Lockleys Pylon & Du Faur Head
Having my morning coffee, I looked over a map of Blue Mountains bushwalks and saw the Lockleys Pylon walk. I was curious about this walk. Recently when I drove past its car park, it was pretty full. So, I figured I’d see what all the fuss was about.
As I pulled into the car park of the trailhead, I immediately saw multiple ambulances and a police rescue 4WD. I chatted to the ambo, and the trail was still open. So off I went. Whatever had gone wrong was 40 mins in.
After about 200m, I arrive at The Pinnacles. The Pinnacles are a set of three rocky outcrops. I decide to climb up the last one, and the view up top is pretty good.
The trail is well-built. There are many reinforced steps, and branches appear to be cut back. This trail must get many people. The start of the trail follows a long ridge and allows you to look down the valley on your left. This part of the trail is so-so compared to the rest of the trail.
Just as I crested a small hill, I saw some Ambos and the police rescue. I continued along the trail. I can see someone walking slowly with walking poles, and as I walk past, I have a small chat with her. The poor lady had rolled her ankle pretty badly and would be airlifted out. I offered some words of encouragement and let her get to a clearing for the helicopter. I watch the helicopter come in and land, and I’m on my way.
The trail so far had been pretty standard Blue Mountains bush. I walk over Mount Stead (918m), which I hardly notice, and then the view reveals itself. Wow. I instantly recognise Mount Banks and the Grose Valley. It’s a far better vantage point than Butterbox Point.
The landscape changes to heath with no trees. The views are pretty amazing. I can see Lockleys Pylon in the distance but decide to walk down along the rock formations.
The views here are probably the best in the Blue Mountains. I can see Fortress Falls in the distance and can hear people enjoying a swim in Fortress Falls.
I spent an hour here having lunch and just enjoying the views. They’re pretty spectacular. After the small break, I finally walked to the top of Lockleys Pylon. There’s a mound of rocks. This isn't a trig station, though. It’s interesting to see.
I continue onto Shortridge Pass to get down to Du Faur Head. This track is interesting as no one knows who created it or the stone steps down to Du Faur Head. It was rediscovered in 1931 by Reginald Gordon Shortridge, and to this day, it’s simply a mystery as to who created the trail down to the Blue Gum forest.
I continue down the trail, and the trail requires you to do a bit of rock scrambling with a good 1.5m drop in one section. I eventually get down to Du Faur Head (793m) which is a bluff above the junction of Govett Gorge and Grose Gorge. The view of Govett Gorge connecting to Grose Gorge is fantastic. And at this particular vantage point, you can see right down the middle of Grose Gorge.
After a while, I head back up the very steep steps to the car park. I did 21 bushwalks in 2022, and this bush walk has the best views of all of them. I only wish I had brought some binoculars.
