Karori-CCombSaddle-KeroCreek-BMCreek-Cheyenne

(early November, 2008- contact David Lawrence 67753164)

Exploratory Three Day Backpack- BP(3d2n) M 3/4C ( at least half 2C)

This walk starts at Karori entrance ramp and ends at Cheyenne. We will walk west along the Karori fence 2 km to the NP gate, then north along an easy road to for 2.5 hours. Then we plan to pick our way around the east slope of Tabletop Mountain to camp in the Cocks Comb saddle (water needs to be carried to this camp). Next morning we’ll do a bit of exploring to find the route down a fairly steep spur to the Macleay. After a bit of a break, we’ll walk upstream to Blue Mountain Creek, and up it to camp – probably at Postmans Creek Junction. The final day will start with a doddle along to Hole Creek, and maybe a bit of a swim (there’s a good pool) before a long pull up the junction spur to Cheyenne. Suitable for well-equipped, fit and experienced backpackers.

There’s a car shuttle of about 20 minutes which we’ll do before the walk. Even with this bit, it would still be possible to get down to the Macleay on the first day, but camping in the Cocks Comb saddle gives two chances to catch the view (rated by Frank Lowe, the great photographer, as his favourite place). We’ll have a very leisurely stroll along the Macleay and Blue Mountain Creek, in the heart of Oxley Wild Rivers, on days 2 and 3. The spur we climb out gives great views across to Tabletop and up Blue Mountain Creek- and the view from the high point on Cheyenne is literally one to die for.

Travel (Maps 1:25 000 Salisbury Plains-SP; Rowleys Creek-RC; Winterbourne-W)

From Armidale -20-Uralla - left onto the Walcha road- 17.5 (Grid Reference-602 928) left -11.5 (690 888)- right onto Hazeldene road- 10-(766 864) keep to right on Hazeldene Road- 4- (G.R.806 865) keep to right-3- (G.R.831 856)- turn rt onto Winterbourne rd- 2- (G.R.825 837) -left onto Tabletop rd- 2- (G.R.845 837) -keep left on Tabletop rd-6- (G.R. 896 830 “Karori” ramp. Total distance from Armidale 76 km (about 1 hr 30 minutes)

From Walcha- (Winterbourne Road)- 24.5- (G.R.825 837)- turn right onto Tabletop Road - 2- (G.R. 845 837) -keep left on Tabletop rd-6- (G.R. 896 830 “Karori” ramp ) . Total distance from Walcha about 33 km (say 30 minutes).

Directions Karori Ramp to Cheyenne

“Karori” ramp (R.C 896 830) – W on Tabletop rd -8-(W) 825 837 turn rt. onto Winterbourne road- 2- (W 831 856 – pass Hazeldene rd on left- stay on Winterbourne rd- -8 (892 887- ramp entry to Cheyenne property)- 3- (912 910- Woolshed on rt) – continue keeping rt- 1 - (W)916 916 “Cheyenne” homestead Total 22.0 (20 minutes)

Day 1 (W) = "Winterbourne 9236-2- N; (RC) = “Rowleys Creek 9236-2-S LegKm TotalKm LegHrMin

E. along left side of fence, then thru fence to Crossroads Camp (RC) 917 827 2.00 2.00 0.30

NE on road to Map edge (RC) 930 836 1.75 3.75 0.30

Continue on Rd to Tabletop Retreat Road Junct. on left (W)952 868 . Keep right 5.00 8.75 1.25

Continue on rd to (W)963- 895- ASL 1000 (see easier Bark Hut route) 3.00 11.75 0.45

Leave road to right, walk contour ASL 1000 toCComb Saddle at 96940/90518 Camp 1.00 12.75 0.45T3.55

Day 2(W) = "Winterbourne 9236-2- N; (RC) = “Rowleys Creek 9236-2-S LegKm TotalKm LegHrMin

Travel down c. 300 NNE to ASL c. 950, then down E to saddle at 977/906 ASL 880 1.00 1.00 0.40

Climb to local HP 97950/90500 ASL 930 0.30 1.30 0.15

Descend on ridge E, then NNE then NE to Macleay river at 006 927 ASL 240 3.50 4.80 2.00

Up Macleay to Blue Mountain Creek Junction 3.00 7.80 0.45

Up BMC to Postmans Creek Junction (W) 979 966 ASL 277 3.00 11.80 0.45T4.25

Day 3A (W) = "Winterbourne 9236-2- N; (RC) = “Rowleys Creek 9236-2-S LegKm TotalKm LegHrMin

Continue up BMC to Hole Creek junction (W) 943 953 ASL 332 4.30 4.30 1.15

Up BMC/Hole Creek Spur to Gate at (W) 913 927 ASL 850 4.00 8.30 2.00

Follow 4WD track SW and E to Ruin (homestead rd) at (W) 911 911 2.00 10.30 1.00

Left (N) on road to homestead “Cheyenne” and CAR (W) 916 916 1.00 11.30 0.15T4.30

Bark Hut Route

An easier walk is starts and ends as above, but avoids the tricky walks around the Cockscomb at the end of Day 1 and start of Day 2, while visiting the historic bark Hut is as follows:

Day 1 (W) = "Winterbourne 9236-2- N; (RC) = “Rowleys Creek 9236-2-S LegKm TotalKm LegHrMin

E. along left side of fence, then thru fence to Crossroads Camp (RC) 917 827 2.00 2.00 0.30

NE on road to Map edge (RC) 930 836 1.75 3.75 0.30

Continue on Rd to Tabletop Retreat Road Junct. on left (W)952 868 . Keep right 5.00 8.75 1.25

Continue on rd to (W)963- 895- ASL 1000 3.00 11.75 0.45

Continue on road to beside Salt Hut (W)959904 (fill water at Dam 200 m North of hut) 1.00 12.75 0.15

Continue on to Bark Hut (W) 963 924 Camp 4.00 16.75 1.00T4.25

Day 2.

Continue on road (Water at ZINNIAH2O 974922) to COCKSPUR1N (W) 974 926 1.9 1.9 0.30

Continue +/- N on 4WD road to TTOPRDENDN (W) 975 943 ASL 750 2.1 4.0 0.40

Continue +/- N on ridge to TTOP1NRIDG (W) 976 954 ASL 640 1.0 5.0 0.20

Continue NE on ridge to Blue Mtn Creek (W) 989 962 ASL 260 1.5 6.5 0.30

Follow BMC upstream to base Granville Spur (W) 964 964 ASL290 Camp 3.0 9.5 1.00T3.00

Day 3

(Group 1 only)

( W) = "Winterbourne 9236-2- N

Upstream Granville Camp to BMC/Hole Creek Junction (W) 943 953 ASL 320 3.00 3.00 1.00

Up BMC/Hole Creek Spur to Gate at (W) 913 927 ASL 850 4.00 7.00 2.00

Follow 4WD track SW and E to Ruin (homested rd) at (W) 911 911 2.00 9.00 1.00

Left (N) on road to homestead “Cheyenne”and CAR (W) 916 916 1.00 10.00 0.15T4.15