Thursday 22/04/2021   Scenic World – Furber Steps – Railway Station – Federal Pass track – Dardenelles Pass Track – Giant Stairway – Echo Point

                                           Blue Mountains National Park, NSW

                                           Dharug Country

Participants: Beth Davies, Stephen Davies (Photos, Report), Sue Davies, Pablo Ureña Vega

All four of us may have jumped out of the car together at the Scenic World Carpark but that was a far as I was going with them! They were very keen on a trial run over the 11km Ultra-Trail Australia trail running racecourse. Scheduled for May 13 the 11km event follows Narrow Neck Plateau Trail before descending the Golden Stairs and returning along Federal Pass Walking Track and up Furber Steps. Still in recovery mode from an Achilles injury, I was off for a walk by myself, with plans to see them along the way.   

This walk/run turned out to be much shorter than we all would have liked as the National Pass Track was closed at the Slacks Stairs track junction. Despite this closure, it would still provide us with the opportunity to introduce Pablo to some cliff walking in the Blue Mountains. 

Download file: 20210422.gpx                         Track Info

 

Comparing the recorded GPS track for this walk (in red) to the track position indicated on the underlying map clearly illustrates that you cannot rely on GPS devices in any situation where the GPS satellites used by your device become obscured by terrain, building or trees, etc. As this walk was under trees and beneath cliff lines, you can see the effect here.

At the top of the Furber Steps I noticed a temporary sign announcing the closure of the Golden Stairs, a new plan was now needed. I also couldn’t be sure what the others would end up doing. I now aimed to head to Echo Point.

On the approach to Furber Steps along Round Walk, you arrive at Juliets Balcony, a lookout with great views of Katoomba Falls and down into Kedumba River Valley, the first of many photo opportunities. The Three Sisters, Kings Tableland and Mount Solitary are also soon into view.

A quick check of the views from the Scenic Railway Station before heading south-east through the forest under the cliff lline along Federal Pass Track. You pick up great views from below the Three Sisters further along. Once directly below the Three Sisters, I headed up Dardanelles Pass and the Giant Stairway to arrive at the Three Sisters. From here I walked back via Echo Point to our local accommodation. 

Photos

Panoramas

Map View

Clickable icons on a world map which open the related trip report

Contents

A detailed, searchable trip list with links to reports, photo galleries and other content

 

Information on NSW National Parks signage along the way

Welcome to the Furber Steps self guide walk

To continue the walk to the Furber Steps and the Federal Pass walk down the steps to Rainforest Lookout.

To reach the Skyway via the Round Walk, walk up from here to Juliets Balcony and continue on the Round Walk.

Rainforest Lookout

This spot was popular with visitors during the turn of the century. When wood was plentiful the barbecue was often used. Today it is inappropriate to use this facility as we have learnt of the critical importance of the dead wood to the environment. The nutrients locked in the fallen wood will eventually support new growth in the forest, so it is important not to burn it.

From here you can hear the waters of Witches Leap Creek as it burbles and mutters its way to Veras Grotto. You can take a short detour to the Katoomba Falls, along the Underfalls Track. Turn left about 80 metres down the track. (add about 30 minutes return).

Evidence of how the early caretakers managed this part of the Park is seen in the workmanship of the hand hewn steps behind you.

Caves and Overhangs

The Blue Mountains are part of a dissected sandstone plateau that extends from the Hunter Valley to Mittagong, a distance of about 150 kilometres. In the many layers that were deposited by rivers, tidal lakes and lagoons are unusual clay lenses. The most clearly defined layer is the Mount York Claystone. This layer seperates two massive layers of sandstone, and is clearly visible as a vegetated band about halfway down the cliffs. It represents a marine environment, where fine silts were deposited in a tidal lagoon. As the clays are more readily eroded, they often form caves and overhangs, providing hiding places for animals and shelter for humans.

and Carnivores

The tiger quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) is a native marsupial (now considered rare) that roams the damp glens at night. It is an agile hunter. Part of its prey would be the brown antechinus (Antechinus stuartii), a small mouse-like creature. which eats insects and lizards. Although these animals are nocturnal they may sometimes be seen during the day.

