Weld Area Falls (Angel Falls)

Tuesday 21st July 2015

Angel Falls in the Weld Area

 There are four unnamed falls marked on the map in the Weld area and actually all are west of the Weld River itself. Today, I intended to attempt a walk to what I have called "Falls 1" (Angel Falls) and if that worked out on to "Falls 3". It did not quite turn out that way, but almost.
I parked at the start of the Reubans Falls track and set off. Now, most people would know that the bridge across Isabella Creek has been washed out for quite some time, so I scrambled around it on the right hand side and headed up the road.

End of the road

Washed out bridge

 About 1.3 kms. from the start I turned right on to a side road and walked to where it appeared to end. Along this section were some large trees that have escaped the chainsaw.

Unfortunately I obviously didn't have my eyes open properly, as I missed the start of the logging road I was looking for. I back tracked a short distance and headed into the scrub. Mistake 1. The scrub was very thick but I persevered and eventually hit the track that I had been searching for. The track was still very frosty and slippery because it consisted mainly of cut down trees. There was evidence of large trees that had been harvested.

Frosty Track

Remnants of large tree

 I continued on up the logging track until it ran out. By this stage it was all looking promising as I was only about 100 metres away from the falls. I did discover a few tapes which I followed down to the top of the falls. It was quite pretty here and I inched over to where the water goes over the edge. There appeared to be a reasonable drop, and, of course, I had to get down to the base of the falls.

Top of Angel Falls

Top of Angel Falls

Looking over the edge of Angel Falls

 Getting down to the base of the falls was not easy as it was very steep, slippery and muddy down towards the creek. I had to head for a point downstream and walk back up to below the falls. What a pleasant surprise. The falls were beautiful.  There was a good flow which generated a gentle breeze.

Angel Falls

Angel Falls

Angel Falls

Angel Falls

Angel Falls

 Afterwards I climbed back up and out along the track to the road, noting my mistake where I headed bush. Back up the road I turned right and followed a logging track for a distance before it ran out. Along here were huge stumps from timber harvesting.

This stump was huge - probably about 3 metres diameter at the base

 Now comes Mistake 2. I wanted to get over to the Mount Weld track and walk down to the creek which contained "Falls 3". Instead of walking back and following the road around, I opted to go straight across country to the track. I mean, how hard could it be. It was only about 120 metres. Well, the scrub was diabolical. It was so thick with low branches of trees going in all directions. But, being pigheaded I carried on and eventually burst out on to the track. It took me 25 minutes to travel that 120 metres!! Once on the track I walked down to the creek and checked out the access to the falls. It would have entailed a scrub bash upstream of about 400 metres which was something I thought I could do without. I will return in the future and walk upstream to the falls. From here I walked back to the car.

Marker for the start of Mount Weld track

This was a great walk and the falls were really worth the effort. I think they are worthy of a proper name. Of course it would have been so much easier without the mistakes. Never mind, it makes life interesting. The Mount Weld track was wet and muddy and had lots of cutting grass.
Distance: 8.4 kms.
Time: 4'42"
Ascent: 335 metres
Click here to download GPX file. 
Thanks to Nick Monk who provided the information on Weld Falls 1 that it was actually Angel Falls.