Erskine Creek in the Lower Blue Mountains near Glenbrook is very picturesque, and accessible from the plateau on the pleasant and easygoing Jack Evans Track. There are cliffs lining the creek, rock platforms, boulders big and small, sandy beaches, various big swimming holes, and in spring, lots of wildflowers. And you might have it all to yourself. There are also excellent views of Erskine Creek from the Jack Evans Track, and from Pisgah Rock, which is were I climbed out to.
To make this loop I tried to follow track notes via the informal Tierney Track up to Pisgah Rock, but lost the route and ended up doing some advanced scrambling plus bush bashing. This route may be easier to follow on the way down, and the scrambling less dangerous. Nevertheless, if you are not up for this section you could allocate more time and return along the creek and back up the Jack Evans Track. Route notes at the end.
Jack Evans Track – Erskine Creek – Pisgah Rock Circuit: The Scenery
Route Notes
I walked this route clockwise, but you might consider anti-clockwise for easier navigation on the tricky section between Pisgah Rock and Erskine Creek.
From the start of the Jack Evans Track (‘S’ on my map above), I descended to Erskine Creek, passing a couple of good vantage points for views over the creek. Once at the creek walk north/upstream along the banks on varying terrain, (including rock slabs, boulders and sand), sometimes just inside the bush, crossing twice at cascades. The track on the open topo map is pretty accurate, so take your phone and follow this (I use an app). You might get wet feet on the crossings.
Climbing back out
From the junction with Lincoln Creel I took a faint foot track up the hill to the base of cliffs. This route involves significant scrambling which can’t be avoided, (so I’ve read), however from this point I failed to find the usual route through the cliffs, and ended up having to do some entry-level bouldering with more exposure than I bargained for. I down climbed two or three times after failing to get up the route I chose. You are supposed to pick up the unofficial Tierney Track, however I never did and ended up doing a lot of bush bashing and then one last tricky scramble to climb up onto Pisgah Rock.
I did find the Tierney Track from on top and realised I was maybe 50m too far south. This confusion is why it might be easier to do this route anti-clockwise. Anyway, from Pisgah Rock the Tierney Track is maybe 20m to the right / north, and descends in a cleft between rocks. After five minutes walking you’ll get to more cliffs . I didn’t go any further, satisfied that I had found the correct route, which I’ll try next time.
After a brief side trip to see a cave (probably not worth it) I walked out via the the Pisgah Rock Walking Track and took the Nepean Lookout Fire Trail back to my car. You could also park at the Pisgah Rock Track and walk from there in either direction.
A few stats
I spent ages taking photos and enjoying the lovely scenery, (not to mention time spent route finding on the way back up), so I’m not sure how long the walk should take, but a short day will be enough (4-5 hours?). If I lazily take stats from another blogger’s site, the walk is about 8km with maybe ~280m of ascent and descent.
