After lunch at Conservation Hut, we drove to the carpark for Grand Canyon, one of the most popular tourist tracks in the area. We bombed down the steeply staired hill past tourists huffing and puffing their way back up the hill. We both hoped we would look less exhausted by the time we hiked back up the hill! The track crosses the creek, sidles along the valley on ledges, ducks through a short boulder cave, goes behind a waterfall and beneath overhanging ledges. It's very scenic but if the tourists only knew what they were missing out on in the canyon beneath them they might find it disappointing. The canyon reminded me a lot of Zion with its vertical red sandstone cliffs and moss-clad waterfalls and grottos. We suited up on the track, walked two steps, and abseiled into the dark chamber below.
Once in the chamber we were immediately presented with the highlight of the trip: sunbeams shooting diagonally into the canyon, hitting the tannin-stained water and casting reflections about the chamber. We spent some time photographing and enjoying the rare light show. At the right time of year on a sunny day, the sunbeams probably only penetrate for a half hour here.
Continuing on we came to a long subway-like section that could certainly be classified and Grand. We were both impressed by the large amount of flood debris in the canyon from recent storms. The debris created a lot of pools and in one I found some really amazing bubbles. I carefully slipped into the water and sneaked up on them with my camera.
Near the end of the canyon was one final slot section with some wonderfully sculpted walls. Then it opened out again and after a couple more swims we hit the trail again. A hot walk out brought us back to the car. It was yet another unique Blue Mountain canyon. Thanks to Julie!
No comments:
Post a Comment