Date: Sunday 21st February 2016
Description/Location: The Ruined Castle Blue Mountains, NSW
Leaders: Joby & John Mitchell
Report: Jane Munro, John & Joby Mitchell
Images: Margaret Madden, John Mitchell, Joby Mitchell, Elly Rands
Map Ref: Jamison 8930-N, Katoomba 8930-S
Date: Sunday 21 February 2016 Description/Location: (Main group –Option A) Golden Stairs to the Ruined Castle Blue Mountains. (Option B) Discover Scenic World triple feature. Leaders: Joby & John Mitchell Report: John & Joby Mitchell & Jane Munro Images: Margaret Madden, John Mitchell, Johanna Mitchell, Elly Rands. Map Ref: Jamison 8930-N, Katoomba 8930-S Blue Mtns National Park.
26 participated in Sunday’s walk; comprising of member’s and visitors, with one visitor joining up as a member on the day and he looks forward to joining in on many more activities.
Ruined Castle: Golden Stair carpark to the Ruined Castle and return.
Time: 4 hrs; Distance: 10.8 km; Ascent: 220m 360 degree views from the top of the Ruined Castle, one of the best day walks in the Blue Mountains.
The Ruined Castle is a large rocky outcrop, with boulders forming typically a castle affect. They are on the ridge that runs from Castle Head, off Narrow Neck peninsula to Mt. Solitary in the Blue Mountains National Park.
Sunday’s option “A” for members was the via access to the Golden Stair carpark from Cliff Drive Katoomba, turn onto Glenraphael Drive 1.8klm of dirt road out along Narrow Neck. Cars were left at the small car parking area at the top of the Golden Stairs.
The Golden Stairs descend steeply and quickly to join the Federal Pass walking track. On the way down you can look out across to the Landslide (named dogface), which was formed in 1931 when a large section of cliff fell away. As the fog was starting to lift members could see this area. Members turned right here to join the Federal Pass and the track then leads along an old shale railway, which was used to haul shale from mines out near the Ruined Castle.
This section of the walk was very enjoyable, the track winding through a rainforest, with leeches in abundance to keep us all moving quickly.
After approx. 5 klm the track quickly climbs to a saddle area at the top of the ridge a large collection of rocky boulders perch predominantly– this is the ‘Ruined Castle’ and a great spot for members to have their lunch. Getting up onto these rocks was via a narrow slot which was quite a challenge. Thankfully we had some of our super-walkers to assist us and after some of us initially thinking it couldn’t be done, all members of the group made it up to the top.
Here we had stunning 360 degree views, but finding a spot to sit and eat was difficult as there were members of several other groups, including members of the Bush Club, formed in 1939 by the legendary bushwalking pioneers, Marie Byles and Paddy Pallin. We let them know who we were and invited them to come out to Mudgee for a walk with us.
The return journey followed the same path as we arrived by and that of course meant a very steep climb up to the car park. Everyone made it, one of us rather slowly and with assistance from another member who carried her pack. At the car park some conducted leech inspections and found a few hitch hikers who’d come up with us from the valley floor. We made contact with the “B” group and all found out that they too had had a great day.
Option B (Discover Scenic World)
Members headed off to discover the options that were on offer by Scenic World:
The cableway to the boardwalk can carry up to 84 persons, so through the fog we descended 545 metres to the Jamison valley floor; on route in deep fog spectacular sunrays highlighted the orphan rock. The boarded
walkway on the valley floor provided an easy walk and the signage depicting the type of trees; height and age, and their rate of growth per year was very informative.
A quick ride back to the top via the cableway saw members needing a top up of tea/coffee before meeting with the next challenge the Scenic Railway; (noted for being the steepest passenger train in the world – (with a 52degree incline). Some members took this in their stride while some members and not to name them held on tight and closed their eyes and screamed all the way down and also on the return journey. So all that was left was to the conquer the Scenic Skyway: again as occupants were able to see the excellent views and also the valley floor by looking down through the glass floor, all but one were enjoying the views while just one kept ‘her’ eyes closed for the journey over but did manage to open them just ever so slightly on the return. The skyway goes from one cliff top across to the other and at 270metres above the valley floor and is the highest cable car in Australia.
On the Scenic rides; staff provide a running commentary on the area, and interesting aspects of the Blue Mountains and of the three sister’s Meenhi, Wimlah and Gunnedoo.
After a stroll through the pathway back to the meeting point via a lookout the group then settled back to wait for the main group to return from their hike to the Ruined Castle.
Until Next Time…….BE Safe BE Seen & Walk with a Club.