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Greater Blue Mountains National Park

Wollemi National Park: Point Nicholson to Gindantherie

Pinnacle via Little Capertee Creek- Friday 4th March

2016- Track Notes

Short title Point Nicholson to Gindantherie Pinnacle

Date Friday 4th March 2016

Leader Yuri Bolotin

Maps, etc. Department of Lands topographic map, Ben Bullen 8931–4S, 1:25000, second edition, WGS 84.

Walk description and route

From Newnes, take the Little Capertee Creek trail to GR 392 261, then make our way to Point Nicholson. From there, follow the Capertee escarpment west to Gindatherie Pinnacle. Then descend into the headwaters of Little Capertee Creek and walk back to Newnes. About 12k. Partly exploratory.

Rating 6, M, LTW, M333E Gear issues Have clothes to change into in the car for afterwards. 2 litres of water. GPS,

PLB, appropriate head and footwear, electrolytes, maps, compass.

Numbers 2 places available

Meeting point Pymble 0550, McDonalds carpark Richmond 0640, Lithgow Salud Coffee 0800, Wolgan Road 0820

Transport Club cars.

Comments Scrambling, exposure. This is a tough assignment

Close of Bookings

ASAP

Enquiries Yuri Bolotin, yuribolotin@gmail.com; 0413 715 943 Michael Keats, mjmkeats@easy.com.u, 9144 2096

The Party

Yuri Bolotin, leader, Brian Fox, Michael Keats, Marion Davies, John Anderson, Berenice Torstensson, Daryl Watson, Penny Pang, members, Chris Brown, Linda Eggington and Bill Lawler, guests, 11.

The Weather

A very warm dry sunny day. Initially overcast but clearing to a cloudless sky. Very high humidity with occasional relief from light winds. Temperature range 11 to 29 degrees.

Background Notes.

Gindantherie Pinnacle is an imposing isolated sandstone pinnacle, about 70m high. Located on the escarpment 4km due west of Newnes and midway between Point Nicholson and Mount Dawson. Gindantherie Pinnacle was named by Michael Keats and submission sent to the GNB on 9th October 2006. It is highly likely that the name is of Aboriginal origin. Lithgow Council Minutes, 6th August 2007, raised no objections to this name. Other recorded names are Lost Sister (Tom Brennan, October 2010) and the Fourth Sister. Ben Bullen Topo Map, GR 378 254. Gindantherie, Parish of is a land administrative district within the County of Cook. See Book 2, Walk 2.2, for detailed Track Notes.

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Little Capertee Creek is a non- perennial stream rising on the north side of Mount Dawson. It

flows generally north and east for about 6km into the Wolgan River north of Newnes. Ben

Bullen Topo Map, GR 382 247, junction GR 425 261.

Note: Little Capertee Creek is the next named creek to the north of Capertee Creek and both

creeks are about the same in length.

Orchid Slot is located within the upper headwaters of Little Capertee Creek, Newnes. Named

by Graham Conden on a Bush Club walk, 31st August 2006, due to the profusion of three

species of orchids encrusting the walls: Dendrobium speciosum, D. striolatum and Liparis

reflexa. Ben Bullen Topo Map, GR 380 259. See Book 2, Walk 2.2, for detailed Track Notes.

Plot of the walk overlaid on an aerial photo image. Recorded and prepared by Daryl Watson.

Point Nicholson located on the escarpment 4.2km west, north west of Newnes and roughly

midway between Point Anderson and Gindantherie Pinnacle. Shown on the map Parish of

Goollooinboin, 1884. Alexander (1818-1888), Christina (1815-1899) Nicholson and family at

the instigation of the McLeans immigrated to Australia in 1857 and settled in the Glen Alice

area. Ref: Staff, Bill. Rylstone Area History of Settlement, 1983, p. 68 and inscriptions, Glen

Alice Cemetery. One of their sons, Samuel Donald Nicholson, (1843-1944), purchased

Portions 80 and 81 in the Parish of Goollooinboin, County of Cook on the 13th and 20

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March 1879. Ref: Survey Plan 1061.1507. Another son, John (b1855), held Conditional

Purchase on Portions 82-84 in 1878-1879. Ref: Survey Plan 1131.1507. Samuel Nicholson

opened the Genowlan Mine near Capertee in 1883. Ref: Carne, Joseph. The Kerosene Shale

Deposits of New South Wales, 1903, p. 38. Ben Bullen Topo Map GR 382 273.

Track Notes

Just before 0930 the group assembled at the locked gate to Glen Day’s property on the

maintained road. I found a small dead Black Snake and put it on the gate post. Sometime was

spent on the briefing session as Yuri explained the iconic nature of this walk. We were under

way by 0933.

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Plot of the walk overlaid on a topographic map, Recorded and prepared by Marion Davies.

Walk profile data, recorded and prepared by Marion Davies.

By 0948 the end of the maintained road was behind. We now pushed through waist high

bracken and some very tired looking native fern, probably the Small Sickle Fern, Pellaea

nana. Useful rain is desperately needed. The dryness of the forest floor was matched by

equally dry streams. During the whole walk only two small pools were found, both in the

canyon like section of Little Capertee Creek.

