Section S
click on thumbnail to see larger photo.
Bark |
S1 |
Kero Spur junct
WMACLCCOM1 0400574/6592725 ASL 240 down
Macleay to MACLBOTTGU 0402200/6591580
ASL230 |
4.0 km |
60 minutes |
S2 |
MACLBOTTGU 0402200/6591580
to OVENCAMP 0403200/6590750 ASL220 |
2.5 km |
35 minutes |
No profiles needed-
total descent 10 m in each case
1: 25000 Map |
Projection
(AGD 66) |
Waypoint Name |
Zone |
Eastings |
Northings |
HASL
(metres) |
Winterbourne |
UTM |
MACLCCOMB1 |
56J |
0400574 |
6592725 |
240 |
Winterbourne |
UTM |
MACLBOTTGU |
56J |
0402200 |
6591580 |
230 |
Winterbourne |
UTM |
OVENCAMP |
56J |
403200 |
6590750 |
220 |
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All measurements are from Kerosene Spur (MACLCCOMB1).
Summer Camp, the handiest good campsite above MACLCCOMB1 is
about 20 minutes upstream. (See 010 in Section R Photoguide). From
here down the Macleay is developing wide banks, and the walking is
very easy. However, unless it is very dry, yoy will get your feet
wet. There are at least four crossings to Bottom Gully camp,
and another two to Oven Camp. All S1 and S2 are included in the
photos below, and there is really no need for a track on the map, as
it will vary from year to year- just follow the river, and cross
where you can. Similarly, as the river only drops at about 3 m per km,
with no waterfalls or steep section, a profile is not included |
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The Wollomombi Wattle (Acacia blakei subsp.
diphylla) is a tree to 11 m. with adult phyllodes
curved, green>glaucous, 5-13 x 0.5-1.8 mm and
flowers in cylindrical heads in spring to early summer, often seen
in the gorges. |
Deep Yellow Wood, or Yellow Cedar (Rhodosphaera
rhodanthema) is a tree to 20 m
with scaly grey-brown bark, alternate compound leaves with 3-11
leaflets 3-10 Xx1-2.5 cm, pinkish-red flowers in spring, and a brown
8-11 mm fleshy fruit in persistent thick clusters. |
A comfortable camp, level, near a good pool. This
is beside waypoint MACLBOTTGU , the start of the climb SW
onto Oven Camp Ridge to rejoin Tabletop Trail a little S of Tabletop Mountain . That is one of the hardest exits from
the Macleay. A very steep climb onto a roller-coaster ridge. See
Section T for the horrific details. |
Striding out across the Macleay, about halfway between Bottom Gully
and Oven Camp. The river was at an average height, and quite easy to
cross all the way down to East Kunderang on this trip. You can
easily maintain a pace of about 5 km an hour under these conditions
in the lower Macleay. |
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When you start to see the long low cliffs, you know you are getting
near Oven Camp. |
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The Gorge Wattle (Acacia ingramii) in the
rockface clefts is very commonly found as a very beautiful bonsai
growing very well in similar positions. When Don grew one in his
garden, it shot up into a straggly, ugly thing about 8 m high.
Almost completely confined to the Macleay gorges. (Photo Don
Hitchcock). |
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On the Long Point N side of the Macleay, opposite
Oven Camp, and looking up Kunderang Yard Creek.
There is a good campsite on this side as well. There is a track up
and along
Long Point Ridge. To meet the road to the
Waterfall Way. |
The red sedimentary cliffs that mark Oven Camp.
Dingoes often howl from their bases, and it seems to be magnified to
carry well up the Macleay. |
The tents are up, the washing’s done- now to get
a bit of firewood before it gets too dark, and relax over dinner to
the Dingo Symphony.
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