Bushwalk Australia

There are lots of routes on offer for climbing Mt Ironstone. Having last climbed it in 1988, and via Syds Track (and on skis), I thought it would be good to reclimb it in 2017 using a different approach, to do it in walking boots, and to carry a camera. Smoko Creek route was the one we chose, and a really beautiful way it was too, especially on a hot day that allowed swimming for my hardy bushwalking buddy and friend. I took photos. Here is one that gives you an idea. For more route description and photos, visit my blog http://www.natureloverswalks.com/mt-ironstone/

Typo in your link Louise.

Thanks so much for alerting me to that cams. I believe it is now corrected.

Great write up !
Has any one done Ironstone via Smoko lately? Is Chasm falls crossing passable?

cheers,
Ben

stoffy wrote:Has any one done Ironstone via Smoko lately? Is Chasm falls crossing passable?

Chasm Falls crossing was closed when we were there in mid-December. I have not heard any reports that the bridge has been replaced.

MrWalker wrote:

stoffy wrote:Has any one done Ironstone via Smoko lately? Is Chasm falls crossing passable?

Chasm Falls crossing was closed when we were there in mid-December. I have not heard any reports that the bridge has been replaced.

Thanks MrWalker,
Was there a detour that you took?

stoffy wrote:

MrWalker wrote:

stoffy wrote:Has any one done Ironstone via Smoko lately? Is Chasm falls crossing passable?

Chasm Falls crossing was closed when we were there in mid-December. I have not heard any reports that the bridge has been replaced.

Thanks MrWalker,
Was there a detour that you took?

No. We just wanted to see the lower, middle and upper chasm falls, so we didn't need to go further.
I believe the official route at present is via Stone Hut Track.

I went to Smoko Rd. today and there is a sign stating that Ironstone Track is closed from its junction with Mother Cummings Track all the way up to the Dell Track junction. The sign suggests getting to Ironstone via Stone hut then down Dell Track to pick up the track above the closed section. I would rather go via Stone hut track to the Dell then up Bastion Bluff track and across the plateau to Ironstone.

There is a similar sign at start of teh 4WD track from the quarry carpark for Stone Hut/Bastion Cascades track, in case someone might plan to do a circuit of Stone Hut to Chasm Falls. So if you check for signs you won't be caught partway round a circuit and unable to continue.
Although the signs say the track is closed, the only issue is that the bridge at the top Chasm Falls is missing.

Hi all

Just spoke with PWS who concurred re MrWalker's previous comment, in that the only issue is the timber walking bridge being down. They advised that we could still walk that track/route, and that a short alternate pad has developed to navigate via the location of the bridge. And being that water levels are very low it shouldn't be a challenge to pass through...

Also, is there a summit trig on Ironstone? ie so that once on the plateau it is easily discernible where to head towards if self-navigating across the plateau.

Thanks

I walked to the lower,middle and upper Falls today,the track still has closed signs on it!No reason why it couldn’t be open to the upper Falls as the old log bridge over the Chasm(no longer there) is past the upper Falls!
You can bypass the chasm by continuing to walk up the right hand side of the creek for another 100m or so until a safe place is found to cross and rejoin the track to Ironstone!
Don’t know why parks don’t put another little bridge over the chasm!its only about 4-5 metres across maximum,just needs a pre fabricated walkway dropped across it.