At several locations, but particularly around GR 397 263, cut banks, evidence of a former

road up the valley floor were noted. This road would have related to the time of the Newnes

Industrial Complex. There were six surveyed portions between GR 240 and GR 241, 3 on the

north side and 3 on the south side of Little Capertee Creek. The road extended as far as the

major junction of the two branches of the creek at GR 392 261.

Morning tea was taken while sitting on several cut logs at this same location. After a nine

minute break it was time to start the scramble upstream to the saddle at GR 389 266. On the

way there are several overhangs including one that features a hand stencil. It looks

remarkably fresh and is very likely the work of a misguided prankster. There is no water

nearby and the overhang does not measure up in terms of those used by Aboriginal people.

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Walk plot showing the direction of walk. Recorded and prepared by Daryl Watson.

The saddle at GR 389 266 is a watershed between Little Capertee Creek, draining to the

Wolgan River, and Canobla Creek, draining to the Capertee River. We had a short break here

before descending into a very attractive dry canyon flowing due north. The canyon continued

to drop down and then head east. And so at GR 389 271 we said farewell to the canyon,

turned west, and walked up another tributary of Canobla Creek having its source at the cliff

line very near The Room.1

As you climb the last 80m or so to The Room, the terrain assumes pagoda and slot like

features. These are fully developed when The Room is reached. It is here that nature has

used the forces of geomorphology to huge advantage. The rocks are shaped and crafted to

great artistic form. Access slots vie with each other to be the best. Pagoda walls emphasise

opportunities for creativity. The result is a combination of architectural and sculptural forms

that are almost unbelievable. We spent a lot of time in this area, taking photos and filling of

mental memory cards with unforgettable images.

Leaving The Room, we headed to the cliff edge, GR 381 270. The view from here is a visual

panorama that extends a full 180 degrees from Point March in the south to Tayan Pic in the

far north. The long ridge that features Mount Harvey provides a spectacular foreground filler

for the mighty mesa of Pantoneys Crown; the profiles of Mount Airly and Genowlan

Mountain are back dropped by Mount Marsden on the far horizon; closer the assemblage of

1 The Room refers to a small flat level area within a pagoda like 'room' near Point Nicholson. This 'room' has been used for camping as it is near the top of the Wolgan-Capertee Divide and is sheltered from the wind. Ref: Tom Brennan’s photo

gallery, 1-2nd June 2013. Ben Bullen Topo Map, GR 382 270.

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plateau high points from the Chimney to Cottage Rock and Mount Iris are just spectacular as

well. The foreground is filled with the ploughed but drought stricken paddocks of

Goolooinboin Station, looking very poorly at the moment.

A colourful fungus, possibly Fistulina hepatica. Photo: Brian Fox.

After enjoying a prolonged time at the edge near Point Nicholson, it was time to continue our

exploration of the cliff edge with its myriad spectacular pagodas, slots, pinnacles and voids.

The terrain is very complex and it was not unexpected that some 30 minutes was spent

exploring a delightful area, but following a false lead.

What we needed to find was a ramp down that commences right on the cliff edge at GR 382

267. At 1256 we found it and once discovered it is almost a highway. There is some exposure

however, staying focussed on the path ahead, unless stopping for pictures makes for a safe

progress.

There are no hard and fast ways to go in much of this terrain, you test a slot or a pagoda and

if it takes you in the direction you want to go, all is good. If not then you simply return and

try another option. One of the most amazing aspects of this cliff line is that for nearly two

kilometres the drainage network of dozens of small dry gullies is all leading into the Little

Capertee Creek. Whilst on asides it is worth recording that there were almost no flowering

plants in bloom. The only consistent performer was the blue flowering Isotoma axillaris. This

perennial herb is capable of surviving the harshest of conditions.

Lunch was most welcome at GR 381 264. An extended, curved and protected overhang about

fifty metres back from the cliff edge has been used as a campsite. For us it was a cool retreat

where a luxurious 25 minutes passed very quickly. Conscious of how time was slipping by

we lifted our game and moved along the cliff edge quite rapidly taking pictures on the run.

Really this area merits a much slower progress and time to enjoy all the exquisite beauty on

display.

An area where I would have liked to spend a lot more time is exploring a slot that separates

the Wall of Teeth, GR 380 262 (named by Haydn Washington) from the main cliff line.

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The three bushexplorer authors, Yuri, Michael and Brian at a slot entry to The Room. Photo:

Marion Davies.

Fortunately we did have a little bit of time to briefly enter the top end of the Orchid Slot, GR

379 261. The picture of John Anderson’s leap is ‘picture of the walk’.

Time to resume fast walking and at 1404 we reached the viewing point for the Pagoda of

Death2. This pagoda located just back from the cliff edge above a yawning 100m drop

appears to be impossible to climb in safety.

