On The Road: Day 257 Katoomba Tuesday 19th February 2013

Morning, Good Morning,

We awoke to glorious blue skies that lasted all day. Perfect weather for hiking, not to hot. We set out about 10:30 and drove to Wentworth Falls. Simon had picked up a map a few days ago and after some minutes of study we set out. We set off via Jameison, Princess Rock and Wentworth Falls Lookouts, and the Undercliff Track to Wentworth Falls then made our way down the Grand Stairway to the National Pass track toward Valley of the Waters Track, then up again to the Overcliff Track, Short Cut Track and back to the car.

There are two main routes the National Pass and the Wentworth Pass. The National Pass track was first laid in the 1800’s and officially opened in 1908 and was re-laid in 2008 a feat that took 5 years. One of the striking features of the track was the large sandstone stepping stones with their “sparrow peck” marks so named from the original pick marks back in the 1800’s. Many of these stones were reclaimed from culverts and replaced on the track

The route today covered 8.5 kilometers and took almost 4 hours; 2h20m hours moving and 1h35m staying still. We could have stayed still longer taking photos as the scenery was absolutely breathtaking. We both agreed this has probably been our most favourite hike to date. We have pencilled in a return visit to do some more walks, perhaps with our backpack gear after our proposed Heysen Trail adventure.

We did encounter rather an unusual occurrence as we were leaving Flat Rock Falls, a girl came up and asked us if we would retrace our steps and wait a few minutes as her brother was going to propose to his girlfriend in front of the upper falls, apparently she said yes and they were organising pictures as I surreptitiously took a snap of the group as we departed, after the appropriate congratulatory phrases of course!