Gloucester Falls
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| | Raps:6, max ↨131ft
Red Tape: Shuttle:None Vehicle:Passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Best season: | Oct-Apr (avg for this region)
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-32.0986, 151.6000
-32.0952, 151.5966
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Introduction[edit]
Gloucester Falls is an exciting 40m waterfall in a narrow slot.
The trip is in two parts. More popular is the upper section, that includes the main falls. As a lower extension, there is the river below the falls with a number of cascades and slides. Most parties just do the upper section with the main falls.
Use the river gauge 208008 Gloucester River at Forbesdale (may need to follow the link twice).
- <100 ML/d: A3
- 100-160 ML/d: A4, may need to use redirects on the main falls
- >160 ML/d: High water
Approach[edit]
The GPX above shows the lower section done as a standalone trip. For entering the upper canyon, use the map below.
Descent[edit]
| Rap | L/R | M | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enter at the swimming hole just off the tourist track. Scramble a short distance downstream. | |||
| L1 | 12m | RL | Bolts over the edge |
| L2 | 8m | RR | Sling on tree |
| Scramble downstream into a nice canyon section to the top of the slot waterfall. | |||
| L3 | 6m | RL | use single bolt for safety line to L4 |
| L4 | 35m | RL | Need a longer pull strand. There are two optional rigged redirects, first at about 3m. If you need to get onto the chockstone in high flow to avoid water and boils in pool below, use the second redirect at 20-25m (slippery to access) |
Lower Section
L1 & L2 come in short succession down a waterfall and are separated by a rock platform in the centre of the river.
L3 starts off a boulder down a waterfall and is completed on the true left
Various swims and jumps
L4 off a tree on the left beside a waterfall into a pool
Can exit back to the lookouts after this point; or continue on to “Twenty minutes later was the fastest and wildest water slide we experienced in a week of canyoning. Heart stopping but exhilarating, and (phew!) no rock at the bottom”
L5 sloping abseil of ~40m before reaching the creek at bottom of the exit ridge (MGA 692487)
Exit[edit]
From upper section: Find a ridge RL directly after the slot. Straightforward walking up the ridge, with a path forming near the top. Follow the path along the ridge to the lookout.
For the lower section, follow the ridge as per the map.
Red tape[edit]
Beta sites[edit]
Fat Canyoners Barrington descent with some extra info
Trip reports and media[edit]
Richard Pattison, Gloucester River Canyon movie
