Meander Bridges Replaced

[whiskeylover]

The two bridges that give access to the Split Rock Falls, Bastion Cascades, Dixons Track, Meander Falls track etc have been replaced with new concrete ones. Still a little tidying up to do, but they are open and a lot higher than the old ones so should'nt get washed away in a hurry.

[corvus]

Great news

[Tortoise]

+1 Thanks for the update! Thinking about heading up there in a few days.

[slparker]

You know if dogs are permitted on this walk? its been a few years since I walked it but it was state forest then, I'm sure. I'm looking for a walk with the dog.

[Eremophila]

Yay1 Something for our next return trip.

[north-north-west]

T'riffic. I've been wanting to re-do the loop for some time.

[DanShell]

Is it feasible to do an overnight walk in this area. Doing Meander falls on day one and walking out via split rock track on day 2?

If so is the split rock track still easy enough to follow? And where would be the best place to set up a couple of tents on the loop I'm suggesting?

Thanks for any help.

EDIT: Or if we walked out via the stone hut track, does that track go back down to the meander road that we would have driven in on?

[teak]

Hello Dan, you could do Meander falls Cleft rock (split rock on older maps) as a two day walk. There is a small clearing to camp just before base of falls, but the Cleft rock track involves a long boulder hop climb then a very steep descent back to the main car park. I would do it as a long day walk to avoid carrying a heavy pack. the attached photo shows the boulder field you climb from Meander river.

[ben.h]

Is it feasible to do an overnight walk in this area. Doing Meander falls on day one and walking out via split rock track on day 2?

If so is the split rock track still easy enough to follow? And where would be the best place to set up a couple of tents on the loop I'm suggesting?

Thanks for any help.

EDIT: Or if we walked out via the stone hut track, does that track go back down to the meander road that we would have driven in on?

Meander Falls/Split rock circuit is only a day walk (and not a long day at that). I did it 10 or so years ago now so my memory could be wrong but I think it was less than 6 hours with breaks, photos, etc.

[MrWalker]

Is it feasible to do an overnight walk in this area. Doing Meander falls on day one and walking out via split rock track on day 2?

If so is the split rock track still easy enough to follow? And where would be the best place to set up a couple of tents on the loop I'm suggesting?

Thanks for any help.

EDIT: Or if we walked out via the stone hut track, does that track go back down to the meander road that we would have driven in on?

Meander Falls/Split rock circuit is only a day walk (and not a long day at that). I did it 10 or so years ago now so my memory could be wrong but I think it was less than 6 hours with breaks, photos, etc.

I did the circuit in January this year. I'm normally fairly fast, but it took over 6 hrs, partly due to my son taking quite a few photos. The track seemed a bit rough from not being used enough recently. More people need to get up there.

When climbing up the boulder field on the way back, we were mislead by a cairn near the start that headed us to the left, but led nowhere. If you get a choice of cairns, take those on the right (when facing uphill). The tracks were a bit of a maze when we got off the boulder field, but you soon get onto the main track, which is well marked. But you need to know where you want to be, to make sure you get the split rock falls side trip.

[DanShell]

Thanks very much for the info. Sounds like we can get there late and be home again early the next day.
Any info on the stone hut and getting back to the road? We can take two cars up.

[teak]

Stone Hut is actually a cave formed by a rock overhang, similar to the attached photo (which is Crowdens Croft in the same area.) Stone Hut is guarded by the chaps in the other photo. Some maps incorrectly show Croft track joining Cleft Rock track to Stone Hut track, the scanned maps in Listmap are more accurate. If you wish to walk between Cleft Rock (split rock ) and Stone hut use Dell Track, the Stone Hut track joins the main road into the Meander Falls between the two bridges.

[DanShell]

Stone Hut is actually a cave formed by a rock overhang, similar to the attached photo (which is Crowdens Croft in the same area.) Stone Hut is guarded by the chaps in the other photo. Some maps incorrectly show Croft track joining Cleft Rock track to Stone Hut track, the scanned maps in Listmap are more accurate. If you wish to walk between Cleft Rock (split rock ) and Stone hut use Dell Track, the Stone Hut track joins the main road into the Meander Falls between the two bridges.

Thanks thats the info I was looking for Would you take two cars (we live near by) or do the boring walk on the road around to the meander falls car park?? It looks like about 5 klms so I guess thats a decision we need to make!

And just to really pick your brain, what direction would you go? Meander falls first then across to split rock track or go up split rock and then over the falls?? The Dell track looks like it may contain some good camping areas??

[teak]

If I was doing the Stone hut, Dell, Cleft Rock, Meander Falls circuit I would start by going up to Stone hut due to the easier climb up through the forest and then down the boulder field in my earlier photo to Meander Falls. Leave a car at both ends to save boring plod along road. If you chose the other circuit Meander Falls Cleft Rock you will end up where you started so no need for two cars, I would do this walk first to Meander Falls then Cleft Rock as the track is very steep through Cleft Rock area. Should be good camping somewhere along the Dell Track section better after rain as the little creeks would be dry now. Meander Falls too are better after heavy rain as they can be a little sparse when dry.

