• Walk
  • Map
Time:2 days
Distance:29 km
Fitness:MH
Skill:M
Ascent:520 m
Maps: LPI Mountain Lagoon 9031-3S 1:25000
Sketch maps: Sketch map 1 PDF
Notes:Print-friendly notes (opens in new window)
Please note that while the maps on this web site are useful and generally contain more, and more accurate, information on trails, the relevant topographic maps should be carried on most walks. These are available from the Lands Information Centre, map shops, and most outdoor stores.

Introduction

Great views from high up on Mailes Ridge

The lower Colo River is in many ways as rugged as the upper Colo. Deep pools and scrubby banks make for slow travel through spectacular country. The lower Colo is however more accessible, and civilisation closer at hand. The massive cliffs further upstream give way to more broken slopes. Passes are typically less exposed. It is a good proving ground for more remote trips.

This walk explores a section of the lower Colo by making use of two existing tracks. The track along Gospers and Mailes Ridges to Colo Meroo is separated by about 8km of untracked and challenging river walking from the T3 Track which ends at Tootie Creek. Joining them altogether enables a loop walk.

It is advisable to have previously walked the T3 Track to Tootie Creek, as locating the start of it is difficult from the bottom.

The walk is best in late spring or early autumn. The weather should be warm for long wades in the river, but ideally not too hot for the ridge walks in and out.

Access

Scrambling off Meroo

From Richmond, follow signs to Lithgow along Bells Line of Road. Take the signposted turnoff on the right to Mountain Lagoon at Bilpin after about 28km. Follow Mountain Lagoon Rd for 12.0km to a turnoff to the left to Bean Lane - the last few kilometres are unsealed. Continue along Mountain Lagoon Rd for another 500m and turn left on to Sams Way. Follow Sams Way for 1.2km to where a fire trail branches off north, and there is a sign saying "Walking Tracks - Colo Meroo and Tootie Creek". Park your car here.

Track notes

From 11 Sep 1999, last checked 04 Nov 2017

Day 1: Mountain Lagoon to Colo River (17km, 110m ascent, 7-10 hours)

From Sams Way, walk north along the fire trail for 400m to a fork in the trail and a locked gate. The left hand branch is the Tootie Creek (T3) Track, which you will return on. The right hand branch is the Gospers Ridge Track, signposted to Colo Meroo. Take the right hand branch and follow it. After a short steep uphill, the fire trail swings roughly east for about 2km, and then roughly north east for about 1.5 km. After another 1.5 km heading roughly east you should reach a track junction at about MGA848985. By this stage the fire trail is more like a wide foot track. The right branch continues down Gospers Ridge to Upper Colo, so take the left branch which swings north on to Mailes Ridge.

Sandy walking along the river

Continue north on a foot track along Mailes Ridge. After a couple of kilometres the ridge starts to narrow, and there are great views of the sand banks in the Colo River several hundred metres below from numerous vantage points. The track is vague in places, and while it has very occasional track markers, for the most part, it is unmarked. In general, the track keeps to the ridge, or just below the ridge on the east side.

From the final high point above the river at MGA827047, the track heads down the ridge to the ENE. The descent stays mostly near the nose of the ridge with the exception of one section where it drops off the right hand side to negotiate some small cliffs. Some easy scrambling is involved in that section. Return to the nose of the ridge as soon as possible.

Near the bottom, the track descends steeply to a 4WD trail, and signposts. Turn left and a short walk brings you to the pleasant Colo Meroo Camping Area. There is a large shelter and a pit toilet.

While it is possible to camp here, it makes for a long second day. It is advisable instead to get some distance along the river.

Early morning river crossing

Head down to the river along the marked track that leaves from near the toilets, and wade up the river. If you don't want to walk in your bushwalking shoes, Dunlop Volleys or light sandshoes will come in handy here, although they will fill up with sand regularly. It is also possible to walk in bare feet, but I suggest taping the tender parts of your feet to avoid blisters.

