damomcdermott wrote:We have booked the 2nd weekend in March and are busy until then so can't do the trip any sooner, what would make the river not navigable? Is it an issue with the water level?
Bron wrote:Did I mention the picnic shelter is large? Its more like a pavilion.
My only concern for forward planning is that its not possible to predict the water level at that time of year.
Check out this photo of the Colo River last year in March 2021, I also have similar photos from February 2020.
As far as I can tell the bridge is 18m above sea level, you could touch the water.
rcaffin wrote:My notes from 1999 for the East spur, reached from Colo-Meroo:
head up the steep spur to Townsend. The gully next to it is concealed, scrubby but definite; the bottom of the spur is a mix of monkey vine, lawyer vine and solid lantana. We went up it briefly, then followed the left side just above the river for about 50m until we could climb steeply through ordinary jungle to a cliff, then followed the cliff left (SW) until we could break through. This brought us to the crest of the spur above, from where the scrub was very light most of the (long steep) way to the top.
No idea what the scrub at the bottom is like now, but I doubt it has gone away! The main Townsend spur is tricky at the top but easy enough. Some rope might be advised just in case.
The S end of the main Townsend spur down to the water is steep and covered in vines, but we have been up and down it a few times. At least you can hang onto the vines! I think that going down one time I just sat down and slid in a semi-controlled fashion.
Cheers
Roger
rcaffin wrote:My wife told me today that the Colo was at 15 m at the upper Colo Bridge (site).
damomcdermott wrote:Thanks sodahiker and johnrs.
The Bob Turners track option could work out, we have two vehicles so we could drop one at Upper Colo Rd and do a car shuffle. But we are hoping to travel light with daypacks instead of all our camping gear which is why I'm looking for a route to start and finish at Colo Meroo if possible. The kids are okay with steep ascents/ descents. We just climbed Ironmonger Spur last spring and have been dragged on a few other steep climbs - they canhandle a bit of scrambling but I want to make sure we don't do anything too dangerous.
I'd love to know if anyone has been able to climb up Townsend from the steep Eastern spur (there looks like a possible pass between the cliffs). But it isn't in the fatcanyoners book, so maybe a no go.
Has anyone started at Bob Turners track, then descended Townsend Spur and paddled from the bend to Colo Meroo?
Thanks again for the advice and knowledge.
Cheers
Damian
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