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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Waterflow
Introduction[edit]
Gloucester Falls is an exciting 40m waterfall in a narrow slot.
The trip can be split by exiting/accessing after R4 (1st waterfall on the map), by climbing up/down the rocky ridge on TL opposite where Emperor Falls joins Gloucester River. While it is popular to exit after R4, it is worth to do the full canyon, that presents another 5 large waterfalls and a remarkable slot after R9. An experience party will take 7-10h, car to car, to do the full canyon.
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. | |||
| R1 | 12m | RL | Bolts over the edge |
| R2 | 8m | RR | Sling on tree |
| Scramble downstream into a nice canyon section to the top of the slot waterfall. | |||
| R3 | 6m | RL | use single bolt for safety line to L4 |
| R4 | 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) If you pull ropes over the chockstone, rope can get stuck on the TL groove between the chockstone and the side wall; an abseil from a tree on the exiting ridge might be needed to recover the rope. |
Lower Section
Continue down the river to a 6m jump (or abseil from a tree without sling on RL)
Creek walk 400m
R5 20m TL Sling on tree (2nd waterfall on jpg map)
R6 20m TR Sling on tree. In short succession after R5, separated by a rock platform. (3rd waterfall on jpg map)
Creek walk 600m
R7 55m TR Bolts high on wall on top of boulder, may need access line to cross flow in high water. Down the waterfall that changes direction halfway. It is completed on the true left. In low water, for an easier pull, the last 10m can be downclimbed on TR. (4th waterfall on jpg map)
Creek walk 700m. Various swims and jumps on the way.
R8 25m TL Sling on tree. Into a pool, swim behind waterfall towards the slot to avoid water push onto opposite wall. (5th waterfall on jpg map)
DC or 2m jump (check depth) from chockstone.
R9 3m TL Single bolt on top of log jam (Possible jump, check depth)
Possible exit back to lookouts TR.
DC 2m TL
Creek walk 400m.
R10 has 2 abseiling options or can also be done as a long slide:
R10a 40m TL Bolts. In high flow only, slide 25m, it has a large horizontal step after 15m, 10m from the end, that will be a hard jump with low water. First person down should abseil to check landing pool is free of rocks, logs and branches.
R10b 12m TR on ledge. Sling on tree.
Creek walk 200m
R11 40m TL Sling on tree. Sloping abseil.
Exit[edit]
From upper section, just after R4, find a ridge TL 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, just after R11, from creek just at bottom, gain the exit ridge (MGA 692487). Loose step terrain for first 100m on North side of ridge, cross to South side of ridge as soon as possible as terrain there is firmer. Follow the ridge as per the map to the lookout tracks.
Alternatively, the canyon can be exited walking down the river to Gloucester River NSWNP campground. Overnight gear will be needed in this case as the full trip then takes 1 day and a half.
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