Dadder Cave and Jack Evans track
Download & Print Map and Notes
2 Days
10.3 km Circuit
535 m
Very experienced only
(0km) Pisgah Rock track head → Pisgah Rock Intersection
760 m
14 mins
21m
-17m
Moderate track
From the Pisgah Rock car park (2.2km further along Nepean Lookout Fire Trail from the Oaks Picnic Area), this walk follows the ‘Pisgah Rock 700mt’ sign along the old management trail. The track meanders through the Eucalypt and Casuarina forest as it climbs a gentle hill and then heads down the other side. The track soon comes to an intersection with a small bush track off to the left, from the intersection there are glimpses of the valley views.
(0.76km) Pisgah Rock Intersection → Attic Cave
250 m
6 mins
13m
-23m
Experienced only
Turn right: From the intersection, the walk follows the old management trail that very soon narrows into a bush track as it heads away from the view (keeping the valley to the left). The tracks then emerges from the bush to cut across a rock shelf and into the scrub again. Once in the gully the track turns left to climb down the ‘V’ in the rock. At the bottom of the climb the walk heads right under the now obvious sandstone cave. The walk continues following the base of this cliff line along a fairly clear track passing several interesting sandstone overhangs. Soon the track comes to a large overhang and fire circle at Attic camping cave. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.
Attic Cave
Attic Cave, near Pisgah Rock in the lower blue mountains is a large sandstone overhang. The cave has been used by walkers as an overnight camp for many decades. The cave could comfortably sleep about 5 people. There is a log book in a tin cake box on the rock shelf, making for some interesting reading, and awaiting your story. There is a fire circle, and the cave is reasonably well protected from the weather. The name Attic Cave is said to have come from the hole, a shelf, in the top of the cave, forming an attic.
(0.76km) Pisgah Rock Intersection → Pisgah Rock
20 m
1 mins
0m
-5m
Moderate track
Veer left: From the intersection this walk takes the short bush track toward the view of the valley. The track comes to the unfenced cliff and great view from the top of Pisgah Rock and a sign posted ‘take care when walking near cliffs’.
Pisgah Rock
Pisgah Rock, is a short walk from Nepean Lookout Fire Trail in the lower Blue Mountains, and provides excellent views up Erskine Creek Gorge. The informal lookout is not fenced, and the surface is uneven with large crevasse like cracks. The view is simply amazing, with great views right up the middle of Erskine Creek Gorge. There are also great views to the left, down Erskine Creek Gorge and across the flats of the southern parts for greater Sydney. The rock presumably derives its name from the height point on Mount Nebo, where the Bible reports Moses seeing the promised land for the first time. In Hebrew pisgah refers to a high place. This Pisgah Rock is very much a high place, with great views.
(0.78km) Pisgah Rock → Junction of Erskine and Lincoln Crks
610 m
21 mins
18m
-200m
Very experienced only
Turn right: From the ‘take care when walking near cliffs’ signpost on Pisgah Rock this walk now follows the rock at the top of the cliff keeping the valley below to the left. After passing a couple of very steep looking cracks in the rock, the faint track comes to a much more gentle looking pass with a large Banksia growing out of it. The walk heads down through this pass. The track turns right and heads down a much steeper climb through the V in the rock. At the bottom of this climb the bush track leads to a small unfenced rock platform. The walk then turns right heading down the couple more climbs then turns left back under the rock platform. The track continues to wind down several more steep rocky climbs following a faint track and cairns. after most climbs the track generally tends left and down hill. After the last climb, the track heads away from the cliff making, tending left heading fairly steeply to an intersection near the junction of Erskine Creek and Lincoln Creek.
Junction of Erskine and Lincoln Creeks
The junction of Erskine and Lincoln Creeks, in the Blue Mountains National park, occurs at a large rock platform. The rock platform contains many water holes, a few large square boulders and a few short cascades. There are breath taking views up looking Erskine Creek Gorge. Looking up to the escarpment, to the north east, there is a view of Pisgah Rock. This area floods after rain, but when water levels are normal, this can be a lovely place to rest and enjoy the creeks and gorge.
