Walks off Mt Hay Rd in the Blueys

[Osik]

Hi all
I’m heading up to the Blue Mountains with my sister for the weekend. Looking at doing a couple of walks that I haven’t done before and thought about the following:
Fortress Ridge (http://www.wildwalks.com/bushwalking-an ... trail.html)
Lockley Pylon (http://www.wildwalks.com/bushwalking-an ... pylon.html) or
Mt Hay (http://www.wildwalks.com/bushwalking-an ... olith.html)

I’ve done a fair bit of walking and trail running up the blueys but nothing off Mt Hay Rd. Anyone have any favourites, or other recommendations (ie linking, side trips?). Just one car so car shuffles are out, anything between 2-6 hours is fine.
Thanks!

[johnw]

All three you’ve listed are well worth doing. None of them more than 2 or 3 hours.
If you want something longer you could extend Lockley Pylon down to Blue Gum Forest, if you don’t mind a steep descent/return with some exposure at one spot. Similarly it is possible to traverse around the eastern part of Mt Hay, below the summit and find a steep, narrow ridge down to Venus Tor. More negotiable route than track, some navigation needed. Also possible to extend Fortress Ridge and visit Dr Darks Cave as a side trip on the way back. Can be a bit obscure to find the final bit, but I think SIX maps now shows the track.

p.s. If visiting Mt Hay, extending to the Butterbox Point area is a must. Also check Mt Hay road conditions as it often deteriorates to almost 4WD only status.

[Osik]

Thanks John, that’s great help! The road’s actuually just been reopened as of tomorrow after being closed for the last 2 weeks for grading so hopefully its in good nick. Cheers again.

[FatCanyoner]

Did you get out there on the weekend? I'm curious what the road was like given it's only just reopened following road works.

[tom_brennan]

Similarly it is possible to traverse around the eastern part of Mt Hay, below the summit and find a steep, narrow ridge down to Venus Tor. More negotiable route than track, some navigation needed.

There's a pad from the Mt Hay summit to Venus Beacon (Tor). Not always easy to follow, but you're mostly on a ridge, so not difficult nav.

[Osik]

sorry fat canyoner, just saw this. The road was still closed so added about 5kms each way of walking but it looked like it was a really good nick, at least until fortress ridge where we turned off. Not sure about after that.

[crollsurf]

Mt Hay and then driving back and walking to Lockley is a very pleasant day out. I would just do that.

Assuming the road is not closed. There was a section of road that I thought was AWD but I had some guy up my clacker in a van last time I drove up that section!

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