For the first 5km south to the big bend, the Colo is mostly shallow and sandy. The river is dotted with large sandbanks, and deep pools are uncommon and easily avoided. The occasional foray on to the bank is required. As is typical in the Colo, there is plenty of Colo quicksand. The type where your foot goes in 30cm more than you expect and you tip over into the water aided by your pack. A stick or pole can be useful to prevent this.

There is typically an excellent sand bank for camping opposite the creek junction on the big bend, at MGA840000.

Day 2: Colo River to Mountain Lagoon (12km, 500m ascent, 6-9 hours)

The next day, continue walking upstream along the river. As you round the big bend and swing north, the river gets deeper. There are still numerous sandbanks, but the pools between them are more frequent, and often chest deep or more. There are three sets of rapids to bypass, adjacent to three successive creeks that enter the Colo from the west. The first is at MGA833008, about 1km upstream from the big bend. The water is usually deep near the rapids, and longer excursions on to the banks may be required. This can be slow going as the banks become scrubby in places.

There are several sets of rapids to negotiate between the big bend and Tootie Creek

The fourth set of rapids marks the Tootie Creek junction. This is where you will leave the river. Locate the rough track that leaves from the big sandbank, just below the junction. It climbs steeply up a small gully before cresting the ridge. The start of the track is hard to find. After the first steep pitch there is a saddle, not visible on the map, at MGA822027, and a good lookout back to the cliffs and the river.

If you are unable to find the start of the track, the best alternative is to head up Tootie Creek a little way and climb the obvious ridge, continuing along the ridge until the track becomes obvious around the saddle noted above.

The next section is the steepest, climbing up under the cliffs to the west, before cutting back east on a higher, narrow ledge to a particularly spectacular lookout.

From there continue up the ridge, over a number of unmarked knolls. After 2km of steep climbing you will reach the fire trail, from where it is about 5km of easy walking back to your car.

More great views of the Colo River and Mt Townsend from the T3 Track

Related walks

Crawfords Lookout to Dooli Creek

Time: 2 days Distance: 21 km Fitness: M Skill: MH Ascent: 460 m

A challenging walk through some of the best scenery in the upper Colo River.

Crawfords Lookout

Time: 2 hrs Distance: 8 km Fitness: E Skill: EM Ascent: 240 m

A short walk to a spectacular lookout over Wollemi Creek and the upper Colo River.

Colo Meroo

Time: 2 days Distance: 24 km Fitness: EM Skill: EM Ascent: 580 m

Good views of the Colo River on the way to this excellent camp ground by the river itself

Tootie Creek (T3 Track)

Time: 4 hrs Distance: 6 km Fitness: M Skill: EM Ascent: 500 m

A steep but short and spectacular walk to the Colo River at its junction with Tootie Creek

Canoe Creek

Time: 4 hrs Distance: 6 km Fitness: EM Skill: EM Ascent: 400 m

A relatively easy route to the magnificent Colo River, with good swimming and the option of camping.

Bob Turners Track

Time: 2 hrs Distance: 6 km Fitness: E Skill: E Ascent: 280 m

One of the easiest routes to the Colo River. A lovely pool and beach make it a delightful spot for swimming, although it is a decent climb in and out.

Personal reports

11-12/11/2017 - Colo River: Mountain Lagoon - Gospers Ridge - Mailes Ridge - Colo Meroo - Colo River - Townsend Bend (C) - Colo River - Tootie Creek - T3 Track - Mountain Lagoon [SBW] (photos)

22-23/10/2011 - Colo River: Mountain Lagoon - Gospers Ridge - Mailes Ridge - Colo Meroo - Colo River - Townsend Bend (C) - Colo River - Tootie Creek - T3 Track - Mountain Lagoon [SBW][L] (report | photos)

11-13/09/1999 - Colo River: Mountain Lagoon - Mailes Ridge - (C) Colo Meroo - Colo River - (C) Tootie Creek - T3 Track - Mountain Lagoon - intended as a two day walk, but ran out of time in failing light and had to stay out an extra night (report | photos)

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