Byangee Mountain and Pickering Point

Getting there

Exact same carpark you start The Castle walk from - Long Gully campsite.

Route/Trail notes

Go to the southern end of the carpark (the opposite side to where The Castle track starts) and you will find a dirt road leading to a river crossing. Unless there has been a lot of rain you should be able to cross without getting your shoes wet. The dirt 4wd track will gradually steepen as you ascend to the base of the Castle. Once at the base the track swings to the right and you will follow the cliffs along heading towards the Castle/Byangee saddle. This track is relatively well marked with a optional minor detour up to some caves. The track has a couple of Y intersections and both times the lower track is the better option. At the saddle you head towards the northern (left in the direction of travel) side of Byangee and follow the track that cuts around the base. Eventually you will notice the track veers up the cliff to the right - marked with some piles of rocks - and this is where the fun part begins.

The scrambling section isn't too long but gets progressively steeper until you reach the roped section. This section involves scrambling up into a tight gap between a rock wall and a boulder with a log jammed against it. There is a fixed rope here to assist you. Easiest way to traverse this section is using the log as a step to climb up the boulder with the rope providing a bit of security. Though the track continues on quite steeply that is definitely the most challenging part. The track will ease up and turn into a walking trail again. The last real obstacle is a chimney section which involves pressing your back against the rock and climbing up through a small hole. Once you have passed this it is just a short walk to the summit cairn. Pickering point is at the opposite end of the plateau and has some nice unobstructed views of Pigeonhouse. The track to get there gets fainter as you go along and invariably you will end up cutting your own way through the knee high shrubs.

Permits/Costs

Nil cost

Other References

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/australia/new-south-wales/pickering-point-and-byangee-mountain

GPS Tracks

No GPS available for this walk yet.

Comments

Did this with Vonsnrub. Phenomenal views at the summit and a great hike in general. A mixture of efficient fire roads to gain elevation, caves and expansive views along the way. I'm an average hiker and the scrambling is getting towards the upper end of what I'm comfortable with. I'd recommend only very experience scramblers to attempt this or going in a party with an experienced scrambler.

The views at the summit are worth it but I don't think the 90 min round trip bush bash to Pickering Point is. The views decrease as shrubs obstruct your views and in some parts you're going through thigh high shrubs (watch out for snakes.)
BabyElephant on 25 Oct, 2024

Really really enjoyed this walk!! Overall I would say in terms of physical exertion it is definitely easier than the Castle - which should go without saying being that you are gaining less elevation. The scrambling section is moderately challenging but I would say no more than the track up the Castle. And I would say it has a lot less exposure than the Castle does, and is less challenging navigationally, so in just about every metric it is the easier of the two. The walk out to Pickering Point was okay, but the best views are near the summit. You woudn't be missing too much if you got to that point and just turned around. At the time of posting this hike the rope was in decent condition and securely fastened to a few trees. In saying that if it was removed I wouldn't say the route would be alot more difficult...unlike the mountains on the Cook Islands where if the rope is removed you're screwed. My new fave track in the Budawangs - it may not be as high as its neighbors but that works in its favor because you get some awesome views of the Castle and Pigeonhouse. Would definitely do it again!
Vonsnrub on 21 Oct, 2024