Date: Sunday 31st May 2015
Description/Location: The 6 Foot Track
Leader: Michael Papworth
Report: Jane Munro
Pictures: Jane Munro
20 people assembled at the start of the 6 Foot Track section at the floor of the Megalong Valley below Blackheath. Despite wet weather in Mudgee, the Blue Mountains forecast, which had promised dry weather and possibly some sun, held true throughout the day. Michael started the walk by giving a brief history of the 6 Foot Track, which was a bridle trail providing access to Jenolan Caves from Katoomba, built in the late 1880’s. The full length of the track is a three day walk, and we were walking the middle section.
Several had walked the track a number of times in the past, and it was great to be with them as they revisited their previous experiences. The track was well marked and along the way we encountered quite a few walkers coming from the Katoomba end. The track started out in gum tree forest, and undulated over moderate hills and valleys. It passed through, around and over the huge rounded granite boulders, which also provided dramatic photo opportunities. One such boulder harboured a colony of dozens of wasp nests, which seasoned walkers recalled seeing many years ago.
A very pretty creek followed the track along the first section, and the fences were crossed either by climbing over stiles, or through very old gates, which looked as if they must have dated from the original days of the track. From the crests of the hills we had majestic views of the escarpment and surrounding farm lands, from where a great number of photos were taken.
As we gradually descended towards the valley floor, we became aware of the sound of rushing water as the Coxs River appeared far below us. This was our destination and in hot weather would be extremely enticing to walkers. We could see the broad river bed with granite boulders smoothed and water worn into fascinating shapes. On the way down, Michael looked for a cairn of rocks, which he had built many years ago, to mark the spot where he and his family would leave the track and walk down to the Coxs River to camp. Against the odds, he did actually find the pile of rocks, fairly overgrown but still recognisable.
Eric was well prepared and tried some fishing, hoping for a trout, which unfortunately eluded him. Our experienced 6 Foot Track walkers told us about encounters with abundant black snakes, and trout dinners, neither of which were part of our experience this time around.
After about 2 hours of walking we reached our destination, the suspension bridge, where we had our lunch. Most of us tried the experience of walking across the river, at quite a height, on the narrow wire structure, which swayed disconcertingly with every step.
After lunch we set a good pace back up the gorge to ensure we got back to the cars ready for the drive up the narrow winding road to Blackheath, well before dark. On the way back up the track, we became aware of the most extraordinary bird call, strong and melodious, unique and striking, going on and on for quite a long time. We were then delighted to see a lyre bird run across the track, after which the song resumed.
The walk back up the gorge was quite demanding, but all arrived back at the cars with feelings of great satisfaction at having enjoyed a wonderful walk, and for some of us, revived memories of lovely times in the past. There we met up with Joby, who had been exploring an overgrown historic cemetery at the start of the walk. There she had found a single headstone, surrounded by iron fencing. The headstone recorded the deaths of Thomas Laughlin (died 1912), his daughter Alice (died 1910) and his grand-daughter Jennifer (died 2004).
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