Map of Walk

Location

               
Map of Hay Monolith
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Base maps are used under licence and is © Department of lands   Panorama Avenue Bathurst 2795   www.lands.nsw.gov.au

Maps that cover the walk area (please always carry maps of the area)

Print a map and track notes here

Katoomba

1:25 000 Map Series

NSW-89301S

Mount Wilson

1:25 000 Map Series

NSW-89301N

Katoomba

1:100 000 Map Series

8930

Photo Gallery

Terrain

Cross sectional view of the Hay Monolith bushwalking track

Analysis and summary of the altitude variation on the Hay Monolith bushwalking track

Overview of this walks Grading - Based on the AS 2156.1 - 2001
These details are new. This new feature still requires more testing and refining. Please use the 'Walker Feedback' for report specific issues. Please e-mail Matt if you have any general comments. Hope you find it helpful.

Under this standard, a walk is graded based on the most difficult section of the walk.

		Length	2km
		Time	1 Hr
		.
Grade 3/6 Track: Moderate	AS 2156.1	Gradient	Short steep hills (3/6)
		Quality of track	Formed track, with some branches and other obstacles (3/6)
		Signs	Directional signs along the way (3/6)
		Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
		Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)
		Infrastructure	Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)

*This summary of grading information is new and still in testing

Some more detail of this walks Grading
Here is a bit more details explaining the grading looking at sections of the walk.
Gradient
This whole walk, 2km has short steep hills.

Quality of track
This whole walk, 2km follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles.

Signs
This whole walk, 2km has directional signs at most intersection.

Experience Required
This whole walk, 2km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

Weather
This whole walk, 2km is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation).

Infrastructure
This whole walk, 2km has limited facilities (such as not all cliffs fenced).

Track Notes

Wildwalks
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Drive to Mt Hay car park
There is free parking available. You can drive or ride to the start of this walk Use these links to plan your trip to the start of this walk. Plan your trip from --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

(0 km) Mt Hay car park to Rock Flat Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 606 m	Time = 12 mins
	Climb = 26 m	Descent = -19 m
From the car park, this walk heads past the gap in the train track-style fencing, passing a sign for 'Butterbox Canyon'. The track traverses the saddle to rise up onto a flat area, continuing for approximately 20m to an intersection with a track to the left. Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads approximately 20m up the hill, keeping the rocky knoll to the left of the track, soon coming to the intersection. Veer left: From the intersection, this walk heads up the hill, with Mt Hay to the right of the track. The track follows the ridgeline, undulating slightly for approximately 200m, then drops down to a rocky surface at the intersection.

(0.61 km) Rock Flat to Int. Valley Trk and Hay Wall Trk Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 103 m	Time = 2 mins
	Climb = 3 m	Descent = -5 m
Turn left: From the intersection, this walk heads along the hillside, keeping the hill on the left-hand side of the track and the main valley on the right. The track leaves the hillside, leading out through the low heath for approximately 50m, coming to an unsigned intersection.

(0.71 km) Int. Valley Trk and Hay Wall Trk to Int. Hay Wall Trk and Hay Monolith summit Trk Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 235 m	Time = 5 mins
	Climb = 9 m	Descent = -18 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads down hill towards a small castle of rock, Mt Hay Monolith. The walk keeps the main valley to the right of the track. The track soon heads down some rocky surfaces to continue into a saddle. The walk heads across the saddle to a small, spherical cave (to the left of the track). Veer right: From the spherical cave, this walk keeps the rock to the left of the track, heading towards the valley. The track leads around the base of the cliffs for approximately 80m before coming to a grassy pass into the cliff (on the left).

(0.94 km) Int. Hay Wall Trk and Hay Monolith summit Trk to Hay Monolith summit Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 82 m	Time = 3 mins
	Climb = 16 m	Descent = -2 m
Turn left : From the intersection, this walk heads up through the grassy pass in the rock, away from the valley. The track leads across the plateau through the low heath, passing a track (on the right) after approximately 50m. The walk soon comes to a flat rock with two bolts in it, where there are stunning views over the Grose Valley. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn left to continue along this walk.)

(0.94 km) Int. Hay Wall Trk and Hay Monolith summit Trk to Hay Monolith West Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 149 m	Time = 5 mins
	Climb = 14 m	Descent = -25 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads around the cliffs (keeping them on the left of the track, and the Grose Valley to the right). After approximately 50m, the walk passes another track (on the left, heading up the monolith). This walk continues around the base of the cliffs and above the valley for approximately 100m, to the intersection in front of a fin-shaped rock.

