Westmorland Falls track recent info please

[Chris]

I'm looking for somewhere to take a visitor with some mobility problems on Monday.

Westmorland Falls looked very promising until I saw Gerry Dukes' report mentioning several potentially slippery creek crossing. As the track was being up-graded when he wrote the report, probably earlier this year, I wondered whether anyone knows if the creek crossings are now less likely to be a problem. Otherwise we'll go back to Cradle and walk round Dove Lake again; beautiful, but would be nice to go somewhere new, also not have to drive quite as far.

We've done Liffey Falls recently, also Crater Lake circuit, but that was a bit too ambitious.

[GerryDuke]

I was up there about a month ago Chris. The last creek crossing was still a little difficult - only 60 metres or so from the falls. The water level is likely to have dropped now - no need for the bridge maybe. The walk to there is very satisfying just the same. A very pretty walk.

Gerry

[GerryDuke]

Photos tell the story!!

THE LAST CROSSING

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ONE OF THE NEW CROSSINGS

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This is one of the great walks. Why isn't it signposted?

Gerry

[Chris]

Many thanks for the info Gerry. We went in and were delighted to have done so; a superb walk through fern glades which we had completely to ourselves.
It was great to see the lovely old stone trackwork, which has so much more character than duckboarding (with apologies to Parks, as I do appreciate duckboarding at times).
Will add some of my photos, though not as impressive as yours. Unfortunately it clouded over before we reached the falls, but mine will at least show conditions on the day.
It was interesting to see that both Westmorland and Montana Falls info is somewhat obscured (though still readable) on the Mole Creek board. I wonder what the official advice is to those enquiring at the P&W office? Is Montana also worthwhile and accessible?

Westmorland Falls 26/10/09

Stone steps,Westmorland Falls track

Fern glade, Westmorland Falls track

[GerryDuke]

One of the great walks Chris. Montana Falls can be accessed from 40deg South Salmon Farm. Access from the southern side of the river has been fenced off. There is a lower cascade a few hundred metres from the farm and the falls proper are another 200 metres further up stream.

MONTANA FALLS - detail

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MONTANA FALLS

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MONTANA FALLS

1011-MONTANA-FALLS-306.jpg (91.26 KiB) Viewed 7537 times

Gerry

[johnw]

One of the great walks Chris. Montana Falls can be accessed from 40deg South Salmon Farm. Access from the southern side of the river has been fenced off. There is a lower cascade a few hundred metres from the farm and the falls proper are another 200 metres further up stream.

Hi Gerry, I went looking for the access to these falls in August without success. My research indicated something about private property blocking the way and I wondered if the salmon farm had something to do with it. Do you have to pay the entry fee to walk to the falls?

[GerryDuke]

From memory the entry fee was $10 which included smoked salmon tasting. An interesting place which includes the Ginseng crop.

Gerry

[johnw]

From memory the entry fee was $10 which included smoked salmon tasting. An interesting place which includes the Ginseng crop...

Thanks Gerry. Added to my "to do" list for a future trip.

[Ent]

Hi Chris

Probably a bit far but Russell Falls might be an option. The loop from the camping ground to the falls is high quality with stairs. The only issue is the track from the top of Russell Falls to the bottom is closed for additional work so you might need to back track or be sign blind. It could be tackled in three sections so depending on how your visitor goes you can do the more vigorous sections. With all the rain the three falls look fantastic.

Cheers Brett

[Chris]

Probably a bit far but Russell Falls might be an option.

Thanks Brett, it is a bit far for a day trip, but perhaps next time she's here we might go down south. Duck Reach to First Basin might be wiser next time though; WF was great but very challenging for my companion, which is sad as she is a former Cradle Ranger.
You've reminded me that I've only been to Russell Falls once, and that was many years ago, so it's now on my mental "do again some time" list,

[Ent]

Here is photograph that might encourange the trip sooner rather than later. I think it is Horsefalls. One of the three falls on the trip from the Car park to the visitor centre

Cheers Brett

[GerryDuke]

I spoke to one of the locals at Mole Creek today. I was told that the Westmoreland Falls track was affected by the recent rain.

Looked up the Parks web site.

"The Westmoreland Falls Track near the Wet Cave Reserve has also been extensively damaged and is closed until further notice. Staff inspecting the area said that the track and bridges are all gone with the creek now a wide river."

The road in was virtually impassable.

WET CAVE ROAD, 17th JANUARY

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Gerry

[dtasker]

According to the lady who operates the Honey and Ice creamery in Chudleigh, there was a serious mudslide at the falls.
She said, quote" Westmoreland Falls was wiped out on Friday (14th Jan 2011) after that heavy rain by a mudslide"
Of course the falls themselves are created when water flows over hard underlying rock so it is doubtful that the falls themselves are "wiped out" more likely the surrounding rainforest.
I would appreciate any definite info on this as I was planning a walk. As always my timing is impeccable

dtasker AT netspace DOT net DOT au

[ghosta]

Will be interesting to see if the water in the creek feeding Westmoreland falls will eventually uncover the original falls. But I guess its a moot point to a degree, the track in is unlikely to be reinstated.

[GerryDuke]

I spoke to Parks and Wildlife Mole Creek today. I was advised that the track has been virtually all destroyed. The good news is that the falls themselves are still in tact. The main flood came down a tributary of the main stream about 100 metres below the falls. The crossing shown in the 1st picture of this post. The last creek crossing before the falls. Experts are assessing the whole situation.

It looks like there had been a build up of debris above the location with water build up behind it which finally gave way sending a torrent down the creek. Just conjecture.

Gerry

[Davo1]

Westmoreland track is now in good shape. New bridges etc.
viewtopic.php?f=9&t=12640

Montana Falls are nice and can be accessed through Foresty land on the eastern side of the river off Leonards Roads. The old access near the corner has been closed as it is on private land, you need to go further up the road.