Queen Victoria Lookout

The fabulous vertical cliffs of the valley are formed by block falls and landslides. These occur because of the many horizontal and vertical fault lines in the sandstones. As the claystone bands are sapped away. undercutting the sandstone, the fault lines weaken and drop their enormous weight into the valley. This is clearly visible at the Landslide Lookout on Cliff Drive.

The Three Sisters are remnants of this activity: The wind and water continue to erode the Sisters individually, As time goes on. the remaining Sisters will crumble and fall into the Valley. This process will take thousands of years

The track now descends the Furber Steps. 

The Caley Formation

The layers of shales and sandstones here are named after explorer George Caley. Caley was one of the first Europeans to attempt to cross the Blue Mountains in 1802 The Caley Formation is still part of the Triassic system of rocks that was laid down between 250 and 220 million years ago,

Clay is a nutrient rich rock, which when weathered contributes to the fertility of the soils here and in the valleys. Water seeping through the sandstone from above often filters out along this layer.

and Hanging Swamps

Many “hanging swamps” are formed above clay layers or sills, which slow the movement of water. Sometimes the swamps become so heavy they just slide off the mountain. The slow process of re-building begins. As clay and debris are caught on the damp rocks, seeds germinate and the mat of vegetation forms again.

At the bottom of Furber Steps

Welcome to the Furber Steps self guided walk The Federal Pass is built on the talus slope at the bottom of the cliffs. Here, this corresponds with the Katoomba Coal Seam. Part of the Federal Pass, from here to the Leura Forest, was built in the 1900s with money raised by public donation. The track continues in the other direction, past the Scenic Railway, to the abandoned coal and oil shale mines at Ruined Castle across the valley. The Federal Pass there follows the route of a horse drawn tramway which transported the coal to the inclined railway. The mines closed down in 1932.

If you wish to view the Katoomba Falls, follow the Federal Pass for about 15 minutes to Cooks Crossing. To reach the Giant Stairway allow about 2 hours from here. It is an energetic and steep climb out. 

The Leura Forest is about 3.5 hours, it also.is a steep climb out via the Fern Bower Track.

The Scenic Railway is about 5 minutes from heré (fare required, last train up at 4.50pm).

Federal Pass – Cooks Crossing

Cooks Crossing s named for Joseph Cook (1860 -1947) who had a long association with the Blue Mountains He worked as a miner in Lithgow from 1885, and represented the State seat of Hartley from 1891 to 1901. He represented the Federal seat of Parramatta and served as Prime Minister 1913-1914.

Federal Pass was constructed in 1900 and paid for by public subscription. It was opened on the 3rd November 1900, by NSW Premier Lyne. and the r were 17 Members of Parliament present The following year Federation of the States of Australia occurred Federal Pass connects Leura Forest with the bettom of the Giant Stairway, Katoomba Falls, Scenic Railway and the bottom of The Landslide. In 1936 Federal Pass was extended to include the old horse tramway that once operated to the oil shale mines at Ruled Castle. 

Dardanelles Pass

Ranger Jim McKay (Katoomba Council), who also initiated the building of the Giant Stairway, built Dardanelles Pass in 1915. The Pass provides an atternative route to Federal Pass, connecting Leura Forest with the base of the Giant Stairway. The name honours the involvement of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC’s) in the battles in Turkey during the First World War.

Other sites in the Blue Mountains also commemorate Australian defence forces. There are inscriptions at Empress Falls and ANZAC Day (25th Aprit) is observed by bushwalkers with a dawn ceremony at Splendour Rock in the Wild Dog Mountains.

The Giant Stairway

The Giant Stairway ascends about 900 steps cut into the side the cliff and finishes at Lady Game Lookout, about 400 metres from Echo Point.

The climb up can be exhausting, so take your time and rest regularly.

The Scenic Railway can be reached in about 2 hours from here. The last train up is at 4.50 pm daily (1650 hours).