(1.09 km) Hay Monolith West to Hay Wall Lookout Optional sidetrip: Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 247 m	Time = 8 mins
	Climb = 7 m	Descent = -64 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads down the hill, leaving the Hay Monolith behind and nearing the rim of the valley (on the right). The track passes a large, grey, rounded rock formation on the right, heading in the direction of the cliff edge, to a rocky point on the right of two banksia bushes, with stunning views of the valley. (Retrace your steps back to the main track, then turn right to continue along this walk.)

(1.09 km) Hay Monolith West to Int. Valley Trk and Hay Wall Trk Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 309 m	Time = 7 mins
	Climb = 29 m	Descent = -10 m
Continue straight: From the intersection, this walk heads down over some rocky surfaces (with the cliffs to the left and valley behind). The track continues below the cliffs, passing a few small caves on the left. After a short time, this walk rounds the hillside to a spherical cave on the left of the intersection, and a saddle to the right. Turn right: From the spherical cave, this walk traverses a grassy saddle, keeping the valley to the left of the track. The track climbs up some rocky surfaces, then heads east up the spur line, coming to the intersection in the low heath.

(1.4 km) Int. Valley Trk and Hay Wall Trk to Mt Hay car park Track: Moderate - bushtrack	Length = 593 m	Time = 13 mins
	Climb = 21 m	Descent = -26 m
Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the Grose Valley and along the hillside, keeping the ridge above and to the left of the track. The track passes many rocky outcrops (with the valley below to the right) as the walk comes to an intersection just above a saddle (on the right). Veer right: From the intersection, this walk heads away from the rocky outcrops on the hill to traverse the saddle and rise up to the car park.

Drive from Mt Hay car park
There is free parking available. You can drive or ride from the end of this walk Use these links to plan your trip from the end of this walk. Plan your trip to --> Castle Hill|Chatswood|Dural|Epping|Gosford|Hornsby|Katoomba|Manly|Parramatta|Penrith|Strathfield|Sutherland|Sydney|

Getting there

Plan your trip to the start of the walk and back from the end of the walk

Public Transport links currently not working, sorry

Driving Directions
	To the start of the walk                  Castle HillChatswoodDuralEppingGosfordHornsbyKatoombaManlyParramattaPenrithStrathfieldSutherlandSydney Drive from:		From the end of the walk                  Castle HillChatswoodDuralEppingGosfordHornsbyKatoombaManlyParramattaPenrithStrathfieldSutherlandSydney Drive to:

Near by

Campsites in the park
Acacia Flat
Burralow Creek camping ground
Coxs River Camping Area
Euroka campground - Appletree Flat campervan and camper trailer area
Euroka campground
Ingar campground
Mount Werong campground
Murphys Glen campground
Perrys Lookdown campground
Euroka Campground - Darug
Euroka Campground - Red Gum
Euroka Campground - Nioka
Euroka Campground - Bennetts Ridge


Nearest know Outdoor Stores near the start of this walk

Store	Address	Phone	Distance (straight line)
Summit Gear	80- Bathurst Rd , Katoomba	(02) 4782 3018	12.4 km
Paddy Pallin	166 Katoomba St , Katoomba	(02) 4782 4466	12.8 km
Summit Gear	11 Ross St , Glenbrook	(02) 4739 4373	25.4 km
Richmond Camping Supplies	340 Windsor St , Richmond	(02) 4578 3004	32.3 km
Simdra Pet & Hobby Mart	45 Main St , Lithgow	(02) 6352 4422	27.9 km

A list of the nearest UHF CB repeaters I found to Hay Monolith.

Channel	Call sign (more info)	Site	Distance and dir from Hay Monolith Click to re-center search
2	KUR02	Miles Comms Site 1 1 246 Burralow Road KURRAJONG HEIGHTS	22 km (to the ENE)
4	RIV04	Fire Service Rusden Road MT RIVERVIEW	24 km (to the ESE)
6	LGW06	Lithgow Council Site HASSANS WALLS	28 km (to the WNW)
5	BIN05	Fire Tower MT BINDO Emergency use only	37 km (to the W)
7	VMC7	Fire Tower MT BINDO	37 km (to the W)

Weather and Park info

Fire Danger
This walk passes Greater Sydney Region fire area which currently has a NONE rating and No Ban in place. (Downloaded 45 minutes ago)
Please Note: Each park may have its own fire ban status, this rating is based on information from the RFS and BOM.

