Boree Log Sunday hike: Rodriguez Pass & Govetts Leap

Good day, Boree-Loggers!

I feel that you should know, DT and I are running a hike on Saturday of Boree Log along the beautiful Evans Lookout, Rodriguez Pass and Govetts Leap walking track. Note: You must be approved to attend Boree Log to come on this hike. Sorry, them’s the rules.

If you think that coming out to the Blue Mountains should mean that you get to see some of the most gorgeous scenery that Australia has to offer, if getting to swim in a mountain waterfall after lunch is a prerequisite to dragging your hungover ass out of your tent on Sunday morning, then whether this is your first or your five hundredth trip to the Blueys, this hike is just fantastic. I came on this hike on my first-ever Boree Log and still love it.

We’ll start at Govetts Leap Lookout, head along the plateau to Evan’s lookout (beautiful views), head down into the valley, trek through the gorgeous mountainous prettyness, stop at the so-tall-its-basically-mist waterfall for a swim after lunch, and tackle the fairly-steep-but-amazing-views Rodriguez Pass on the way out.

Aesthetic gushing aside, here is what you will need to bring on the hike:

• Good walking shoes. (Hiking boots are ideal, sneakers are fine but make sure that they have decent grip. The valley is slippery even when the weather is nice, and it might rain before or during our time out there)
• A hat and/or Sunscreen. This is Australia. If you do not have either sunscreen or a lot of clothing or both, you will get sunburnt.
• A raincoat. It might rain. Be prepared.
• A light jumper might come in handy. The mountains get a lot colder than Sydney, even in March.
• Lunch. Something tasty as a reward for all your hard work 🙂
• Plenty of snacks! Nuts, lollies, dried fruit, muesli bars, whatever will keep your energy levels up. Bribing your trip leaders is always acceptable behaviour.
• AT LEAST 2 LITRES OF WATER. We will be doing a lot of walking, which means you need to be doing a lot of drinking. Simple biology, really.
• A first aid kit, if you have one. Tape and band-aids for blisters is a good idea.
• A car, if you have one. We will need to drive from the campsite to the start of the hike, and home to Sydney afterwards, so if you’re a driver we’ll all be very appreciative towards you.

What time we finish the hike depends on what time we leave the campsite (obviously). That being said I want to be on the road to Sydney by dinnertime. The walk is about 11km long and takes up to 6 hours, varying depending on whether you’re a young person or a grandparent with babies.

NOTE: This is a beginner hike, in that it’s a proper trail which is well-marked, and you’d have to be a bit of a muptard to get lost (*fingers crossed*). BUT there are a lot of stairs both up and down, its long, and we will be doing lots of walking (well, it IS a hike). The final climb out of Rodriguez Pass in particular is terrific training if you’re skipping leg-day to come on camp. It is preferable that you have some kind of minimum fitness level, so that I don’t have to carry you out of the valley. Just bring your sprightly young adventurous selves along to see the beautiful bush!

PLEASE MESSAGE ME IF YOU HAVE A CAR 🙂