CENTRAL WEST BUSHWALKING (Bathurst) AND MUDGEE BUSHWALKING & BIKE RIDING CLUB INC unite for a weekend.
at Ganguddy (Dunns Swamp) & Mid-Winter Canyon. 13th/14th/15th March 2020
Fine weather on the Friday saw some keen campers set-up, from midday and kick off with some socialising. Saturday morning a little overcast but that did not stop this group from: kayaking, walking & exploring. To end the day with a drizzle of rain & some, while the BBQ meal kept the spirits high.
Some interesting camping techniques and happenings due to the wildlife keen to make friends with Joby & Elly. Other campers were; Karen & Bob, Graham, Eric, Virginia, Duncan, Julie, Nicole, Sally & Eric Jnr, Ivan & Rachel. Great team of campers!
Sunday morning option for those that did not camp was to join in for the day to explore Mid-Winter Canyon, all met at the intersection 9am, so after the initial signing in and briefing by the Leader Duncan Higgs, the group (of 32), headed off to the Mid-Winter Canyon (after a 30min drive from the Dunn’s Swamp campground), and access through code at gate, the group walked along a fire trail, approx. 90 minutes, Canyon explored (several wet feet and water depth to the knee for some) and several members of the group proceeded further to reach the lookout area, others turning back to again admire the vegetation they had at hand. Approximate distance walked for the day (10klm). Six continued a further 3klm, to reach the lookout, which was spectacular, in record time, 38 mins out and 30 back they were; Feroz, Victoria, Ivy & Neville, Duncan and Anthea.
As always there are options within the club: some members preferred to just camp, and relax with a minimal walk, while others tried it all: kayaking, MTB riding, swimming, walking, exploring the pagodos and checking out the network of walking tracks that surround the waterway and making great use of the camera (for amazing reflections on the water)., map reading, and were even given a how to “tie knots”.
A huge thank you to all the members and visitors that participated and hope to see you all again soon, but special thanks goes to: Duncan, Eric, Glen & Fabian who explored this canyon a while ago (before the fires) and was very keen for the club to visit.
It was incredible to see the aftermath of the bushfires and believe that the NPWS have done an amazing job within the area and pleased that the Dunns Swamp campground was accessible to the general public once again.
Thank you to the Leader: Duncan for a safe return of all participants and Glen & Eric for your assistance on the day.
Report by: Duncan Higgs & Joby Mitchell Map Ref: ……………………. Location: Wollemi National Park Ganguddy – Dunns Swamp, on the Cudgegong River just 30 kilometres east of Rylstone. Images by: Kim, Glen & Nicole & Joby, Victoria.