Page 32 - 80 Walks by 80 Leaders 2

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Date: 14 May 2019
Par�cipants: Chris Edwards, Adrienne Kinna, Robyn Chris�e, John Booth, Allison Boyle, Trevor McAlister, Lucy
Moore, Rogo, Kumiko Suzuki, Soo Lee Chen, Sarah Hurley, Jan Spencer, Walter Baer, Laurie Olsen, Melinda
Long, Jill Paillas, Barbara Mitchell, Tom Dowling, Marg Mohandas, Kaye Birch, Sandra See, Lynn Dabbs, Bill
Donoghoe, Jenny Donoghoe, Kevin Williams and guest Ruth Watson.

Stairs and along the lovely bracken and treed sec�on of
Kerosene shalelooks likecoal butis lighterin weight.Kerosene
Federal Pass to the second access path to Ruined Castle. The
shale was found at Ruined Castle and the mine registered in
steep scramble up was rewarded by fantas�c views at the top.
1885.
Some of the party ate lunch perched on top of Ruined Castle. An aerial ropeway known as the Flying Fox was constructed
The ravens and currawongs weren't dive-bombing as they across the Jamieson Valley to the engine bank (near the upper
have on previous occasions. The remainder of the party found
terminus of the Scenic Railway). It collapsed a�er only 6
some comfy rocks further along the track for lunch.
months. Wreckage is s�ll strewn across the valley. The
Trevor McAlister and his daughter Ruth (our guest) le� early company went into liquidation. The Australian Kerosene Oil
to make sure Ruth made her flight home. and Mineral Company took over the Glen Shale Oil company
and some �me a�er the Ruined Castle Mine. They decided to
We came safely down the easier descent to Federal Pass and concentrate their efforts on the Glen Shale Mine staffed by
re-traced our steps to Golden Stairs. Due to the closure of miners from a se�lement in Nellie's Glen which was accessed
Furber Steps our preferred route via the Landslide wasn't by a precipitous descent down Dixon's Ladder. The settlement
available so we climbed Golden Stairs to Narrowneck. We had a bakery, butchery and public hall.
were serenaded by a lyrebird during our climb and several of
us sighted for the first �me the log alongside the stair rails By 1895 both mines were winding down and were abandoned
which hasGolden Stairscarved into it.(Thanks for sharingyour by 1903. Coal con�nued to be mined closer to the current
knowledge Rogo!) The Golden Stairs were the route to a day's Scenic Railway un�l later.
Walk descrip�on: freedom from work for the miners working the shale oil mine
Katoomba Sta�on Scenic World, Glenraphael Drive to Golden at Ruined Castle who camped in the valley during the working
Stairs then Federal Pass to Ruined Castle Track (steep climb). week.
Return will be via same route due to closure of Furber Steps.
Climbs will be at relaxed pace. Map: Katoomba The light reflec�ng on the cliff face looked wonderful and
Solitary also.

Report:
The trudge along Narrowneck passed quickly and everyone
A perfectsunny day saw25 membersand 1guest enjoy a great
was transported back to the station in �me for the 3.50 pm
walk.
train.
A�er car-pooling to Scenic World we setoff along Narrowneck
A great day out!
with a stop for morning tea at a lookout with great views over
both the Megalong and Jamieson Valleys. The walk along
Glenraphael Drive passed quickly then it was down the Golden
Report by: Chris Edwards 22 Photos: Tom Dowling, Adrienne Kinna