Bushwalk Australia

wildwanderer wrote:Nice pics on the drop box.

Those spikes at taros look recently cemented. Can anyone confirm?

Are you referring to the photos from the dropbox link? IE, photos P4242324.JPG and P4242325.JPG? I notice any differences in those photos to how they've been in years past.

Thank you to the organisers for another year. Some great pics posted - thanks also. The Tambourine Bay Venturers, Scouts, and a Cub - really enjoyed the experience - some for a second time. The Venturers, in particular, enjoyed the challenge of walking in overnight from Dunphy's.

If the Park reopens in time, will there be a Dawn Service this year?

kimloane wrote:If the Park reopens in time, will there be a Dawn Service this year?

I was actually about to create a post and ask if anyone has an inside word on the Park reopening in time for this exact same reason.

Down here in the Illawarra a local Park Ranger has told me that most of the Parks will remains closed upon geo-technical advice, "until we have three weeks without rain."

Thanks. I don’t have any better inside word from Parks. Your inside word sounds pretty much like what I’d expect. Fingers crossed for finer weather.

I see that Parks have Dunphys on the list as open. Any word on the track through Mobbs and on to Splendour Rock? Has a call be made on the service going ahead this year?

I called the Blackheath Office just now. In relation to the the Wild Dogs I was told that, "..there are 78 areas awaiting assessment by Field Officers, Splendour Rock and the Wild Dog Mountains are one of them. We cannot give a time frame for assessment or re-opening. The website will be updated when we know anything more."

NPWS has updated to reflect what is closed - see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/vi ... cal-alerts

Access to and from Kanangra-to-Katoomba (K-to-K) from Medlow Gap to Katoomba due to closure of Narrow Neck plateau. Due to the ongoing wet conditions, the Coxs River can flood at short notice and may be impassable. Walkers should check conditions before departing.

My reading is that Dunphys to Splendour Rock is not closed.

keithj wrote:My reading is that Dunphys to Splendour Rock is not closed.

That was also my reading.

Bushwalking NSW have also just sent out an email that states: "NPWS have advised that the only access to Splendour Rock on Anzac day is via Mobbs Swamp." I think what they're trying to communicate is that access is from Dunphys. Off-track walking is now allowed, so the route over the Wild Dogs is also an available option. The only relevant closure is Narrow Neck, which remains closed.

Here's what they wrote to me on Wed. Good news. Not exactly sure what they mean by the Wild Dogs Route. Maybe it is the short steep climb from Yellow Dog Ridge Trail ~2k after Mobs Soak - up onto Mt Dingo.
I wrote to them to clarify but haven't had a response yet.
Kudos to them for prioritising the assessment of this area and opening it up.

"After assessment yesterday,
The ONLY access to Splendour Rock is via Mobbs Swamp. This is open.
The Wild Dogs Route to Splendour Rock remains closed.
Our website will reflect that the Blue Mountains NP is again open, but we will not be naming individual tracks or trails unless warranted."