Fortress Canyon - track notes

Entry

Driving west along the Great Western Highway, turn right on to Mt Hay Rd 400m before the main intersection at Leura. Follow this for about 10km to a parking area at  AMG554724. Park your car here and head west along the fire trail. After 1km, turn right on to another fire trail. When this comes to an end, continue on a foot track down the ridge and into the creek. Continue along the creek. Eventually you need to start wading, and this is probably a good spot to put wetsuits on if you are using them.

Notes

There are a number of sections of canyon. The first starts with a short climb down and a 20m swim.

After opening out for a while, the second section starts with a 2m jump. The abseil is soon reached. This is about 6m. It can sometimes be jumped, but this can be dangerous as the water is often shallow.

There is a fair bit of swimming to the end of the canyon. Just past the end of the canyon, the creek goes over the cliff in a 70m waterfall, which is a spectacular spot to have lunch.

Exit

Head back from the edge of the cliff about 50m and look for a track to the south. This leads up to the Fortress, and then back along Fortress Ridge until you rejoin the fire trail you started in on.

Comments

Fortress is a nice canyon, but fairly open. However, the lunch spot at the end is excellent. It is reasonably sustained and there are a number of swims.

Rating: 3/5

Time

4 people, 2 experienced, 2 inexperienced, about 5h from car to car, including lunch.

Tom Brennan : website@ozultimate.com: updated 20050315