Rennies Tunnel-Dixons Ladder Sun 8th June

Mike P was in town so we planned to go on an adventure. All the rain meant canyoning wasn't on, and as we got away to a late start (we arrived in Katoomba at 12.30) we needed a hike of about 4 hours. A quick google on my laptop from the car and I got some track notes on Rennies tunnel which I had always wanted to check out. So we parked on Cliff Road and hiked down Glenraphael Rd then the Golden Stairs and soon found the entrance about a kilometre north of the stairs.

An interesting tunnel for shale/coal cars in the 19th Century which goes right through Narrow Neck. Its only about 1.5 metres high and 4 metres across in places the roof has collapsed so its possible to stand up.

There is nothing much in there. Surprisingly no litter or grafitti. The rails have been removed and just a few of the sleepers remain. Some cute bent wing bats were huddled on the roof.
At the western end, the entrance is collapsed and only a small hole is open, just big enough to squeeze through. We had planned to hike out up Nellies Glen, but instead we hiked up the Water Board road and found a"Ladders Removed Sign". Hmmm. Onward and upward, and for once it work out.
We clambered up to the base of the old ladders which are called "Dixons Ladders" and found that someone had jury rigged a couple of saplings up to the steel ladder. Great.

Then half way up the ladders ended. Bugger. But a rope was hanging down. It was still raining and a good quantity of water was pouring down the gully so we rugged up and buttoned down the GoreTex and climbed up through the stream. Fortunately it turned out to be easy and we then quickly climbed up to the Glenraphael road and to the car.

Three hours round trip.