View down from the top of Lanyon Falls

 

Wednesday 27 July 2022: Lanyon Falls – Wednesday Walk M-H – a circuit in Rob Roy Nature Reserve.

Summary

From Garmin Connect – Distance: 8.17km | Climb: 506m | Time: 2hrs 48mins moving + 1hr 39mins of stops | Grading: M/M; M(9).

Photographs

Photographs are available here.

gpx File

The gpx file is available here.

Track Notes

I was last at Lanyon Falls (then called Rob Roy falls) on 25 Jul 17.

A cracker of a Winter’s day today, clear blue skies and shorts weather. Layers came off as we climbed the slopes. Temperature 6-21°C. Both Wednesday Walks were in this area.

Our route first took us south through grasslands on the lower western flank of the Big Monks ridge.

Walking the grasslands south from the start

We crossed a small creek, the one flowing down from Lanyon Falls, and regrouped at an old yards site.

Old yards at the start of the first climb

Here our leader had chosen a nice open spur and we turned SE to begin the climb.

Gentle and open climb

The spur rises then levels, a good spot for a water break. The next climb was ahead of us.

Water break at flat part of the climb, looking up to the knoll

The view NE reminded me of a very important lesson.

Looking NE from the water break – open N facing slope, vegetated S facing slope

I’d scratched around in the scrub on the south facing slope on the other side of the creek on 29 Jun 22 and here we were on a lovely open north facing slope.

Part way up the climb to morning tea, Lanyon Falls were revealed in the distance.

View N to Lanyon Falls from the climb to morning tea

Morning tea was called just before the top of the knoll. Time to practice my PeakFinder.

View SW from morning tea via PeakFinder

We next headed a little south of east from the knoll, handrailing a fence line down.

Heading E down a fence line to the first side creek

Crossed a creek line and headed back up on animal pads.

The first side creek

Up an animal pad from the first side creek

Vegetation a bit denser as we sidled over the second side creek. Then it opened up again.

View from SE of Lanyon Falls

Arriving at the falls from above, we dropped our packs at a convenient lunch spot and scrambled down to enjoy the view from the top. My balance is not what it used to be.

View down from the top of Lanyon Falls

Views back to our morning tea knoll …

Looking back to the morning tea knoll from the top of Lanyon Falls

… and another reminder of the general principle of open V scrubby slopes.

Another example of clear N facing, scrubby S facing from the top of Lanyon Falls

Once we’d climbed out to the 800m contour, it was all over bar the shouting. A pleasant exit via grasslands and a little bit of sog to the fire trail junction east of Big Monks.

SE of Big Monks

I’ll use this route into the Falls when I do the Rob Roy NR as part of my 39 Nature Reserves. Thanks Peter.

Down the fire trail to the first saddle north of Big Monks, then steeply west down to the edge of suburban Banks.

Pretty pleased with myself that I managed this round, but I’m sure it was due to Peter’s measured pace. Thanks.

Track Map

Here’s where we went.

Track Lanyon Falls

Party

11 walkers – Peter C leader.