Dalpura Canyon - track notes

• 29/11/2008 - photos
• 22/11/2003 - report - photos

Dalpura is a relatively short canyon on the north side of the Grose Valley. It has one short abseil and it is usually easy to avoid swimming. The canyon is pleasant but not particularly spectacular. Access is quite easy making it a short day.

Drive about 2.8km past the Mt Wilson turn off on Bells Line of Rd, and park at the start of a fire trail (not marked on the map) just after the safety barrier ends at MGA505864. Walk along the fire trail for about 50m, and look for a track to the left down the ridge. Follow this down to the creek. The canyon starts around MGA502856.

There is a short canyoniferous section, with a deepish pool that can be avoided. After a bit of a creek bash, the main canyon starts with a 4m overhung abseil from slings around a rock. This finishes on a ledge, and you can either swim or sidle the pool. Some more canyon sections follow, one with a potential drop of about 3m. Depending on the log situation you may be able to descend this directly. Otherwise scramble on the right, or alternatively handline or abseil it. The end of the canyon is reached with an 8m waterfall.

By traversing right you can continue along the cliffline to ledges with excellent views of the Grose Valley.

From the final waterfall, the exit track heads up to the right, to the cliffline. Traverse under the cliff line until it ends and up on to the ridge. Follow the ridge back to where you can get up through the cliffs. Join up with the fire trail on Jinki Ridge and back to the car.

A nice canyon, and an excellent creek, with a fair bit of variety. It only has a couple of dark sections. An easy canyon to do.

You can usually avoid swimming, and there are only one or two wades to chest deep. Most parties should be able to do without wetsuits.