On day 1 we'll start at Blackheath station. We'll descend into
Megalong Valley and follow Megalong Valley Rd to Packsaddlers. From here
we'll follow a Sydney Water access trail and then drop down the side of
White Dog Ridge to the Coxs River. The next couple of kays follows the
Coxs River, with no real trail to follow, so this will probably involve
a fair bit of pushing around to the base of Mt Cookem. We'll then have
to push/carry the bikes up to the top of Mt Cookem, which rises about
450m in about 1km. From here it should be a fairly easy 10km along the
ridge of Scott's Main Range to New Yards huts. Total distance for this
day is quoted as 62km, but I make it 50km from the maps.
On day 2 we'll continue along Scotts Main Range for about 25km,
before a descent to the Tonalli River, and a steep climb up to the old
silver mining town of Yerranderie. We then continue east, and down a
long hill. We cross first the Jooriland and then the Wollondilly Rivers.
We then ride along an undulating fire trail up the Wollondilly Valley,
before turning off to camp at Fowlers Flat beside the river. The
distance for this day is quoted as 69km.
The final day is reasonably easy. We'll continue up the valley
through private property before heading up the gully of Burnt Flat Creek
and up a very steep climb. From here the rest is fairly cruisy, and
mostly on sealed roads. When we first reach the tar we have the option
of taking a side trip of around 15km return to Burragorang lookout,
before cruising back to Mittagong with a couple of hours of easy riding.
The distance for day 3, including the side trip, is quoted as 58km.
I have not done the ride yet - but had friends do it towards the end of
last year. They did it in two days from Mittagong to the Megalong Valley.
The member of the party I talked to about the ride strongly favoured this
way - rather than from Katoomba because of the long gradual climb up Scotts
Main Range if you go that way.
I think it should be possible to do the ride in one (very long) day (people
have "walked" it in under 24 hours) - and I'm thinking of attempting this
once we get a bit longer daylight hours - say in September.
Now as for the legal situation - the area is now declared wilderness - so
of course you are not "allowed" to ride into it (no mechanised transport is
allowed past Yerranderie (unless you are a landholder at the Byrnes Gap or
New Yards inholdings). And - remember if you camp at New Yards "huts" then
you are camping on private land. I'm not sure what the legal situation is
if you are pushing your bike whilst walking.
When I was on a walk from Mittagong to Katoomba during the Easter break -
our party saw a party of cyclists on mountain bikes near Yerranderie -
heading towards Mittagong and not long after a ranger came from the
direction they were going - and didn't seem too worried about the riders.
Also - the Wollondilly River is very low at present - we got accross it
with dry feet at Easter. The Coxs has a lot more water.
Dave
--
--------------------------
David Noble
dno...@ozemail.com.au
http://www.ozemail.com.au/~dnoble/
We were going to do this at the end of September, actually. The thought
of doing it in one day appeals, though I think this time at least we'll
take our time and spread it over 3.
> Now as for the legal situation - the area is now declared wilderness -
> so of course you are not "allowed" to ride into it
Are you sure about this? I have been reliably informed that the
question of whether bikes are allowed into wilderness is left up to the
discretion of the manager of the area, and there is not a blanket ban on
bikes. I was more worried about the legality of riding in parts of the
Sydney Water land.
Cheers,
Tim
Alex, Jill, Tim & Caroline Wardrop <war...@ardotcom.au> wrote in article
<37358C...@ardotcom.au>...
"Alex, Jill, Tim & Caroline Wardrop" wrote:
> David Noble wrote:
> > I think it should be possible to do the ride in one (very long) day -
> > and I'm thinking of attempting this once we get a bit longer daylight
> > hours - say in September.
>
> We were going to do this at the end of September, actually. The thought
> of doing it in one day appeals, though I think this time at least we'll
> take our time and spread it over 3.
yes -its nice country - and as for Scotts Main - its much better to ride it
rather than to walk (it can get a bit tedious) - but does feature fine
views of Broken Rock Range. Also - its well worth climbing both Yerranderie
Peak and on the south end of Axehead Mountain for the views (both have
tracks going up them)
>
>
> > Now as for the legal situation - the area is now declared wilderness -
> > so of course you are not "allowed" to ride into it
>
> Are you sure about this? I have been reliably informed that the
> question of whether bikes are allowed into wilderness is left up to the
> discretion of the manager of the area, and there is not a blanket ban on
> bikes. I was more worried about the legality of riding in parts of the
> Sydney Water land.
I'm told there is now a (newish) sign at the Tonalli River (and a barrier)
saying cycling is not permitted north of it. However - I think it is a bit
silly to ban cycling and allow the passage of management vehicles and
letting vehicles of the landholders from the inholdings pass through (I
think up to a maximum of 4 vehicles). However - if Scotts Main road gets
closed and re-vegetated then cycling should of course be banned.
Perhaps some rangers are turning a blind eye to push bikes?
At the Cookem section, you will need to push your bike for most of this
section - so technically you are walking - so perhaps this is OK? (but then
legally you need to use the very steep track that cuts off near the bottom
of White Dog and heads to the Kowmung rather than go to the bottom of the
road at the flying fox.
Have a good trip
Dave Noble
>
> Cheers,
> Tim
Come on Dave!
Push a bike up Cookem? "Carry with great exertion" would be a far more apt
description! And coming down would be safest with a belay if carrying a
bike.
I carried water for two up there once to camp above the cliffs for the
night. Great views, but oh that hill!
Cheers, with a grin
Roger
--
Roger Caffin (Dr)
Director
Berrilee Consulting Services P/L
5 Charltons Ck Rd
Berrilee NSW 2159
Australia
All the usual disclaimers apply....
>Perhaps some rangers are turning a blind eye to push bikes?
There is also now a similar sign at the end of Narrowneck, at the start of
the foot track down to Taros Ladder. The sign outlines the restrictions
on activities in Wilderness Areas, and includes all wheeled vehicles.
Strictly, I think the argument that pushing the bicycle makes a difference
is not valid. However, I also believe that Waterboard and National Park
employees have better things to worry about, and probably do.
Regards
Ross