Tuesday 29/04/2022   Blue Waterholes Camping Area – Clarke Gorge – Cave Creek – Cooleman Falls

                                         Kosciuszko National Park, NSW

                                         Ngarigo Country

                                     

Participants: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies

We were expecting wet feet today as we knew there were several creek crossings to get through Clarke Gorge, with this in mind we headed off with our boots on and crocs tied to our daypacks. Heading directly out the end of Blue Waterholes Camping Area you immediately walk down the small hill and face the first crossing.

Download file: 20220429.gpx                         Track Info

 

After pausing and taking our first few pictures for the day we returned to the crossing and removed our boots. Crocs now on we forded Caves Creek for the first time, glad we also had a hiking pole each. Today the water was approaching knee-deep in parts. Across to the opposite bank, we left the crocs on and were glad we did as the second crossing was not much further along. 

Soon we are entering the limestone walled Clarke Gorge proper and continued onwards with multiple crossings, leaving the crocs on for the rest of the walk. They are pretty comfortable to walk in, but both of us ended up with a little skin off where they rubbed against the skin a little too much. This midsection of the walk is beautiful, with the limestone cliffs towering above us on both sides of Caves Creek. 

As I judged we were getting close to Cooleman Falls, I decided to leave my pack as the next crossing looks like it could involve a slippery entry, and too many camera lenses to risk getting wet. It turned out, however, that my judgement of distance was poor, as needed to continue on for much further than I expected.

As you approach Cooleman Falls, the cliffs fall away and there are a lot more trees along the track. Cooleman Falls falls themselves are picturesque and worth reaching. There are several really good vantage points at the top and during the scramble to the bottom which we declined to reach. As I had left my boots several crossing back I decided against attempting the steep, rocky descent which appeared to have several slippery sections after recent rainfalls. Not at all suited to the crocs we were both wearing.

On our return, we counted nine creek crossings. So eighteen crossing for the return trip to Cooleman Falls. Some of the crossings were up to knee-deep and some rocks were covered in algae and very slippery. Some sections of the track would become very slippery after rain as well. Make sure you have appropriate footwear to attempt this walk and at least one hiking pole is highly recommended. 

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