Crossing the Grose

Crossing the Grose is one of my favourite training runs/trek! It has everything you could want in a succinct package - it is ideal AR training.

Looking east from Lockleys Pilon Track into the Grose

Single track, fire trail, steep ascents and descents, lots of steps, river crossings, runnable terrain coupled with sections that can only be walked. And most importantly it has outstanding scenery the entire way. A great reward for your sweat. It can be hot, cold, raining and even snowing - so pick your poison!
It comes nicely wrapped at 25 km - about half a day out.

And it packs a lot of punch!

Dean on Lockleys Track

Having completed this outing on a number of occasions, it was time for a bit of new routing - this time we would start in Leura, run the Mt Hay road out to Lockleys Pilon Track, cross the tops and descend the Pilon into the Grose.

David descending the Pilon into the Grose

Looking down the Grose to the mighty walls of Mt Hay

Turn left at the Blue Gum forest and head up to Junction Rock - make another left and begin the long climb out of the valley via Horse Track to Evans Look-out and to complete the crossing - a little trot along the cliff top track to Govetts Leap carpark and a beer at the Blackheath pub.

Grose River looking up at the west wall of Mt Banks

Dean and I tackled this route a couple of Sundays ago - a stunning Autumnal blue sky day, about 12C, no wind - perfect for a tough workout. Six hours later and with the aide of a few Glow Worms, right on dark we made the car-park and a welcome pickup by Carey. The pics below tell the story - another favourite route has been created!