(1.38km) Junction of Erskine and Lincoln Creeks → Lower Lincoln Campsite
70 m
2 mins
3m
-4m
Experienced only
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk cross Lincoln Creek at the rock pools staying upstream of the small cascade (this may be impassable after rain). On the other side of the creek the walk picks up a faint track heading gently up the ridge. Soon the track opens up into a large campsite with some wonderful grass trees.
Lower Lincoln Campsite
This well established campsite is found about 60m up the spur, south west of the junction of Lincoln and Erskine Creek. The large campsite has enough room for 6-10 tents and has an established campfire with log seats. The campsite is set among some lovely eucalypt and grass trees. Water from both creeks should be treated before drinking. If this campsite is full, there are a few alternative smaller sites in the area, one further up the hill, and another down by Erskine Creek.
(1.46km) Lower Lincoln Campsite → Dadder Cave
1.5 km
32 mins
67m
-40m
Very experienced only
Turn left: From the eastern side of the campsite this walk follows the narrow track towards Erskine Creek. Just before the creek the track turns right and heads up stream. The track soon fades and becomes undefined, this walk continues along the flood bank to find a good spot to cross to the other side of Erskine Creek. There are a few cossing options before coming to the land slide, feet will most likely get wet (the creek may be impassable after rain). When crossing notice the rounded hill upstream, Dadder cave is about 1km before it. One on the eastern bank the walk continues upstream heading towards the rounded hill with Erskine creek now to the right. The walk passes several smaller caves and as the walk gets closer to Dadder Cave a fairly well defined track forms leading up behind a large boulder and into the cave. The cave is just upstream from, and on the opposite side of the gorge, from a gully entering Erskine Creek from the west. The cave has clearly been used for camping for some time, with a campfire, and left over camping material.
Dadder Cave
Dadder cave, is a large sandstone cave, that has been used as a camping cave by bushwalkers for several decades. The cave is on the easter side of Erskine Creek, about 1.5km upstream from the junction with Lincoln Creek. The large cave is about 30m up the bank and fairly well protected from the weather. There is enough room to sleep about 6 people, more if people are comfortable with each other, and happy to spread along the full length of the cave. A large stone fire place, a bench seat, and a few other items have been left by previous walkers. A log book that makes interesting reading is found under a tarp at the high end of the cave. The cave make a great base camp, for walkers planning to spend some time enjoying Erskine Creek. The name ‘Dadder’ is believed to come from Death Adder, abbreviated to D’adder, and then finally to Dadder. Erskine Creek provides plenty of water, treat the water before drinking.
End of day 1
This is the planned overnight stay for the end of day 1, happy camping.
(3km) Dadder Cave → Junction of Erskine and Lincoln Creeks
1.6 km
34 mins
44m
-70m
Very experienced only
Turn around: From Dadder cave this walk heads out the high end of the cave picking up, and following a track from the gum tree. The creek can be heard below and to the left, as the track heads around the large boulder on the uphill side. The track soon fades to a foot pad, and is not visible at times, but the walk continues following the creek downstream. The clearest route often takes the walker higher up the bank and across rock platforms and around boulders. The creek is not always clearly visible. The walk keeps the creek on the left until finding a good place to cross after passing the land slide on the oppersite bank (this creek may be impassable after rain). Once on the western bank the walk follows the flood bank, through the dense scrub. Before to long a faint track appears and becomes clearer as it leads down stream. About 50m before the junction with Lincoln Creek, the track turns left up away from the creek. Following this track left, leads up short hill to a large open campsite.
Turn right: From the campsite, this walk takes the track from the lowest point in the campsite near the grass tress and heads down the hill. The track soon open up onto the rock pools on Lincoln Creek a few meters above Erskine Creek. The walk crosses Lincoln Creek upstream of the small cascade to find a track on the opperite bank near the large boulder (this may be impassable after rain).
