Windin Falls
Posted: Fri 11 Oct, 2013 7:05 pmI had seen some reference to these falls on the internet but didn't have much idea where they were except somewhere along the Old Cairns Track. As we had seen the start of the Old Cairns Track when we did Bartle Frere a few days ago, that seemed a reasonable place to start. We initially started walking from where the Old Cairns track leaves the road that goes to Bartle Frere and I followed it for two km, but it was hard stony road that was hurting my feet (still sore from Bartle Frere), and, yes I'm a sook, so, after two kilometres, I walked back and got our car while my partner walked another 2 km. At km 4.2, the road gets abruptly much rougher but there is a good place to park. We parked and walked on, the road is on a ridge and is mostly shady, but has been destroyed by 4WD'ers and has huge ugly deep mud bogs every so often - why is this road not gated? Anyway, we came to an obvious trail leaving to the right and took it, and, in 15 or 20 minutes were at the top of the falls. Very spectacular falls and a wonderful view up a pristine looking valley. We had a swim in the pool by the falls and then walked back up. I took more notice of the time on return and it was about 25 minutes from the falls back to the Old Cairns track and about 50 minutes on the Old Cairns track back to where we parked. I have read that there is other falls up there - Caribou, but I have no idea how to find them. Unfortunately, we don't have a topographic map so I am not even sure what creek the falls are on.
