Mount Hay & Butterbox Point - Blue Mountains National Park

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Route: Mount Hay Trailhead, Mount Hay Walking Track, Mount Hay, Butterbox Track, Butterbox Point, Mount Hay Trailhead

Date: 12/09/2020
From: Mount Hay Road - Mount Hay Trailhead

Parking: Mount Hay Road
Start Point: Mount Hay Trailhead
Finish Point: Mount Hay Trailhead
Region: Blue Mountains

Route length: 5.0 miles (8.0km)
Time taken: 02:15
Average speed: 2.4mph
Ascent: 323m
Descent: 319m

Points of Interest: Lockley's Pylon, Du Faur Head

Having tackled Lockley's Pylon earlier in the day, it was time to head further along the Mount Hay Road to Butterbox Point. In case you missed part 1 of this outing (which you can find here), Mount Hay Road is an unsealed road that delves deep into the heart of the Blue Mountains. It's only really suitable for 2WD cars if the conditions are fine and dry as a few steeper sections would likely become very slippery in the wet.

From the Lockley's Pylon trailhead, Butterbox Point is a further 5km along Mount Hay Road. I arrived to find the small car park largely full but found a space adjacent to the road with a sweeping view of the valley. The plan was to hike to Mount Hay first before returning to Butterbox Point, saving what promised to be the best until last.

Parked up above Butterbox Canyon on the Lycon Plateau

An information sign stands at the start of the Butterbox/Mount Hay track but has been twisted and burnt by the recent fires. The hike involves a Y-shaped route, first to Mount Hay, then back to Butterbox Point. The junction of the two paths is marked by a small marker post.

Butterbox Canyon

The destroyed information board

On the Mount Hay Walking Track

Taking the right fork sets you off towards Mount Hay by first crossing a bare, sandy area covered in burnt bushes - normally a large area of bush until the recent fires. After crossing a low ridge, the full domed bulk of Mount Hay comes into view.

Mount Hay

Mount Hay swamp

Hurley Heights

The path heads along a broad ridge with expansive views to the east, over the swampy birthplace of Mount Hay Creek as far as the gleaming towers of Parramatta and Sydney on a clear day. Heading towards Mount Hay leads to the bottom of a rocky spur and the start of some more interesting, occasionally hands-on hiking.

Mount Hay and Mount Hay swamp

There was extensive fire damage on the way to Mount Hay

A first glimpse into the Grose Valley

Mount Hay

While the path can be a bit indistinct at times, route finding is relatively straightforward—head up through the rocks and avoid any places that look too steep. As you climb, the spur offers tremendous views of the Grose Valley.

The rocky approach to Mount Hay

Looking into the Grose Valley

The flank of Mount Hay

Butterbox Point and a distant Lockley's Pylon

Passing an informal lookout leads to the last section of the climb, entering the trees which dominate the summit of the hill. Unlike the surrounding sandstone, Mount Hay is capped by basalt which creates a more fertile environment for different plant species, hence the lush covering at the summit. Weaving through the trees leads to a cairn at the highest point. Sadly, there are no views to be had from the summit of Mount Hay thanks to the covering of trees.

Mount Hay

Grass and trees atop Mount Hay

Mount Hay's summit

As the age-old saying goes, what goes up, must come down and I retraced the route from Mount Hay's summit back to the marker post near the car park. It was time to venture out to Butterbox Point, which I had read was as good a lookout as any in the Blue Mountains.

New growth on the fire-damaged trees

The Grose Valley

Returning back towards the track junction

Mount Hay Track

This area would normally be covered in bushes

From the marker post, the path is fairly flat as it passes above Butterbox Swamp, the starting point for Butterbox Creek which carves an exciting, canyoneering-friendly route through the sandstone (for experienced adventurers only). The path heads towards an outcrop of rock where you get the choice of left or right. I would recommend heading left first and saving the views for the very last moment.

Butterbox swamp

The easy track towards Butterbox Point

Rounding the rock outcrop

Butterbox swamp

After passing around the rock, the view begins to open up. And what a view.

Walford Wall

The path reaches an abrupt stop at a rock but it is possible to scramble down a short distance and make your way to the very edge of the cliff. Here, you will find yourself standing overlooking an awe-inspiring sight. If Mount Hay Road was sealed and there was a fenced-off lookout, it would be extremely popular. Today it was just me.

The sensational view from Butterbox Point

Butterbox Point sits a little below the adjacent cliffs, which is a rarity for a lookout. Below is the yawning exit of Butterbox Canyon, hemmed in by the vast sandstone cliffs of Walford Wall. Straight down the valley is Docker Head, where the Grose Valley divides into two arms. The left-arm, Govetts Gorge,  leads to the popular area around Govetts Leap, while the right arm, Grose Gorge, heads towards wilder territory.

Frank Hurley Head and the Grose Gorge

Walford Wall

The very tip of Butterbox Point

The Blue Gum Forest of the Grose Valley

Frank Hurley Head and Edgeworth David Head

The Grose Valley

Butterbox Canyon

After lingering around the edge of the cliffs, I climbed back up the path. This time I followed the path around the opposite side of the large outcrop, staying with the views. It crosses a slightly exposed section above the cliffs so I'd avoid it if you're afraid of heights.

Mount Caley and the Grose Valley

Cliffs at Butterbox Point

Retracing the route back to the rock outcrop

The sketchy path above a very long drop

The path perches atop the cliff a short distance

Mount Caley

Frank Hurley Head, Edgeworth David Head with Mount Wilson behind

Mount Caley and Mount Hay

Sadly, all good things come to an end and it wasn't long before I was back on the main track heading away from the drama of the Grose Valley. A short time later, I was back at the car, which had been baking all afternoon in the hot Australian sun. If you're up for an adventurous day out then investigating Mount Hay Road should be high on your list.

Making my way back towards the car

The parking area sits atop a broad dome