2 Pagoda of Death is located on the top of the Wolgan -Capertee Divide above the headwaters of Little Capertee Creek,

300m north of Gindantherie Pinnacle. When you approach it from the north, it does look like a death defying pagoda climb.

However, when you actually get to it and start climbing, it is fairly easy, with many handy steps available. Named recorded

by David Noble on a bushwalk, 22-23rd September 2007. Ben Bullen Topo Map, GR 378 257.

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At the top of the ramp down at GR 382 269. Front to rear, Marion, Penny, Bill, Michael and

Chris. Photo: Brian Fox.

Four of the party made the ascent and subsequent descent as the pagoda is completely

isolated. We moved on threading our way through a continuous wonderland of filigreed

beauty. A great reward was enjoyed at GR 379 256 as the wonder of Gindantherie Pinnacle

came into view. Picture time for one of the most spectacular free standing sandstone needles

in Australia.

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At 1451 we entered a slot, GR 379 254. This deep slot leads to a tree fern filled gully and

then on to a cave system that is used for camping, GR 378 252.

On a ramp up to The Room. An entry slot to The Room can be seen. Left to right Penny, Yuri,

Berenice, Michael and Brian. Photo: Linda Eggington.

Stacks of firewood and organised flat rocks around the fireplace showed the use to be quite

recent. This is not the cave complex that I camped in 30th August 2006. Checking my notes,

that is further south at GR 379 245.

Leaving the camping cave we headed counter intuitively south west circling under a rapidly

descending ravine, GR 380 252. Brian tried a very fast option; a log he was relying on failed

and his descent was very rapid. Suddenly from walking in very difficult and challenging

terrain we were in a dry sandy creek bed. This was truly unexpected. At the least I was

mentally preparing for continuous rock hopping and possibly some rope assisted descents as

well. This was just what the tired legs were craving, a short period of respite.

In half an hour we went from GR 380 252 to GR 384 255. Around us the canyon walls rose

up so not only was the walking easy, we were in shadow as well. At 1600, GR 390 259, for

the first time on the whole walk we came across some pools of water. It was well filtered and

a number of the party took the opportunity to top up their supplies.

The next fifteen minutes was a reversion to normal walking in this terrain, the ferns grew

thick and rank hiding leg traps and fallen trees. Some of these fallen trees were very big and

assistance was needed for those with shorter lower limbs. It was a relief to arrive at the

location where we had some hours ago stopped for morning tea, GR 392 261. A truly iconic

loop walk had been completed. A rest and refuel stop was declared for five minutes and then

we set out on the final leg of the journey back to the vehicles. The made road section was

reached at 1708, GR 407 262 and the vehicles at 1718. The small dead black snake I had put

on the gate post on the way out was still in position. Total distance walked 14.25km. Total

ascents 800m.

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John Anderson takes a leap across the Orchid Slot. Action photo by Brian Fox.

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Gindantherie Pinnacle. Photo: Brian Fox.

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Walking the slot passage to a camping cave at GR 378 252. From the rear, Berenice, Penny,

Bill, Daryl and Yuri. Photo Brian Fox.

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Brian over the edge, the Wolgan Capertee Divide. The Mount Harvey Range and the valley of

Red Rock Creek can be seen in the background. Photo: Daryl Watson.

Table of Times, Locations and Grid References

Time Location Grid Reference

0922 Locked gate on Little Capertee Creek road GR 418 261

0933 Briefing completed and walk commences GR 418 261

0948 End of made road GR 407 262

1006 In Little Capertee Creek valley GR 400 262

1014 Remnants of an old road GR 397 262

1030 Morning tea at creek junction, 9 minutes GR 392 261

1057 Climbing eastern branch of Little Capertee Creek GR 389 263

1107 Saddle- watershed Little Capertee Creek and Canobla Creek GR 389 266

1127 Exploring dry canyon in Canobla Creek tributary GR 389 271

1150 Climbing towards Point Nicholson GR 384 271

1202 In The Room GR 382 270

1210 On the cliff edge, Wolgan Capertee Divide GR 381 270

1220 Views and looking for the cliff edge ramp access GR 382 269

1256 Top of ramp around the cliff edge GR 382 269

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Michael Keats

For The Bush Club Inc.,

5th March 2016

BCPW Point Nicholson and Gindantherie Pinnacle-040316 – Track Notes MK

1304 Crossing headwaters of Little Capertee Creek GR 381 265

1312 Lunch in overhang, 25 minutes GR 381 264

1339 At The Wall of Teeth GR 380 262

1350 In the Orchid Slot GR 379 261

1404 At the Pagoda of Death GR 378 257

1422 View Gindantherie Pinnacle GR 379 256

1451 Descending slot to a camping cave GR 379 254

1504 Camping Cave GR 378 252

1510 Circling south west GR 380 252

1517 In Little Capertee Creek (dry sand bed) GR 380 252

1537 Tributary creek enters on south side GR 384 253

1600 Water in Creek GR 390 259

1615 Return to morning tea site GR 392 261

1708 Shed on private land GR 407 262

1718 At vehicles GR 418 261

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