Turn right: From the campsite, this walk takes the track from the lowest point in the campsite near the grass tress and heads down the hill. The track soon open up onto the rock pools on Lincoln Creek a few meters above Erskine Creek. The walk crosses Lincoln Creek upstream of the small cascade to find a track on the opperite bank near the large boulder (this may be impassable after rain).
(4.61km) Junction of Erskine and Lincoln Creeks → Rock platform
260 m
7 mins
22m
-13m
Experienced only
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk head downstream along Erskine Creek, keeping the creek to the right. After following the indistinct bush track for a short while it leads to an large open rock platform. The walk continues along the rock until coming to the edge of a large pool at the bottom of the cascades.
Rock Platform
This is a rock platform on Erskine creek about 200m downstream from the junction with Lincoln Creek. The area does flood so depending on water levels this is usually a large rock platform with some interesting water holes, and a lovely cascade flowing into a shallow pool. Although this lacks the majestic view up Erskine Creek (found a short distance upstream), this spot does provide an open spot, great for a snack, lunch and to rest.
(4.87km) Rock platform → Lower Erskine Campsite
2.3 km
51 mins
98m
-141m
Very experienced only
Veer left: From the end of the rock platform, the walk heads downstream initially by following the rock fall on the northern bank. There is a faint foot pad that lasts a short while. Find a good place to cross to the other bank (may be impassable after rain), where a rock shelf on the southern bank make walking easier. After passing the large gully the foot pad has all but disappeared, the walk continues down stream keeping the creek on the left. About half way along the large cliff high on the other side of the creek, the bank on the western side becomes difficult to pass due to another cliff. From here find a good place to cross (may be impassable after rain) and pick up the faint foot pad on the other side. The foot pad continues downstream (now with the creek on the right) and passes a few rock platforms at times. The track becomes more distinct as it gets closer to Jack Evans track. Not far before Jack Evans track the footpad comes to a small campsite with a fire circle on the left.
Lower Erskine Campsite
A small campsite, just up from the eastern bank of Erskine Creek, a short distance north of where Jack Evans track crosses the creek. The campsite has a small fire circle, and enough space for one maybe two tents. Erskine creek is a handy water supply (treat before drinking).
(7.14km) Lower Erskine Campsite → Int of Jack Evans Track and Erskine Creek
110 m
2 mins
4m
-2m
Experienced only
Continue straight: From the campsite this walk heads down stream keeping the creek to the right. Following a faint bush track the walk soon comes to an intersection with the Jack Evans Track just above a small sandy beach.
(7.25km) Int of Jack Evans Track and Erskine Creek → Int of Jack Evans and the lower Erskine tracks
100 m
2 mins
6m
-5m
Experienced only
Turn left: From the intersection just above sandy beach on the creek, this walk follows the clear bush track away from the creek and up the gentle hill. The track soon turns right and follows the creek on the right, downstream for a little while. The track then tends left up hill passing through a tunnel of vegetation to emerge onto an intersection with the more distinct Jack Evans and lower Erskine tracks
(7.35km) Int of Jack Evans and the lower Erskine tracks → Eastern side of natural dam wall
180 m
7 mins
30m
-17m
Experienced only
Turn right: From the intersection, this walk follows the wider bush track down hill keeping the sound of Erskine Creek to the right, soon the creek is in view. The track soon fades to a become a less distinct bush track leading up the bank away from the creek. The track climbs to a large boulder providing great views of the pool in Erskine Creek. The track then leads down to the natural charcoal deposits and continues along the creek edge to the water depth indicators. (A remote monitoring box is visible up the hill).
Veer left: From the water depth indicators this walk follows the creek down stream keeping Erskine Creek on the right. The faint bush track soon leads to the visible series of large boulders forming a natural dam wall. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.
Veer left: From the water depth indicators this walk follows the creek down stream keeping Erskine Creek on the right. The faint bush track soon leads to the visible series of large boulders forming a natural dam wall. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Veer right.
