The second canyon Su Li had organised for the weekend was Dargans Creek Canyon. The party was the same as saturday (Su Li, Brent, Dave W, Rob and myself) and also Ci’en and Chee Fong.
This was my first visit to the canyon since the bushfires and the walk down the creek was certainly very burnt out. With the ladder down the dam cliffs closed off, we went to the climbing area and set off down the creek bed. A short way downstream, we climbed up to the base of the cliff lines to join the old track down from the ladder. Despite everything being burnt, this was quite easy to follow and we soon made it to the start of the canyon.
The canyon is very quick, and I had time to pull out a tripod and try and get some decent photos of the best parts of the canyon formation. The canyon always seems to be very dark and gloomy and even with long exposure photos it is hard to do the canyon justice.
Since my last visit – there seem to have been some hydraulic changes to the streamed within the canyon. Some parts that were shallow are now swims and some of the old swims are now shorter. Canyons are dynamic environments and these things happen.
After the last and longest swim, it is not far to the exit up the side creek and then up the tree with spikes. These spikes have been in the tree for at least 50 years – and they still seem OK, except the tree has grown a bit and now the parts you stand on are not so long anymore.
More photos (and larger in size) can be viewed on my website here.
Hi Dave,
Nice pictures!
I was wondering if you know if camping and campfires in the amphitheatre as well as swimming in the dam are now prohibited?
Thanks.
It looks like swimming in the dam is still OK. Not sure about camping and fires – but probably OK?