by RobT » Thu 24 Sep, 2020 5:00 pm
Thanks all for your replies.
I got hold of Bruce Cameron's book "Blue Labyrinth" through inter-library loans, and have almost finished reading it. Would thoroughly recommend reading it if you are interested in the history of that part of the world.
I also did the trip. Started from the old Queen Victoria Hospital and walked to Glenbrook Train Station via Red Ridge, Erskine Creek, Pisgah Rock. The Erskine Creek section (including descent into the the gorge from the end of Red Ridge Fire Trail, and the ascent ending at Pisgah Rock) took me three days. The upper Erskine was slowest going - only did about 4 or 5 kms in one day (roughly 7 hours active). I found it got easier further downstream, and from about Pelham Creek I generally found the bank on the right-hand side (when facing downstream) to be the easier bank.
Most of Red Ridge was burnt out, but nothing burnt down at Erskine Creek, apart from a small section near the base of Mount Hall (and that didn't look too recent). Lots of flood debris to negotiate though... one night I camped on a sand bank that was 4 metres higher than what the current water level was!
Spectacular, rugged country and not a soul... So glad I did it. The early morning bird song at my last campsite was stunning.
Thanks to everyone who posted helpful information.