Natural dam pool
A series of very large boulders have formed a natural dam on Erskine Creek, about 170m north of Big Crater Creek. The dam forms a large lovely pool upstream. The pool is used by Sydney Water for measurements, and a water depth indicator is bolted to the rock. The pools is not safe to dive or jump into, there are many submerged objects.
(7.35km) Int of Jack Evans and the lower Erskine tracks → Erskine Lookout
850 m
31 mins
172m
-28m
Hard track
Veer left: From the intersection this walk follows the wider bush track up the hill past the large gum tree. The track then comes to, and climbs a series of timber steps up to a distinct saddle. The track continues gently up the hill for a short distance to come to an intersection with the faint short cut track off to the right.
Continue straight: From the intersection this walk follows the wider bush track up the gentle hill. The track is narrow in places with a drop off to the right. The track then starts to climb the hill using a series of steps and switch backs to wind up through the wonderful sandstone outcrops. The track passes a few nice caves and through gaps in the rock. After the last steep section the track comes to a large rock platform on the left (with some great views). The track continues to follow the main path up the hill, and passes a long sandstone wall on the left of the track. Soon after this sandstone wall, the track comes to a wide sandy patch, with and unfenced rock platform and view on the left. This is the Erskine Lookout, an informal unfenced lookout.
Continue straight: From the intersection this walk follows the wider bush track up the gentle hill. The track is narrow in places with a drop off to the right. The track then starts to climb the hill using a series of steps and switch backs to wind up through the wonderful sandstone outcrops. The track passes a few nice caves and through gaps in the rock. After the last steep section the track comes to a large rock platform on the left (with some great views). The track continues to follow the main path up the hill, and passes a long sandstone wall on the left of the track. Soon after this sandstone wall, the track comes to a wide sandy patch, with and unfenced rock platform and view on the left. This is the Erskine Lookout, an informal unfenced lookout.
Erskine Lookout
This informal and unfenced lookout on Jack Evans Track is in the lower Blue Mountains south west from the end of Nepean Lookout Fire Trail. The lookout is perched high above Erskine Creek and provides wonderful view upstream, and good views downstream. The view down in to the gorge gives a unique perspective of the lower section of Erskine Creek.
(8.2km) Erskine Lookout → End of Nepean Lookout Fire Trail
320 m
8 mins
29m
-1m
Moderate track
Continue straight: From Erskine Lookout, this walk heads up the gentle hill, following the sandy track, keeping the view to the left. The track passes some informal tracks to the left, passes a burnt ‘take care when walking near cliffs’ sign, and continues up the hill getting a little steeper. The track then comes to a silver information sign about ‘Jack Evans Track’. The track then bends left and comes to the car park at the end of the publicly accessible section of the Nepean Lookout Fire Trail.
(8.52km) Car park at end of Nepean Lookout fire trail → Pisgah Rock track head
1.8 km
33 mins
51m
-9m
Easy track
Turn left: From the end of end of Nepean Lookout fire trail, this walk follows the road northward away from the locked gate initially keeping the car park to the left. The road soon comes to an intersection with Pisgah Ridge fire trail (a gated management trail on the right).
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows Nepean Lookout fire trail north west around the left hand bend. The road soon comes to the Machins Crater car park.
Continue straight: From the Machins Crater car park, this walk follows Nepean Lookout fire trail north west, up the hill, initially with Machins Crater track on the left. The road heads up the hill and soon comes the Pisgah Rock track head and car park.
Veer left: From the intersection, this walk follows Nepean Lookout fire trail north west around the left hand bend. The road soon comes to the Machins Crater car park.
Continue straight: From the Machins Crater car park, this walk follows Nepean Lookout fire trail north west, up the hill, initially with Machins Crater track on the left. The road heads up the hill and soon comes the Pisgah Rock track head and car park.
