Sphinx Cousin

Tuesday 14 February 2017

Ruin

Chimney Johnsons ruin

Some years ago, I climbed on to the top of a sandstone monolith just below Sphinx Rock, which I am dubbing Sphinx Cousin as there are a lot of similarities. Anyway, I was there again a few weeks ago, and thought it would be good to return to re-explore the spot.

The walk went up the Cascade track to the spot where a creek joined Guy Fawkes Rivulet.  There is a rough but clearly visible track ending here, but I could not locate it and we eventually ended up on Main Fire Trail.  On revisiting the map, I discovered that the correct route did start at the crossing but turned up more to the right, rather than go uphill left.

Middle Track was used, going past old hut ruins to the Lenah Valley Track; quite a continuous uphill climb. Once at Sphinx Cousin I lead the way up a little gully to top out in thick scrub. The small open area was eventually reached and a good lunch spot is was too.  Neville suggested returning via the quite short bit of bush to the base of Sphinx Rock; a mere 15 metres and easy going at that.

On "Sphinx Cousin"

The return leg was down the Lower Sawmill, along the fire trail and then down a new track that was made mainly for bikes, to the track which I dub as Jubilee to join the Cascade again for the last few hundred metres.

The walk was 12.6k, took 5 ¼ hours and ascended close to 600 metres.

Eucalypt fkowers

On the rock photo from Greg Bell

Ascent profile 105m to 684m