Popeye Canyon

This trip it was just me, Luke and Tiana, keen to explore a new canyon in mid July.

If reading the track notes from Rick Jamiesons Canyons near Sydney guide, Popeye canyon is the lower reaches of the creek before it joins with Bungleboori Creek. However, we were keen to explore the creek from the top so we could visit Popeye Falls along the way.

You know its going to be a good day when the entry to the canyon has some mushies growing on a moss covered rock.

I was surprised at how beautiful the creek was so early on.

My husband in a canyon has got to be one of my favourite things in this world.

Look how clear this water is! I can’t get over how pristine the nature is inside Blue Mountains canyons.

Beautiful overhangs and pristine mountain water.

We then spotted the magical Popeye Falls, a unique waterfall that flows through a naturally formed archway.

I had seen very old photos of Popeye falls many years back, but at that time no one knew its location. It was re-discovered and respectfully documented by Yuri Bolotin with his hiking group Bush Explorers and in his book 4 of The Gardens of Stone National Park and Beyond. Yuri’s books are all about conserving and protecting the national park, whilst sharing why it should be protected and detailing the significant history of the area.

Unfortunately, the location was later made viral by the nature destroying WalkmyWorld blog. It is sad to see there is now facebook groups and all trails track coordinates to the once pristine and protected waterfall for monetary gain and influencer following. Hopefully its isolated location will keep it protected for as long as possible.

Beautiful Tiana at Popeye Falls.

It is truly a mesmerising part of nature.

There were many beautiful canyon formations along the way! We weren’t expecting this part of the creek to be quite so beautiful.

We reached the end of the upper section of Popeye Canyon and the creek turned into a dry boulder field. We saw an easy exit ramp out of the creek and opted for an easier day and headed back to the cars. If we continued down to the lower section of Popeye Creek and up the exit track for HITW it would have made it a much longer day. Sometimes easier is best, you don’t need to always suffer for canyons.