Solomons Throne to King Davids Pk to Wild Dog Creek campsite

[paul8]

In Walls of Jerusalem Nat Pk, how easy is it to walk on top of the wall from Solomons Throne to King Davids Peak, then down to Wild Dog Creek camping area?
And by the way, any idea when will the access road to Walls of Jerusalem Nat Pk be open? Can't Wait !

[philm]

The walk from Solomons Throne to King Davids Peak is straight forward and has some great views. Assuming the weather is good then it is an easy walk from memory will take about 30 minutes.
I have not walked down from King David's peak to Wild Dog but I believe the direct route down would be difficult due to cliffs and steep walls. We met some people who instead of taking a direct route down went North West and then made it to Wild dog. This route is not as steep as you will see from the map extract below which shows the peak and wild dog camp at top left (North west)

King davids.JPG (98.98 KiB) Viewed 8524 times

[Nuts]

Edited: You'll need a key if you are heading in from the west to access the detour (see other info on this site), can you let us know how this process goes for you is that's the way you go?

[Walk_fat boy_walk]

As Phil says it is easy along the tops. The alternative route off the summit he mentions looks good but I can't verify, but if you backtrack slightly from KDP towards Solomon's there is a gully you can scramble down to avoid going all the way back via Damascus Gate. I haven't done it but walked past it plenty of times... I recall thinking that it would be easier going up than down. I think Chapman's notes describe it ( )

[Son of a Beach]

I've been up and down that West Wall gully as a teenager. In hindsight, I would suggest that it should be avoided because it is unstable scree, and people using could damage the area very fast. However, you are right... it was easier going up than it was going down.

I found the direct descent from KDP to Wild Dog Creek to be fairly straightforward if you're OK with a little climbing and a bit of tree-hugging. It is quite steep, and a little scrubby, so care is required in some of the trickier spots.

The walk along the top is very straightforward, mostly flat and easy, and there is even a pad to follow for most of the way.

[Scottyk]

It's an easy route but not an offical track so pws wouldn't want too much info posted online

[Nuts]

It seems a better long term option of the two but yes, they do only encourage one way up and down, easier to go back anyway.

[bauera]

As philm suggests you can go west from KDP by continuing along the tops. I don't think this would qualify as sensitive as most of the route is pretty much over rock. There is even a bit of a pad and a cairn or two. When you get to the obvious moraine gully, as shown on the map picture posted by philm, you just make your way down the gully on the boulders. It's very easy as long as you don't mind rockhopping. As you get down towards the valley floor there is some light scrub to negotiate then you are out on the flat open and grassy floor. Walk east along the valley and you will come to the WDC camp platforms.

[north-north-west]

There are a couple of descent options from KDP - one down to Wild Dog Creek as noted by bauera and another to Herods Gate. Both are discouraged as the vegetation has taken a bit of a pounding. But they're doable. Navigation is easier on the Herods Gate option. I think the climbing is a little easier on the other option although I found it harder to pick up the top end.

Still, it's not far between the two peaks and the whole area on top is worth exploring. Easy enough to do a loop from Halls to King Davids and back.