Sunday 17th January 2016 DEEP PASS CANYON- DANGERS AND DELIGHTS

Date: Sunday 17th January 2016

Mudgee bushwalking club’s most energetic and adventurous walkers were able to test their skills and fitness at Deep Pass Canyon last weekend. The lower reaches of the Canyon, on the Newnes Plateau outside Lithgow, are suitable for most bushwalkers, while the steeper sections demand a strong body and an adventurous spirit. So, Deep Pass Canyon promised a good day in the bush for all 25 members of our group. In fact it’s a bit of a Club favourite and finds its way into the walks schedule every couple of years or so.
Right from the start, nature obliged with some surprises and treats. On arrival at the camping area, which is very popular with canyoners, we were greeted by the distinctive call of the Gang Gang cockatoo. The male’s brilliant, vibrant red head made it easy to pick out among the trees, and we were able to approach close enough to also see its mate, the plainer brown-grey female. This pair of birds was not at all timid and proved to be good photography subjects.
Another uncommon sight we were lucky enough to see was the bower of the male Satin Bowerbird. This delicate construction of fine twigs, standing on end, was enhanced by the addition of a “welcome mat” of bright blue objects- a blue hair ribbon, some fragments and strands from a blue tarp, blue plastic bottle caps, and pieces of blue synthetic rope, all laid out to entice and charm the female.
Snakes are not commonly observed on our bushwalks. Of course we know they are there, but they usually keep out of our way. On Sunday, though, there was a very special appearance – a decent sized tiger snake, sunning itself on the track as we made our way, in single file, towards the entrance to the canyon, along a narrow path through thick waist-high vegetation. This of course is a serious snake, so we were glad we spotted it whilst it was still a few metres in front of us. We watched it for a while, wondering what to do, as it was blocking the path. Clearly, it was watching us as well, and those closest jumped in alarm when it suddenly moved, but it was darting to safety off the path, disappearing into the densely growing ferns.
We continued on, not without some nervousness. Entering the cool, shaded canyon was like entering a natural cathedral. The little creek, its bright clear waters flowing over a sandy bed formed from the eroded cliffs of the canyon, ran along next to the track. We were delighted to see little fishes darting about. Trees with impossibly long, slender trunks pushed up towards the narrow stripe of sky, reaching for the light. These were crowned by small clusters of broad, glossy leaves, which capture the sunlight which feeds and sustain these fragile plants. Looking up to admire the trees, and marvel at their tenacity in their quest for life, we were showered with a fine mist of water dropping down from the roof and walls of the canyon towering above us. The canyon walls were dramatic, sculpted by flood waters over millions of years, the curved surfaces capturing the energy of countless deluges.
We all walked as far as the base of the first waterfall. Here there was a very cold, deep pool, which would have been very inviting in hot weather. From that point, a group of adventurers pressed on, with the promise of two more waterfalls higher up the canyon. This demanded climbing with ropes, which are fixed to the walls of the canyon. Those of us who stayed behind were able to rest and enjoy the tranquility and beauty of our surroundings, and the children were able to have fun catching tadpoles.
Not all our adventurers returned unscathed. One had lost his footing whilst negotiating a tricky traverse around a large, slippery boulder, and had fallen into a deep pool. He was drenched from head to toe in the chilly waters, scratched and scraped, but survived to tell the tale.
After what would have been a chilly walk out of the canyon for our waterlogged friend, we were all thoroughly warmed up by the fairly steep climb back up through the dry forest to where the cars were parked. There we gathered to refresh ourselves, change out of wet boots and clothes, and go over the highlights of the day. There was plenty to talk about after a bushwalk which had “something for everyone”, before we all headed back to Mudgee.