Maps for the Dadder Cave and Jack Evans track walk
You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.
| Penrith | 1:25 000 Map Series | 90303N PENRITH | NSW-90303N |
| Penrith | 1:100 000 Map Series | 9030 PENRITH | 9030 |
Cross sectional view of the Dadder Cave and Jack Evans track bushwalking track
Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Dadder Cave and Jack Evans track
Daily actual walking time estimates
| Day | Walking Time | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 hr 16 mins | 3.2 km |
| 2 | 2 hrs 55 mins | 7.5 km |
Overview of this walks grade – based on the AS 2156.1 – 2001
Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.
| Length | 10.3 km | ||
| Time | 2 Days | ||
| . | |||
| Grade 6/6 Very experienced only |
AS 2156.1 | Gradient | Very steep and difficult scrambles (5/6) |
| Quality of track | Off track (no visible track at times) (6/6) | ||
| Signs | No directional signs (5/6) | ||
| Experience Required | Very high level of bushwalking experience recommended (6/6) | ||
| Weather | Forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather may impact on navigation and safety (4/6) | ||
| Infrastructure | No facilities provided (5/6) |
Some more details of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk
Gradient
3.7km of this walk is very steep with difficult rock scrambles and another 3.1km is very steep. Whilst another 2.7km has gentle hills with occasional steps and the remaining 790m has short steep hills.
Quality of track
5km of this walk follows a known route where there is no visible track and another 2.4km follows a smooth and hardened path. Whilst another 1.4km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles and a 760m section follows a clear and well formed track or trail. The remaining 410m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.
Signs
7km of this walk Has no directional signs and another 1.8km is clearly signposted. Whilst another 1.1km has directional signs at most intersection and the remaining 850m has minimal directional signs.
Experience Required
5km of this walk requires a leader with a high level of bushwalking experience and another 2.6km requires no previous bushwalking experience. Whilst another 1.1km requires some bushwalking experience and a 720m section requires a leader a with moderate level of bushwalking experience. The remaining 610m requires at least one leader with a very high level of bushwalking experience.
weather
5km of this walk is affected by forecast, unforecast storms and severe weather events that may impact on navigation and safety and another 3.8km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation). The remaining (1.1km) is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.
Infrastructure
6km of this walk has no facilities provided and another 1.8km is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats). Whilst another 1.7km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced) and the remaining 420m has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).
Similar walks
648 m Return
20 mins
Moderate track
1.6 km Return
45 mins
Moderate track
2 km Return
1 Hr
Experienced only
2.6 km Return
2 hrs
Experienced only
2.8 km Return
3 hrs
Very experienced only
6 km Return
4 hrs
Very experienced only
7.1 km Circuit
4 hrs 30 mins
Very experienced only
Other Nearby walks
466 m Return
15 mins
Moderate track
1.3 km Return
30 mins
Moderate track
18.1 km One way
7 hrs
Hard track
4.3 km One way
1 hr 45 mins
Experienced only
2.8 km Circuit
1 hr 15 mins
Hard track
4.1 km Circuit
2 hrs
Moderate track
1 km Return
30 mins
Moderate track
512 m Return
30 mins
Hard track
8.3 km Circuit
3 hrs 45 mins
Hard track
8.4 km Circuit
3 hrs 45 mins
Experienced only
218 m Return
20 mins
Moderate track
522 m Return
20 mins
Hard track
Plan your trip to and from the walk here
The Dadder Cave and Jack Evans track walk starts and ends at the Pisgah Rock track head (gps: -33.828459, 150.5717)Your main transport option to Pisgah Rock track head is by;
Car. A park entry fee is required for driving into the park.(get details)
Short URL = http://wild.tl/dcajet
Gallery images
There are other downloads I am still working on.
You will probably need to login to access these — still all free.
* KML (google earth file)
* GPX (GPS file)
Special Maps/ brochures
* A3 topo maps
* PDF with Lands Topo map base
* PDF with arial image (and map overlay)
I wanted to get the main site live first, this extra stuff will come in time.
Happy walking
Matt 🙂
Comments