5 January 2010 Bargo Gorge
Map: Picton 1:25000
Getting There
This walk was organised and led by Brian S as an irregular CBC Tuesday walk:
Tuesday 5 February - Bargo Gorge - M/R/W. Rockford Bridge – Bargo River and Gorge – Nepean River – return along cliff top route. River crossings, rock platforms, lunch and swim at a deep cool pool. Map: Picton 1:25000. Leader: Brian S brianscbr@yahoo.com.au Transport: ~$120 per car, $30–$40 per person.
4 of us met in Canberra and drove via the Federal Highway, turning off at Remembrance Drive which heads to Bargo, first right into Lupton Road and met Brian at the corner of Avon Dam Road. Advice was that it was a 2-2.15hr drive from south Canberra. It was 2hrs after picking up the last passenger. Next time I won't arrive 40mins early.
Further Information
From Rockford Bridge walk on track to past the Mermaid Pool, then descend on track to the river where we cross it and stay on the river banks - mostly easy walking on rock platforms but we have to scramble down some ledges etc, some weeds/scrub, overall quite attractive - till we get to the junction of Bargo-Nepean Rivers for lunch and a swim. After lunch backtrack a bit before ascending out of the gorge and returning on tracks to the cars. Approx 7 hrs total time for the walk including breaks. Water: BYO for the day, forecast temp (Camden) 15-32deg C. Make sure you bring enough as gorges can be heat traps. Footwear: 2-3 crossings of the river, may get feet wet up to shin height. Besides the crossings, we do not walk in the river.
Photographs
Access all primary pics here. All thumbnails in the walk report are active - click for a larger picture.
Walk
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We parked down under the Rockford Bridge, the first vehicles there - but certainly not the last on a warm day near excellent swimming holes.
The track starts by going under the bridge and follows the Bargo River downstream on its right bank. We crossed the (dry) Dogtrap Creek and Brian picked a path for us through the sometimes braided tracks. At times we walked on rock platforms in the river and at others beside or just above it. At one stage a great river bed section of potholes - I assume this is where the Reserve gets its name. Immediately there were fine examples of Sydney sandstone cliffs. The first major pool below Rockford Bridge began with a 2m waterfall, an imitation of what was to come. Within 30mins we approached Mermaids Pool. A rope swing could be seen on the left bank and, on our side, we arrived at a rock platform with painted sign 'Danger No safe entry or exit from pool'. The photo does not really do the drop into the pool justice. Lovely sandstone. We retreated up the side track (Brian carrying a bagful of rubbish collected at the platform) and followed it around and high up above the pool to Jumbuck Leap. A magnificent view back to Mermaids Pool. |
| Approaching Mermaid Pool in Bargo Gorge | Rope swing into Mermaid Pool in Bargo Gorge | Sandstone above Mermaid Pool in Bargo Gorge | 1 Mermaid Pool from Jumbuck Leap |
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Turning our attention downstream , the real beginning of Bargo Gorge could be seen as the river turned a corner. After a few minutes a sign-posted side track took us steeply down into the gorge and we were soon enjoying its variety. At times the river was limpid, in other sections we walked rock platforms, all the time walled in by magnificent sandstone cliffs. |
| Bargo Gorge from Jumbuck Leap | Bargo Gorge |
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After rounding a huge U-bend in the river we spied another waterfall, perhaps 10m, with an inviting rock platform on the other bank. A perfect place for morning tea. Fat and glossy skinks joined us as we munched.
At this stage we'd covered a leisurely and scenic 3.2km in 1hr30mins. |
| 2 Crossing the Bargo River to morning tea |
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With infrequent track marking, it took a few minutes to get going again. After an explore back along the right bank, it turned out that the track now continued along the left bank. Crossing back to it, we soon picked up markers.
We continued for another 1.5km in the W-E portion of the Bargo River gorge. Cliffs towered, a party member pointing out a 'crab-claw' like feature high above us where they had previously lunched. Back on the right bank and having just passed Sugarloaf Gully, a party member twisted an ankle. The river provided cool for RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) and we knew we'd have to wait as long as we could to determine the extent of the damage. So the patient and 2 stayed and swam, whilst 2 pressed on. |
| Cliffs above Bargo Gorge just W of Sugarloaf Gully |
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1.3km in 25mins quickly took us to the confluence of the Bargo and Nepean Rivers. A wonderful pool for swimmers, perhaps 50m wide and a few hundred metres long. Brian only had a wade, as his companion is not a devout swimmer. Some hardware about the rock bank. We lunched there.
We spotted huge carp in the deeper pools on our return to the rest of the party. |
| Bargo River joins Nepean River | 3 Flying fox and water intake where the Bargo River joins the Nepean River | Carp in the Bargo River |
On regrouping, the ankle was well strapped and we made our way slowly up Sugarloaf Gully. The afternoon was warming. Options of getting a car closer were available, but in the end the patient bravely walked out. A tribe of kids having great fun at Mermaid Pool, jumping from the high rock ledge and swinging out on the rope. We watched them whilst we rested at arvo tea. Back at the car park, there were another 40 people and 20 cars, as the river is a popular swimming spot there, too.
An excellent walk in a new area for me. Thanks heaps Brian. And to Janet E, Jenny H and Karen C.
Distance: 10.9km Climb: 250m. Time: 9am - 3.10pm (call it 6hrs, with 50mins of stops and a slow walk out of Bargo Gorge.
Grading: M/R,W; M(9)
KMZ file for Google Earth/Maps: Bargo Gorge
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This page last updated 11Aug22