Dargans Creek Canyon

Inactivity is not something I'm used to. It's fair to say that the simple act of sitting still has always bothered me, and if I sit long enough, the daggers of boredom are thrust deep into my soul. I can't remember ever thinking I have nothing to do.....Quite the contrary.

If I'm not away, I'm planning to go away and I love an epic trip, so occasionally I'll not factor in any extra time, leave my tent at home, choose a difficult route in average weather etc....generally trying to compress more goodness into the allocated time slot....Searching for the smile that comes within seconds of getting away with something you know you shouldn't have.

The last six months saw change sweep through, clenched in an angry fist called fate. A glancing blow at best, but one that has held Dana and I captive for longer periods than we are used to. I'm sure the bite size trips will grow back into  large chunks eventually. My fitness has suffered so I decided to find something that required very little but allowed for some photo opportunities. Dargans Creek had come up recently as a good short outing, so with pleny of batteries and an empty card, I headed up the Bells Line to Clarence.

The wander down into the creek was a little scrubby but interesting none the less. The wildflowers were out in abundance, and as usual at this time of the year, every bent stick looked like a snake. Funnily enough, I didn't see one all day which was surprising.

The constricted section of the Canyon was quite impressive but very short so I spent an hour or so fiddling around with the camera. After slipping over and smashing the camera again, I couldn't believe it still worked! It took a wave at Batemans Bay and the lens cover mechanism jammed with rust, so I removed it to keep shooting but now the wear is showing on the lens.

The exit was only a short scramble beside the small waterfall then up the spikes in a tree. Very manageable but not a place to fall.

The walk back along the ridge had some sting in the tail and it was a reminder that summer had arrived. The heat rising from the earth was matched in intensity from that above. The beauty of this canyon lies in the fact that the exit is short and I had arrived back at the car in no time. A good few hours out for those looking for something simple but rewarding.