Bridle Trail (Bathurst -Hill End)

[Goldmember Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Goldmember]

Hello everyone,

an update on the Bridal Trail; we just got back from a 3 day trip of the area.

the road is quite good all the way through, the road has been graded an flattened on all sections bar The Bluff though that wasn't to rough, I'd say maybe something smaller went up there too as the rain formed trenches were gone. Just don't tow anything. It's some damned impressive reversing required if someone comes the other way; the road is as wide as your Prado...

The river is at the regular level so all crossings are fine. There is a turn off that gives access to the other side of the river, probably one I'd do with a snorkel... A Patrol was there when we went past an the water was up to the lights.

Hawkins Hill was very smooth, better than many tar roads..

However still a 4wd road as good height is still required at a few points.

A great road, breathtaking views, wife and daughter on left side of Prado were left gasping for air after Monaghan's Bluff :-)

There are plenty of nice spacious camping areas dotted along the road, roughly a half had an enviro-loo, with is better than the stainless steel bed pan in the back :-)

[Simmo67 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Simmo67]

Re: Bridle Trail (Bathurst -Hill End)

thanks for the info goldmember. I am heading that way tomorrow for 3 nights.

[Goldmember Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Goldmember]

Re: Bridle Trail (Bathurst -Hill End)

No worries,

great to see people out enjoying it all :-) there's quite a few camping areas and all had a few tents but room for more. The ones across the river were less populated.

Hill end camping area in town was full though the one just out of town wasn't quite there but filling up.

Another great place is Glen Davis; but avoid the area in town, it's pretty full, instead take the left hand turn just before town, marked with a small sign "oskars cottage". Drive up that road to the end, 50 metres and turn right into Wolemi National Park. Follow this trail, once you cross the Capertee River you are on the other side of the Glen Davis oil refinery ruins, and just quietly, on the better side of a $30.00 admission fee too ;-)... The road continues left for a couple of easy track kays an opens up to clearings at the end of the valley where people are camped. Some is mowed, some as high as the bonnet though.

Enjoy, we sure did :-)

kind regards,

Rich

[Ozpat Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ozpat]

Re: Bridle Trail (Bathurst -Hill End)

Just got back myself from the track yesterday . Fantastic views. Plenty of passing points. Just need to note them as you pass them so you know how far back you may need to reverse as I had to once. Beats me how they got those caravans along this track. But i certainly will camp down there soon when I get more gear.

[Simmo67 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Simmo67]

Re: Bridle Trail (Bathurst -Hill End)

Just so you know..

I was out the Bridle Track, from Bathurst to Hill End yesterday (Sunday 1st August 2010) and she was well and truly blocked by a massive boulder near Monaghans Bluff. (Ran into PradoBB with his mates in the Blue Mountains 4WD Club)

As of 10am this morning, Monday 2nd August the Bridle Track is still closed. For inquiries you can call the Bathurst Regional Council on 6333 6111

[Prado BB Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prado BB]

Re: Bridle Trail (Bathurst -Hill End)

Nice meeting you Greg
I will get a photo of the boulder off one of the members and post it up. We ended up spending most of the day on the tarmac and gave up when we attempted to cross the Turon - swollen and flowing like rapids, there was no way we were going to risk it. Did a nice tour of Hill End and Sofala (gee that place reminds me of the movie The Deliverance.)

The rapids :shock:

[Prado BB Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prado BB]

Re: Bridle Trail (Bathurst -Hill End)

This is what ended our Bridle trip.....



Now let's see how long it takes to clear this :|

[Simmo67 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Simmo67]

Re: Bridle Trail (Bathurst -Hill End)

That sure was one hell of a boulder!

I concacted NPWS at Hill End today Wednesday 11/08/2010 and I am told the Bridle Track is still closed due to the rockslide and general instability.

Furthermore, the Turon and Macquarie River crossings are still closed due to flooding.

[Prado BB Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prado BB]

Re: Bridle Trail (Bathurst -Hill End)

thanks for the update Greg. I really want to get back out there so will keep an eye on this thread and also may ring NPWS on occasion

[markD4D Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close markD4D]

Re: Bridle Trail (Bathurst -Hill End)

We are planning on doing the Bridke Track at the end of the month and I just rang NPWS at Hill End to check the status of the road, it is still closed due to the rock fall.

I was given a number at the Bathurst Council to ring to check when it will reopen as they maintain this road.

So it could be closed for a while then!!!!!!!

Mark :cry:

[Prado BB Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prado BB]

Re: Bridle Trail (Bathurst -Hill End)

So it could be closed for a while then!!!!!!!

Mark :cry:

Are you just passing judgment or is that what they told you :twisted:

[Simmo67 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Simmo67]

Re: Bridle Trail (Bathurst -Hill End)

Hey Prado BB

Can you send me the original of that boulder pic urgently I am putting pressure on Bathurst council to open the Bridle Track again. I have sent you P.M

[Prado BB Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Prado BB]

Re: Bridle Trail (Bathurst -Hill End)

Hey Prado BB

Can you send me the original of that boulder pic urgently I am putting pressure on Bathurst council to open the Bridle Track again. I have sent you P.M

Greg, I've sent you an email

[Simmo67 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Simmo67]

Re: Bridle Trail (Bathurst -Hill End)

thanks for the pic Prado BB. Got your email.

Just wondering if yourself, or anybody in the Blue Mountains 4WD Club would have a "larger" pic? This one is only about 127kbites - I am hoping to get a story in the Western Advocate and a larger file size pic would be great if there is one around?

If not, no dramas, and thanks.

[glen_ep Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close glen_ep]

Re: Bridle Trail (Bathurst -Hill End)

Hey fella's

No doubt the boulder is still there, but any updates on the river crossing? I'm hoping to head out there in a couple weeks.