[DanShell]

Thanks Teak
I think we will leave a car at the start of the split rock track (or as close to the start as we can get one?) and leave one at the Meander falls start.

We will go up the split rock track and across the Dell track. We will try and find a good camping spot along the Dell track, depending on what side trips we do. We may pop up to Bastion Bluff for a look if the weathers nice.

And then on the second morning we will tackle the rock field and go back out via Menader Falls and MF's track.

Is there anything else of interest you think we should deviate to look at, seeing as we should have plenty of time. Although we like to set up camp reasonably early and take in the serenity while partaking in some fine whiskey so long days are not on the agenda

[teak]

I think you mean the Stone Hut track not Split Rock. The Stone hut track starts about 150 metres on the right past the first new bridge. It starts as a four wheel drive track to an old gravel pit, but may be a bit overgrown. The walk up onto Bastion Bluff is worth doing in clear weather, look at the scanned maps in Listmap to see how the tracks join up. the attached photo is from the top of Bastion Bluff (on a not clear day) the Dell track runs through the middle ground and off to the right to join Meander Falls track.

[DanShell]

Yeh stone hut track! We are looking forward to it. We live so close but have never been in the area.

[DanShell]

Ok so we are definitely heading up there this weekend.

If any bush walk.com members would like to join us you are more than welcome. It would be a good walk for beginners like us and a relaxed introduction to overnight walks. And likewise we are open to experienced walkers teaching us a thing or two
We are going to go up the Stone Hut track, across the Dell track to Cleft Rock track then back out via the Meander Falls track.
The whole walk will only be around 10-15 kms. We may drop our packs and head up to Bastion Bluff if the weather is kind to us. The weather forecast is predicting possible showers so that could mean anything.

We (me) are very slow and steady especially going up the hills....its like ten steps up, rest, 10 more, rest again etc The start of the track might be a bit rude for some in regards to steepness and there is a 'fun' boulder field to negotiate but once again slow and steady gets you anywhere.

PM me if your interested or if you need to know anything. It would be fun to meet some new like minded people, especially newbies like us. Oh and we dont mind a little drop of moonshine type liquids at camp overnight but its all very sensible and in the spirits (pardon the pun!) of laughs

Also we are of the harmless variety of chaps...........

This being Ben, he is young and has so much to learn about life.........

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And this would be me, I am older, chubbier, far more handsome and love making up stories about life for Ben......

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[north-north-west]

We (me) are very slow and steady especially going up the hills....its like ten steps up, rest, 10 more, rest again etc

Step slower and avoid the stops.

It's far more efficient to walk slow enough that you don't need to stop, even if that means virtually crawling. You'll get up quicker overall and will build up a bit more fitness.

[walkabout]

Enjoy your walk Dan - would love to join you but have other plans for the weekend.

NNW - wise words indeed. When in the Himalaya (many years ago now) I struggled with the steep slopes just like Dan is describing. My guide parked himself in front of me and said 'follow me'. He took very small steps (I have very short legs) and moving very slowly he zig zagged up the hills at a snails pace. Result - I didn't need to keep stopping to catch my breath and actually started to make headway.

[DanShell]

Thanks for the tips ladies. I have been trying the smaller step thing and I agree. Im probably exaggerating my lack of ability to get up hills just so if someone who comes along runs up hills they dont wonder where I have got too

Walkabout, I would say the track we walked on a few months ago is a lot different now after all the fires It will be interesting to see its progression in bouncing back over the next year or so.

[walkabout]

I've not had the heart to go back up to the plateau or plains yet. It is going to be very sad to see the damage, me thinks.

[DanShell]

A small group of us bush walk.com members met up and did a little walk in the area. Parks had closed down the Stone Hut Track but we compromised and spent a nice night at the falls. It was only a small walk but it was nice to meet some new like minded people

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[north-north-west]

Never seen the falls that low. Whenever I've gone up there that campsite has been under at least three inches of water.

[Chris]

A small group of us bush walk.com members met up and did a little walk in the area. Parks had closed down the Stone Hut Track but we compromised and spent a nice night at the falls. It was only a small walk but it was nice to meet some new like minded people

As one of those who accepted the invitation thanks to Danny for a thoroughly enjoyable walk and camp with great company .

[L_Cham_67]

Hi all. I was looking for clarification on the campsite near the base of Meander Falls. Is it easy to locate? Is it big enough for 2-3 tents?

[DanShell]

Hi all. I was looking for clarification on the campsite near the base of Meander Falls. Is it easy to locate? Is it big enough for 2-3 tents?

The photo above is that camp site. Its not right at the base of the falls but only 50-100mtrs away. And yes you walk straight past it on the way to the falls.

[L_Cham_67]

Thanks DanShell!