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--- 199611 [2016/12/07 10:26] – [Widden Wanderings] joan
+++ 199611 [2016/12/07 10:27] – [Widden Wanderings] joan
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 The area around upper Widden Brook & its tributaries has always been of interest to me since the 1970's. I had some trip notes from various NPA trips in the 1970's. I managed to convert the old OR's to the newer maps & led a few walks in the upper reaches of Widden Brook with the Wilderness Society and the NPA. This walk was postponed from the SBW August program & took place over the recent October long weekend.
-After a few last minute cancellations and the Friday night drive to Dunn's Swamp east of Rylstone (near Mudgee) we set of with a party of six, five being prospectives. We followed an old overgrown logging track following a tributary of Never Never Creek to a saddle. This 'saddle marks the Great Dividing Range separating the Cudgegong-Macquarie catchment (Murray-Darling) from the catchment of Widden Brook which flows into the Hunter River. We descended down a steep gully into Widden Brook and followed the stream downstream past lovely coachwood trees, tree ferns and towering sandstone cliffs above us. In several places the stream cuts into the base of the sandstone cliffs creating interesting overhangs. Progress was slower. planned due to the higher water level in the creek. We tried to keep the boots dry, however as we progressed downstream we eventually took to wading through the creek. We reached the intended lunch stop at about 3.30 pm. I decided not to proceed any further for the day as there were no campsites for the next few hours. We set up camp on a near the creek under the rainforest canopy. We had a fire between some large boulders which offered perfect seats and backrests. As the evening progressed I noticed the sky becoming overcast with high cloud building up. After happy hour and dinner we all went to bed early to catch up on some sleep. The sound of the trickling water in the creek was very relaxing.
+After a few last minute cancellations and the Friday night drive to Dunn's Swamp east of Rylstone (near Mudgee) we set of with a party of six, five being prospectives. We followed an old overgrown logging track following a tributary of Never Never Creek to a saddle. This saddle marks the Great Dividing Range separating the Cudgegong-Macquarie catchment (Murray-Darling) from the catchment of Widden Brook which flows into the Hunter River. We descended down a steep gully into Widden Brook and followed the stream downstream past lovely coachwood trees, tree ferns and towering sandstone cliffs above us. In several places the stream cuts into the base of the sandstone cliffs creating interesting overhangs. Progress was slower. planned due to the higher water level in the creek. We tried to keep the boots dry, however as we progressed downstream we eventually took to wading through the creek. We reached the intended lunch stop at about 3.30 pm. I decided not to proceed any further for the day as there were no campsites for the next few hours. We set up camp on a near the creek under the rainforest canopy. We had a fire between some large boulders which offered perfect seats and backrests. As the evening progressed I noticed the sky becoming overcast with high cloud building up. After happy hour and dinner we all went to bed early to catch up on some sleep. The sound of the trickling water in the creek was very relaxing.
 About 3.30 am next morning I was awoken by the first drops of rain dripping from the canopy above. After wetting the tents, the rain stopped during breakfast and breaking camp, but started again before we set off. We followed the base of the cliffs around the wide valley where Widden Brook meets Coricudgy Creek. The rain soon made everything slippery and made for slow going. The rain and mist cleared occasionally revealing the views of the valley and cliffs through the trees. We had lunch under an overhang which was big enough to sleep in with a little levelling. After lunch we continued following the cliffs and dropped into Razorback Creek. Several large boulders initially blocked our way up the creek but once we passed these obstacles we came to a flat section with some lovely campsites. We continued on for about a kilometre and camped at a point where three side creeks join Razorback Creek together. We cleared a few tent sites and gathered the plentiful supply of firewood available. We erected a fly to sit under and like magic this action caused the rain to stop for the evening. We soon had a fire going and enjoyed some happy hour. After dinner, out came the wet clothes to be gently smoked over the fire.
-The rain had stopped next morning as we followed a side creek for about a kilometre. The going was good at first but the vegetation soon forced a rethink as to the route we should take. After some reconnaissance we found an easy way up onto the cliffs above a large overhang. We enjoyed morning tea with a view of the surrounding countryside. We continued on up the ridge to the Great Dividing Range and followed this for a short distance. We had lunch before descending down to Never Never Crek,i It was at this point I discovered a major error in the Coricudgy 1:25,000 map. There is a large and very obvious hill at OR 425695 which has been omitted from the map. In fact the map shows a large flat area at this point. The adjoining Olinda 1:25,000 map shows part of this hill, but the contours don't continue onto the Coricudgy sheet. The hill is a useful landmark in the otherwise flat valley of Never Never Creek. We arrived back at the vehicle at 4.00 pm and after changing into some clean clothes we headed for Lithgow where we enjoyed a well made pizza. We arrived back in Sydney about 9.00 pm.
+The rain had stopped next morning as we followed a side creek for about a kilometre. The going was good at first but the vegetation soon forced a rethink as to the route we should take. After some reconnaissance we found an easy way up onto the cliffs above a large overhang. We enjoyed morning tea with a view of the surrounding countryside. We continued on up the ridge to the Great Dividing Range and followed this for a short distance. We had lunch before descending down to Never Never Creek. It was at this point I discovered a major error in the Coricudgy 1:25,000 map. There is a large and very obvious hill at OR 425695 which has been omitted from the map. In fact the map shows a large flat area at this point. The adjoining Olinda 1:25,000 map shows part of this hill, but the contours don't continue onto the Coricudgy sheet. The hill is a useful landmark in the otherwise flat valley of Never Never Creek. We arrived back at the vehicle at 4.00 pm and after changing into some clean clothes we headed for Lithgow where we enjoyed a well made pizza. We arrived back in Sydney about 9.00 pm.
 Despite the four hour drive from Sydney the area is well worth a visit. I intend to lead another three day walk over the next Anzac Day weekend in April. The walk will consist of two days carrying packs with a day walk on the middle day. Further details will be provided in the Autumn program. Please note that there will be a limit of eight on this walk due to the small camp sites.
-Everyone on the walk handled the rough and slippery conditions very well and I have no hesitation in recommending them to full membership. The group details are: Members - Paul McCann (leader); Prospective members- Sally Croker, Petra Hermiger, Rick Jones, Andrew Parker and Phil Prentice. Thanks to all the participants who made the walk happen.
+Everyone on the walk handled the rough and slippery conditions very well and I have no hesitation in recommending them to full membership. The group details are: Members - Paul McCann (leader); Prospective members- Sally Croker, Petra Hernniger, Rick Jones, Andrew Parker and Phil Prentice. Thanks to all the participants who made the walk happen.
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