-)
To Michelangelo Cave
The ledge of the previous few photographs leads us to a gully. Michelangelo and other caves are somewhere up the gully.
61) Heading towards Michelangelo Cave ~~~
- Upper pic:
• Red arrow: Ceiling of Michelangelo Cave
• Cyan arrows: Route to Michelangelo Cave
• Left to right: NC, CB
- Lower pic: (Continuation to the right of the upper pic)
• 2 red arrows from left to right
1 Ceiling of Michelangelo Cave
2 The towering cliff in photo #66
62) We can see Michelangelo Cave now.
- Lower pic:
• Red arrow: Michelangelo Cave
• Left to right: HT, CB, NC
Michelangelo Cave
Also known as Gemini Cave
GR 415 129
63) Arriving at Michelangelo Cave ... HT leading, followed by CB and NC.
- Lower pic: Note there is a smaller cave to the right of the main cave. Hence this cave is also called Gemini Cave.
64) This is a magnificent cave !
- Upper pic: NC
- Lower pic, left to right: NC and me, the small figure at the back of the cave (Photographer: CB)
65) From the back of Michelangelo Cave, ie where I am sitting in the previous pic, and looking down ~~~
- Left to right: CB, HT
- Blue arrow: The way we climbed up to the cave (photos #62 and #63) ... We'll climb down the cave that way too.
66) Exploring the right side of Michelangelo Cave ~~~
- Yellow arrow: The cave
- Red arrow: The same cliff as the red arrow in photo #61's lower pic
67) At where the previous pic was taken, and facing the other side ~~~
- Red oval: Same as the red oval in photo #68
- Yellow arrows at bottom right hand corner: We came up the gully there, along a ledge at the base of the cliffs.
2019 January - Above Michelangelo Cave
In the 2019 January trip, my navigation was a bit off. I missed the turn-off to Michelangelo Cave, and end up above the Cave.
Actually my navigation wasn't too bad. The top of the cave and the inside of the cave have the same coordinates. From GPS point of view, they are of identical locations ... and I was navigating by GPS :-)
If at first you don't succeed, blame the GPS :-)
68) This is the view from above the Cave. The red oval here is the same as the red oval in the previous pic.
As mentioned in photo #54, in the 2019 January trip, I have many episodes of cramps in my calves. So now I'm too tired to climb back down to the Cave :-) For consolation ...
69) ... For consolation, I experience the marvellous panorama below (and the previous pic). I would have missed these views had I not climb up here :-)
- Upper pic: (Continuation to the right of previous pic)
• Cyan arrow: Carne Creek flows there.
• Yellow arrow: We came up the gully that way, along a ledge at the base of the cliffs.
- Lower pic: (Continuation to the right of the upper pic)
• White arrow: Same as the large pagoda rock in the middle of photo #72
To Rain Cave
(Back to the narrative of the 2017 October trip.)
70) On our way to Rain Cave, HT leading, followed by NC ~~~
- Yellow arrows: Our route
- Red oval: "The Governor" pagoda
- In this pic, Michelangelo Cave is on the right and behind The Governor.
- Cyan arrow: My route in 2019 Jan ... I missed the turn-off to Michelangelo Cave, and end up above the cave.
The top of the cave is at the far side of The Governor. Photos #68 and #69 were taken from there.
- Continuation to the right of this pic is photo #71.
71) (Continuation to the right of previous pic)
- Looking back at CB climbing up.
- Red oval: The Governor pagoda
72) This view greets us when we we reach the tip of the upper yellow arrow in photo #70.
- Large pagoda rock in the middle of the pic: We can see this rock in photo #69 (white arrow there in the lower pic).
- Yellow dot: Rain Cave is somewhere there.
- Yellow arrow: Route to Rain Cave
- Cyan arrows: In 2019 Jan, with the cramp, I cut short the trip, head directly back to the car instead.
73) Walking towards Rain Cave ~~~
- Left to right: HT, NC, CB
74) HT leading us to Rain Cave, followed by NC ~~~
- Red arrow: Rain Cave is somewhere under the cliff there.
Rain Cave
75) Rain cave is in the yellow circle, GR 416 130.
76) At Rain Cave ~~~
- Lower pic, left to right: NC, HT
77) Inside Rain Cave ~~~
- Left to right: HT, NC
- Continuation to the right of this pic is photo #78.
- Continuation to the left is photo #79.
78) The right side of previous pic ~~~
- Left to right: NC, HT, me (Photographer: CB)
79) The left side of Rain Cave ~~~
- Continuation to the right of this pic is photo #77.
Weather Cave
GR 416 131
80) At weather Cave, about 750 meters north of Rain Cave ~~~
- Red oval: The hole here is the same as the hole in the red oval of photo #81.
- NC is the guy in red.
81) Ceiling and back wall of Weather Cave ~~~
- Red oval: The hole here is the same as the hole in the red oval of previous pic.
Then it is just a short walk back to the car.
Flowers
82) Flowers encountered during the walk (Photographer: CB) ~~~
- Upper left: Bossiaea rhombifolia, a species in the pea family
- Upper right: Gompholobium glabratum, Dainty Wedge Pea
- Middle left: Patersonia sericea, commonly known as Purple Flag, Native Iris, Silky Purple Flag, Native Flag
- Middle right: Prostanthera incana, Velvet Mint Bush
- Lower left: Leucochrysum graminifolium, Pagoda Rock Daisy, only grows on the rocks of pagodas
- Lower right: Podolobium ilicifolium, Prickly Shaggy Pea
Comments
1)
Aside Michael Fox & Brain Fox's book,
out on the internet, there is no description
on how to reach the Pyramid Rocks,
and what is around that area.
This trip report and photographs should fix
this glaring lack of information ...
... A hike to the Pyramid Rocks
and a visit to the nearby caves
should be a must for any serious bushwalkers.
2)
I had visited
Michelangelo
Rain
Weather
Mist
Sand
Shovel
Caves earlier in 2015 May.
Photographs and trip report are in my blog:
http://mntviews.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/michelangelo-other-caves-and-flying.html
Thanks for the Post. this is amazing, I'm going to check it out.
ReplyDeleteMichelangelo Cave looks very nice.
is there a way down yo the rain cave from the rtack that runs north from the secret crag fire trail ? we scouted round above it on Sunday last 7th Sept 25 . there were rock cairns leading to a high cliff drop. possibly an abseil point ... is it easier to access it from Michaelangelo cave ? ..please phone me Jeff Dorset 0429 042999
ReplyDeleteThe above Anonymous must be the same Jeff Dorset who wrote this racist rant on a photograph that I posted to Facebook !!!
DeleteThat photograph was clearly captioned that it wasn't even taken by me !!!
See this link:
https://onemanadreaming.blogspot.com/2023/05/sunset-photo-accused-being-fake-by-jeff.html
The above Anonymous must be the same Jeff Dorset who wrote this racist rant on a photograph that I posted to Facebook !!!
ReplyDeleteThat photograph was clearly captioned that it wasn't even taken by me !!!
See this link:
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvA9o6ts15oaR7o3wam-Uk5s0Ux6lVzHFiFrsQK-Gf2y9ZojsupV2SI0wISghRNCve8SYguEyPOdKtpzQ0mhXtM82EhhaHW_27P_DMB940sf1SJcaayPHtsHltjkKed7VvbWWUcKteQNpE-UsADo-MtSrd1bpk6rBF5bMFbLu7Rvt57A/s1600/230419%20ScreenPrint,%20Kanangra-Boyd%20NP,%20by%20John%20Graham.jpg