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Australia Travelog #22
Wentworth Falls, NSW - Thu, 28 Dec 2023, 4pm
As we approached Wentworth Falls (previous blog in this series) we could see two vantage points for potentially great views on the far canyon wall, both above and below the falls. The upper section of the falls we crossed (previous blog) was pleasant. The falls were small enough that people could stand under them, and the shallow pools of water were gentle enough for wading. But we really wanted to see the falls in their tower, crushing glory. It turns out the upper vantage point, Rocket Point, is great for this.
Rocket Point wasn't as far from the upper falls crossing as we feared. It seemed like not more than about 1/4 mile and maybe 100' of gain. Or maybe it seemed shorter because we were so looking forward to the payoff. And that payoff was stupendous, as the photo above shows.
The water falls hundreds of feet in a thin veil. It's so thin that when the wind blows, the falls shifts sideways. And when the sun shines, the veil makes rainbows. Stupendous.
We could have spent quite a while up on this balcony watching Wentworth Falls. We even had the place almost entirely to ourselves. For all the crowds mobbing the pools at the upper falls, there was practically nobody else here. And the few other hikers who did come through were quiet and moved on quickly. It was hard to tear ourselves away. But we had another goal in mind: to get the the bottom of the falls— or at least the bottom part that's visible from here— and spend time enjoying the view from there, too.
That bottom area, BTW, is called Middle Crossing. The name tells you there's still more of Wentworth Falls even farther down. The lower part of the falls isn't reachable right now as the trail to it is closed due to landslide damage. But even reaching the Middle Crossing will be an adventure as it involves a descent of several hundred feet on narrow trails. And, of course, who goes down must come back up. That up is going to be painful. But that's a problem for later. 😅
Below the upper crossing at Wentworth Falls the National Falls Trail zig-zags down the side of the canyon. In places it follows narrow ledges in the sandstone walls. In other places, steps are blasted into the rock. Just getting to the next part of the falls is an adventure!
Next up: enjoying the falls! After that: the brutal climb back up hundreds of steep stone stairs. 😰
Update: Keep reading with more amazing falls pictures and other things on the loop hike.
Wentworth Falls, NSW - Thu, 28 Dec 2023, 4pm
As we approached Wentworth Falls (previous blog in this series) we could see two vantage points for potentially great views on the far canyon wall, both above and below the falls. The upper section of the falls we crossed (previous blog) was pleasant. The falls were small enough that people could stand under them, and the shallow pools of water were gentle enough for wading. But we really wanted to see the falls in their tower, crushing glory. It turns out the upper vantage point, Rocket Point, is great for this.
Rocket Point wasn't as far from the upper falls crossing as we feared. It seemed like not more than about 1/4 mile and maybe 100' of gain. Or maybe it seemed shorter because we were so looking forward to the payoff. And that payoff was stupendous, as the photo above shows.
The water falls hundreds of feet in a thin veil. It's so thin that when the wind blows, the falls shifts sideways. And when the sun shines, the veil makes rainbows. Stupendous.
We could have spent quite a while up on this balcony watching Wentworth Falls. We even had the place almost entirely to ourselves. For all the crowds mobbing the pools at the upper falls, there was practically nobody else here. And the few other hikers who did come through were quiet and moved on quickly. It was hard to tear ourselves away. But we had another goal in mind: to get the the bottom of the falls— or at least the bottom part that's visible from here— and spend time enjoying the view from there, too.
That bottom area, BTW, is called Middle Crossing. The name tells you there's still more of Wentworth Falls even farther down. The lower part of the falls isn't reachable right now as the trail to it is closed due to landslide damage. But even reaching the Middle Crossing will be an adventure as it involves a descent of several hundred feet on narrow trails. And, of course, who goes down must come back up. That up is going to be painful. But that's a problem for later. 😅
Below the upper crossing at Wentworth Falls the National Falls Trail zig-zags down the side of the canyon. In places it follows narrow ledges in the sandstone walls. In other places, steps are blasted into the rock. Just getting to the next part of the falls is an adventure!
Next up: enjoying the falls! After that: the brutal climb back up hundreds of steep stone stairs. 😰
Update: Keep reading with more amazing falls pictures and other things on the loop hike.
