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Trip 29 Dalpura Ck (Bells Line of road) 1st Dec 2001 Vert. Elev: Distance : Time (approx.) : 4 hrs Comments: No rope required ! Do the jump !.

Other Sources of information on this area : Canyons Near Sydney (Rick Jamieson)

We left home at a the very leisurley time of around 9am, and with the required stop at the bakery at Richmond, put as at the start of the canyon around midday.
I was surprised to see 4 vehicles already parked there! Normally I would have guessed that this canyon is not so popular for large groups. As we walked past though, we noted that each vehicle had an SES badge or sticker on it. Oh well ... Looks like we're in for company !

Not having to race against time this time, I managed to take in much more of the surroundings as we walked down the steep scrubby hillside into the canyon. The sunny weather had done a fine job in bringing out millions of tiny wildflowers, all in an amazing array of colors, and in stark relief of the dry drab bush around us.

As the creek begins to form, there are some glimpses of rock pagodas in the hilside above us, for which, part of this area is renowned.
Stepping into the canyon brings welcome shade from the sun and is our fist chance to wet our feet and cool our heels.
The top section of the canyon (for the most part) is not much more than a broad gutter. Water trickles slowly through the leaf litter along a well worn groove, occasionally forming shallow pools. At one such pool we found a good sized water dragon out sunning itself, who watched with interest as we carefully balanced around the edge of the pool, in water up to our knees.
A little further on, the creek cuts deeply under a rocky bank forming a dark over hang on the outside bend. Dark and cool out of the midday heat. As are the two wades. Cold and deep, as Tracey found. Right up to her ...er... chest (blush)....
The highlight of this canyon is the 4m jump-in. I had some dificulty persuading myself to 'go' last time and had to resort to force, (which worked well). This time I felt a little more confidant !

As we both peered over the lip of the short drop together, the first thing I noticed was that the water level seemed lower than last time ! (Perhaps this was just a trick of the light?). Today however, with the sun out, I was surprised how much better we could see into the cavern below. (Last time I did this, it was late in the afternoon and the cavern was deep in shadow. Not very inviting at the time). Without wanting to dwell on the matter we both stood back and made a pact.

"I'll go if you go " seemed to work!

So we set about putting away the dry clothes and getting ready for the cold to come. (I knew from last time how cold this was!).
The plan was that I would go first, then Tracey would drop the packs down, and follow them, so I could try to get a photo. As I set myself on the edge, I drew Tracey's attention to the need to jump away from (over) the shallow rock directly below and drew a deep breath, then spanning the narrow gap with my hands, (forcing myself into that point-of-no-return position), I counted ...

Wasn't that hard after all !
Next came the packs as planned. First mine. Ka Boom !... Then Tracey's. Ka Bang !
Refreshing. Envigorating. Exillarating. Exciting. Cold! I gathered the packs as quicly as possible and shouting up, pointed to a better entry point then mine. "Deeper just here Tracey !".
With the camera out I squatted half in half out of the water, on a sloping ledge, trying to make my hands stop shaking. Up above I could hear Tracey talking to ... herself ... It sounded a bit like a conversation at a dinner party of about six. Without as quickly as they had arrived, the other five were banished together, and just when I least expected it she jumped ! (I knew she would!)
What can I say ! It's all over is a second.

With the excitement of the jump and the cold from the water affecting us, we grabbed our packs, took one last look back into the cave and moved off to warm up.

Dalpura Ck has only one other section that presents any sort of difficulty. At one point the creek takes a sudden drop as it rounds a sharp right hand bend. At this point the gutter is smooth and very well water worn. The upper section terminates as a choke of rotting timber and other vegtation, with what would be an 'uncomfortable' drop into a couple of connected pools. The walls on the right appear steep, mossy and mostly smooth. The wall on the left, however, although covered in smooth green moss, leads in two high-steps, to a wide low ledge, which in turn, can be followed back to the creek, just around the bend.
I liken this point to a prime example of 'dangerous ground'. This is an area which, although not hard to negotiate, the result of a missed step or a slip would sudden and painful.

From here the canyon end is very close. As we splashed through the last few bends we can hear voices, and surprisingly, the clinking of gear and such up ahead. It seems we have caught up the group in front of us. Minutes later we trot past a large group enjoying themsleves, abseiling the waterfall at the end. With casual "hello's" all round, we made our way down to the lookout, beyond the track back up. I didn't come here last time and wasn't dissapointed this time. The views from the end are simply awesome ! Here we met a couple setting up a lunch spot (sort of an advanced party) for the group now behind us. It turns out these guys are all Volunteer SES people out on a picnic day. And they would have been hard pressed picking a better day for it !

Sad to be leaving such a spectacular place, we backtracked to the track leading back up to the road and began the uphill haul to the top of the ridge. As we did when entering the canyon, we again stopped frequently to admire the wildflowers on the way out, and even what appeared at first sight, to be orange-brown moss, but on closer inspection it actually turned out to be millions of tiny flowers. Towards the top of the ridge we dived through the thick bush, releasing thick clouds of yellow pollen into the air behind us. Beware the hayfever sufferers !

The warm weather and gentle uphill grade was taking it's toll on me, and I was glad to stop at the pagodas for lunch and to drink in the panorama before us, before walking back to the fire trail and hence to the road.

Dalpura Cr is fast becomming a favourite of mine now. It seems to fit the bill for the perfect afternoon in the bush. Not too long. Certainly not arduose or technical, and just a wonderful place to be for a few hours.