Weddin Mountains National Park: Holy Camp to Ben Halls Camping Ground

General Information

Distance: 13.85 kilometers return
Total climb: 762 meters
Time taken: 3 hours 40 minutes
Maps:  Grenfell 8530-S 1:50 000; Marsden 8430-S 1:50 000
Guide:  link
Start point distance by road from Canberra GPO:  221 kilometers
Start point map grid reference:  55H EC 92712 48676 [Grenfell]
Destination map grid reference:  55H EC 88176 47986 [Marsden]
End point:  same as start

Route

http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/

Description

The starting point for the hike was Holy Camp on the eastern edge of the National Park. Approaching from Grenfell, I drove Holy Camp Road for 14 kilometers until it ends at Holy Camp carpark. The first 10 kilometers of Holy Camp Road is sealed, although narrow, and possibly from what I saw flood-prone. The final 4 kilometers is gravel, and after the recent rain was in a pretty bad state. I had no difficulty getting through, albeit slowly, with a Honda CRV. I commenced hiking at 11:30am, following a clearly signposted and easy-to-follow track, with the Weddin Mountain Range looming above.

The track passes through open forest for 900 meters before striking the gully of an unnamed creek, where the track is a bit more difficult to follow, particularly where it goes over rocks.

About 600 meters elevation (200 meters above and 1.4 kilometers distance from the starting point), a short side-track takes hikers to the first vantage point on the ascent, Peregrine Lookout. There are some excellent views here to the north and east.

Continuing along the track up a steep climb for another 1.2 kilometers, there is eventually another short side-track leading to Eualdrie trig. At 733 meters elevation, Eualdrie also has excellent views to the north and east (though probably more spectacular in less overcast conditions).

Returning to the main track, I headed roughly west through some scrubby and unappealing forest before striking Basin Gully at approximately 3.9 kilometers into the hike. At this point the track is often indistinct, and is best followed by looking out for round white reflectors nailed to trees and logs. Even so, I found myself pausing at several points before I could find the next reflector. The rest of the track follows Basin Gully, which becomes narrower and deeper as you descend.

At the time that I was hiking, there was plenty of water in the creek and, as the track crosses it many times, it became quite a challenge to stay dry. At some crossings I had to take a running leap to get over the creek, or look for rocks or trees step across. The wet rocks were treacherous, however, and at one point I found myself almost up to my knees in water after slipping in. In coming down the Gully there are occasional glimpses of farmland out to the west.

Only 300 meters short of Ben Halls Camping Ground I found a final wide, deep and fast-flowing creek crossing that I decided not to attempt, and started the hike back the way that I had come. Having descended to an elevation of 330 meters, it is a mildly taxing 400 meter climb over a 4 kilometre distance back to Eualdrie trig, followed by 320 meter decent over a 2.6 kilometre distance to get back to the carpark. Some feral goats were sighted in the gully below Peregrine Lookout.

The NSW National Parks rate the section from Holy Camp to Eualdrie trig as Grade 4 (Bushwalking experience recommended. Tracks may be long, rough and very steep. Directional signage may be limited.), and the section from Euraldrie trig to Ben Hall's Camping Ground as Grade 5 (Very experienced bushwalkers with specialised skills, including navigation and emergency first aid. Tracks are likely to be very rough, very steep and unmarked.). Their suggested time to do both of these sections and return is a very generous 5.5 to 7.5 hours. Although I completed the walk in 3 hours 40 minutes, I was probably quicker than I'd normally be because I was walking alone (which I never recommend!) and was on a tight deadline to get back to Cowra that afternoon. The hike was far more challenging than I had expected. Some sore muscles at the end of the day, but a lot of satisfaction too. In terms of aesthetics, some of the forest traversed is a bit unattractive, but the gullies and high vantage points (Peregrine and Euraldrie) more than compensate. It is well worth the effort if you happen to be in or passing through the area. The track is generally in good condition, even after all the rain, and its indistinctness through Basin Gully is a satisfying challenge.

An interesting postscript: Weddin Mountains National Park was closed due to "inclement and prevailing weather conditions" just two days after I completed this hike. At the time of posting it is not expected to reopen until 17 October 2016.