Weather and Climate
Weather and Climate summary detailed weather and climate information here

Rain. 4.1°C (feels like 1.4°) 7 km/h from the SE (gusting 11) 97% humidity     (as at 23/12:04am)

Blue Mountains National Park Link to official closures and fire bans page
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.
Region: Sydney & Surrounds
Park fees Camping Facilities
Current Park Closure information for Blue Mountains National Park
Closure information last downloaded Thursday 23rd of May 2013 12:00 AM
CLOSED AREAS
Attention: helicopter operation affecting Katoomba walking tracks
The helicopter operation planned for Wednesday 22 May has been postponed to a later date (to be advised, possibly at short notice)
The following walking tracks in the Katoomba area will be closed during helicopter lifting in the new replacement for Honeymoon Bridge:-

• Federal Pass (from Katoomba Falls [Cook’s Crossing] to intersection with Dardanelles Pass below Leura.
• Federal Pass from Golden Stairs intersection, below Narrow Neck, to the Scenic Railway bottom station.
• Giant Stairs
• Dardanelles

There will be no access to the top of the Three Sisters, beyond the Prince Henry Cliff Walk junction.
Glenraphael Drive at Narrow Neck will also be closed at the national park boundary – 1.5km from Cliff Drive. There will be no access to Narrow Neck for vehicles or pedestrians.
Access to and from Scenic World will be open via Furber Steps. For further information please call 02 4787 8877.
Locations affected:Dardenelles Pass loop walking track, Federal Pass
Breakfast Point Lookout closed - Breakfast Point Lookout
Breakfast Point Lookout at Wentworth Falls is closed until further notice.
Campsites at Euroka - Euroka campground
Darug campsite now closed until further notice for maintenance and upgrade. Camping is available at other sites at Euroka Campground. For bookings you can book online or call 1300 072 757. For group bookings over 6 and to speak to the local Area office please call 02 4588 2400 Monday to Friday.
Claustral Canyon access change
Access to Claustral Canyon via the usual route across private land at Mount Tomah is no longer possible due to landholders denying access. NPWS has sought alternative access through private land without success.  Canyoners should respect the rights of Mount Tomah residents and avoid using private land.
Alternative access and parking from the west side of Mt Bell has been approved. For details please contact the NPWS Heritage Centre, phone 02 4787 8877; open seven days 9.00 am to 4.30 pm.
Glenbrook precinct has re-opened
Access to Jellybean Pool via the road and the walking track is now open. Euroka walking track remains closed as does Ironbarks Firetrail and Portal Waterhole precinct.
Honeymoon Bridge, Three Sisters, Katoomba - works occurring from Monday 29 April till early June
NPWS will be starting work to replace the Honeymoon bridge at the Three Sisters on Monday 29 April. Work should be completed by early June.
There will be no access to the bridge during this time.
All walking tracks and other lookouts in the area, including the Giant Stairway, will remain open.  Short term closures for helicopter operations during the work will be advised.
NPWS Heritage Centre is open 7 days a week; for information call 02 4787 8877.
   
Ingar camping areas - Ingar campground
Vehicle access along Ingar Road may be closed at the end of Queen Elizabeth Drive while private property development works are underway. NPWS requests that visitors respect private property closures.
When the gate is closed Ingar Camping Area will remain open to walkers who access around the private property. Walking distance approximately 13kms.
Murphys Glen camping area closed - Murphys Glen campground
Murphys Glen is closed due to road damage and facilities maintenance.
Wentworth Falls walking tracks
The Undercliff and Overcliff tracks are closed between Princes Rock access and Lyrebird Lookout due to recent landslides. This means visitors doing the National or Wentworth Pass loops will need to return via the Shortcut Track.
The Den Fenella walking track will be closed 7 days per week during upgrade work which commenced 31 January 2013. The Den Fenella lookout remains closed due to structural damage on the bridge. 
All enquiries to the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.
Locations affected:Overcliff-Undercliff track, Den Fenella walking track
HAZARD REDUCTION BURNS
Hazard reduction burn
Wild Dog Mountains - CLOSED
All walking routes in the Wild Dog Mountains will remain closed until further notice while hazard reduction burning operations are current. The W7 or Cedarland Ridge Rd from Green Gully to Medlow Gap section was re-opened on Monday 13 May 2013.
Anyone intending to walk in Wild Dogs during May should check the national parks website prior to setting off for any updates regarding affected areas. View a map of the hazard reduction burn planned for the Wild Dogs area (PDF 259KB).
Hazard reduction burn
A hazard reduction burn has been completed along the Gingra Range and spur ridges leading off this range. The area is bounded by Cottage Rock; Arabanoo Creek; Gingra Creek and the Kowmung River. Access to this area is closed until further notice whilst there is a risk of limb or tree fall after the burn.’
All enquiries to NPWS Oberon office on 02 6336 1972 or the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877.

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