Kowmung River Walk – 17-18 February 2014

Another birthday weekend – this time both Dan and Sarah had birthdays to celebrate – and wanted to celebrate in the bush.

Our original intention was to do a two day canyoning trip – down King George Canyon and then along Explorers Brook and back up lower Thunder Canyon – a great trip. But not one well suite to the weather forecast. We met up at Blackheath – and after some discussion and during heavy rain – we set off for Kanangra Walls – our walk was going to be to the Kowmung River.

Sarah had never been through the Bulga-Denis Canyon and was keen to visit that part of the Kowmung River.

We arrived at the Walls and set off about around 11 am for the Bullhead Range and Cambage Spire. For most of the walk to the river we were shrouded in mist. We had a late lunch, on a bump just before Cambage Spire and arrived on the river about 3 pm. The river was very low. Very low indeed! Perhaps as low as I can recall? It was like there bad drought of the early 80’s. In many places the river had ceased to flow – at least on the surface. Perhaps there was some underground flow? There were some reasonable pools and they did look clean.

So with the low water level we did make very good time walking downstream. Crossing the river was particularly easy. And this part of the Kowmung River needs a lot of crossings to avoid bluffs. The river cobbles were extremely greasy however – and you had to be careful to avoid falling over.

We stopped in a few places for swims. The pools were very pleasant.

So was the river – despite the low levels and lack of the usual sparkling rapids. The Kowmung in all its moods always has a special beauty. Crystal clear pools, the hanging she oaks and river gums, the grassy banks, the cobbles.

Our campsite was Orange Bluff. The usual verdant grassy flats were somewhat browned off.

On Sunday, we continued down the river – along what is perhaps the most pleasant and easy section of the river to walk – down to Roots Ridge. One last crossing and then up the steep climb to Gingra Range and then along to the Coal Seam Cave for lunch. And then back across the tops in more thick mist to the Kanangra Walls carpark. A longish but very pleasant walk in magnificent country.

More photos on my website here.