Erskine Creek via Pisgah Rock

Download & Print Map and Notes

Tap again to allow map panning

Time 3 hrs
Return 2.8 km Return
Climb 261 m
Grade 6 Very experienced only
Car
no_pets
This walk takes a steep climb down from Pisgah Rock to the Junction of Erskine and Lincoln Creeks. There are optional side trips to a rock platform further downstream, or to the campsite just up from the junction (you can make a weekend of the walk). This remote Creek junction is a lovely spot to relax and enjoy.

* This walk passes through very remote areas and sections have no visible track. At least one person in your group should have training and experience in off track walking and navigation. Even with these notes and a GPS these extra skills and equipment are required.

(0km) Pisgah Rock track head → Pisgah Rock Intersection

distance 760 m time 14 mins climb 21m descent -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.

(1km) Pisgah Rock Intersection → Pisgah Rock

distance 20 m time 1 mins climb 0m descent -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
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.

(1km) Pisgah Rock → Junction of Erskine and Lincoln Crks

distance 610 m time 21 mins climb 18m descent -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

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.

(1km) Junction of Erskine and Lincoln Creeks → Lower Lincoln Campsite

distance 70 m time 2 mins climb 3m descent -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. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Continue straight.

Lower Lincoln Campsite

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.

(1km) Junction of Erskine and Lincoln Creeks → Rock platform

distance 260 m time 7 mins climb 22m descent -13m Experienced only
Turn sharp left: 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. At the end of this side trip, retrace your steps back to the main walk then Turn right.

Rock Platform

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.

Maps for the Erskine Creek via Pisgah Rock 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.

Penrith1:25 000 Map Series90303N PENRITHNSW-90303N
Penrith1:100 000 Map Series9030 PENRITH9030

Cross sectional view of the Erskine Creek via Pisgah Rock bushwalking track

Terrain profile for Erskine Creek via Pisgah Rock

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Erskine Creek via Pisgah Rock

Altitude analysis for Erskine Creek via Pisgah Rock

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.

Length2.8 km
Time3 hrs
.




Grade 6/6



Very experienced only
AS 2156.1GradientVery steep and difficult scrambles (5/6)
Quality of trackFormed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
SignsNo directional signs (5/6)
Experience RequiredVery high level of bushwalking experience recommended (6/6)
WeatherStorms may impact on navigation and safety (3/6)
InfrastructureNo 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

Around 780m of this walk has gentle hills with occasional steps, whilst the remaining 610m is very steep with difficult rock scrambles.

Quality of track

760m of this walk follows a clear and well formed track or trail and another 610m follows a smooth and hardened path. The remaining (20m) follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs

Around 780m of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 610m Has no directional signs.

Experience Required

760m of this walk requires no previous bushwalking experience and another 610m requires at least one leader with a very high level of bushwalking experience. The remaining (20m) requires some bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 780m of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 610m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 780m of this walk has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced), whilst the remaining 610m has no facilities provided.

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Erskine Creek via Pisgah Rock walk.

Other Nearby walks

A list of walks that start near the Erskine Creek via Pisgah Rock walk.

Plan your trip to and from the walk here

The Erskine Creek via Pisgah Rock walk starts and ends at the Pisgah Rock track head (gps: -33.828459, 150.57170)

Weather Forecast

This walk starts in the Central Tablelands weather district.

Current Alerts

Park Information

Blue Mountains National Park

Attracting over 3 million visitors annually, Blue Mountains National Park holds some of Australia's most spectacular and diverse wilderness areas. Explore the Grose Valley, with its sheer sandstone cliffs, waterfalls and scenic walking, or enjoy the famous views of the Three Sisters. Easy access makes a day trips very worthwhile, but with such diversity it would be great to stay in one of the many B&B's and spend a few days soaking up the region.

Comments