After a very rare and fabulous night out celebrating a friend’s 40th, I felt like I needed a recovery stroll, and this short walk seemed to fit the bill. The tourist tracks around Mt Victoria seem to be used mostly by climbers, and from what I can tell are otherwise not very well known outside the small Mt Vic community. I don’t get up that way very often, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the tracks I’ve discovered so far, and this one was no exception.
The low cloud hanging in the valley quickly burnt off as we headed down the Little Zig Zag track from Pulpit Rock. This is a wide track that was originally built as a bridle trail to provide access to and from the Kanimbla Valley. There is an abundance of beautiful orange rock around here and even as a non-climber I find it quite captivating.
My main interest in visiting this spot was the allure of the Bushrangers Cave. And it certainly didn’t disappoint! Most ‘caves’ in the Blue Mountains are more aptly described as large overhangs, but this one is a deep cleft in the rock which has a main ‘chamber’ accessed by a sturdy wooden ladder. It then extends through a dark, narrow tunnel to eventually peter out as the rock walls come together.
On turning back to the entrance, we were met with a beautifully framed view of the Kanimbla Valley.
Once the bottom of the Zig Zag track is reached, Reinits Pass branches off to the east and continues heading down into the valley for a short way. This gentle, undulating track passes through a variety of forest types, with beautiful ferny sections around the creek lines. It reminded me in places of the forest around Mt Wilson.
As we slowly wound our way back up the hill, the sounds of climbers echoed from the cliffs and a solitary black cockatoo squawked from a nearby tree. For such an easily accessible spot it was certainly very peaceful.
It’s many, many years since I’ve done any climbing, but I still love following climber’s tracks along the sandy ledges at the bottom of cliffs. It gives me a deep sense of nostalgia. Even though I never climbed much, I sure spent a lot of time hanging at the crag with friends, and it reminds me of a very different pace of life.
After the short climb up through Wilson’s Glen we soon arrived back at Pulpit Rock. I am keen to bring my kids here soon as I’m sure they will love the Bushrangers Cave.
what a beautiful & poetic journey you’ve taken me on this morning! ah… for the different pace of life of which you speak! i want to go bushwalking with you and have you narrate the experience in a passionate yet soothing voice. ok?
Sure thing Zoe, anytime 🙂 Thanks for the lovely comments! Bushwalking is a great way of slowing life down and noticing the small and wondrous. Even a short walk can make a big difference.