#29 – Wollemi NP: Budgary Creek – River Cave Canyon Circuit and Deep Pass Explore

Meeting Time: 8:15AM – Prior Registration is essential before attending this walk

Description: Wollemi NP: Budgary Creek – River Cave Canyon Circuit (3.5km) and Deep Pass Explore (3.5km).  A very special walk, taking us deep into sandstone rock and pagoda country with steep cliffs, ferns and a spectacular walk through River Cave Canyon (wet legs – water thigh deep). This section is graded HARD due to rough, steep and overgrown track & wet rock climbing in the canyon. Plenty of waratahs and other native flowers to see. True wilderness.  Although only 3.5km, the canyon walk will take us 3hrs. (Bring Morning Tea).

After returning to the cars, we then head south down the northern access to Deep Pass, exploring Deep Pass/Split Rock we then take the short climb out to the Deep Pass car park. Car shuffle then return to Clarence before heading to refreshments.

NOTE: If any prior rainfall, the river cave canyon section will be replaced with another Deep Pass option.

Bring: Walking Poles required (or find a good stick) for slippery descent to river, ‘River’ shoes to change into for the river section, Shorts a good idea, plastic bag (for wet shoes), small hand towel, eat morning tea in River Cave Canyon. A head torch can be useful in the river cave.

We will have lunch on Deep Pass track so it can be left in cars (Peter has a fridge) during river cave loop.

Distance: 7 km
Grade: Medium, Hard (River Cave Canyon) – Rough track experience is essential
Ascents: 350m
Descents: 350m
Risks: Steep, rocky gully descents down creek gullies between pagodas and via ascents back to ridge.  Slippery river surfaces, wet legs and shoes in Canyon (bring ‘river’ shoes). Steep cliffs. Some thick bush in places.
Meeting Point: at the turnoff to the Zig Zag Railway at Clarence on the Bells Line of Road. This drive can take from 1hr 40 to 2hrs from Turramura. We meet on the dirt road outside the Zig Zag Railway (do not enter the carpark). From Clarence, we will all drive 26 km on dirt to the car park to the west of Deep Pass. Leaving some cars there, we do a car shuffle to the northern access for Deep Pass to start our circuit walk into River Cave Canyon on Budgary Creek.
Clarence Google Map Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2vxBffUVzQGTrMGQ8
Meeting Time: 8:15AM