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The elusive Smoko Falls.
It took three visits to this area before we learned that Smoko Falls
were in fact the Falls in the picture on the right. A small
version of Meander Falls. The Falls themselves are an hour and a
half from the start of the track. The track follows the crystal
clear waters of Mother Cummings Rivulet (marked as Smoko Creek on early
maps) passing through a pristine rain forest
environment. Mother Cummings Rivulet is a series of tumbling cascades and
small waterfalls. It also crosses a boulder field providing
spectacular views below Mother Cummings Peak and the Tiers to the South
East. The track continues on to Mother Cummings Peak summit. At the
Falls another track continues on to the plateau behind Mother Cummings
Peak and beyond to Westrope Road.
One would be forgiven on
several occasions to have thought that they had reached Smoko Falls.
However, after our third attempt of following the track right through,
the discovery of Smoko Falls was evident.
The falls are not
signposted and we needed to talk to a seasoned walker to verify these
are in fact the Falls. To add to the confusion, there are two
tracks to the falls from the car park on Smoko Road. The signs at
the car park direct walkers across the river to all walks. There
is no bridge and at high water levels the river is not passable.
However, there is a partially concealed track on the right hand
side of the car park. This track does not involve a river
crossing. The Falls would no doubt be spectacular in flood.
There is now a new footbridge over Mother Cummings Rivulet at the start
of the walk to Chasm Falls (2020)
Smoko Road continues over
the bridgeless creek for another 2 kilometres or so. This
was no doubt the original car park for the walks. The other walk
being to Chasm Falls - Zig Zag Rock. The Smoko Falls track from here
re-crosses Mother Cummings Creek. Be warned, the crossing on the return trip
is not marked. To add to the confusion there is another marked
crossing about 200 metres further upstream. We are unaware where
this track leads.
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