Pantoneys Crown 3-4 Day Hike
The 3 day Pantoneys Crown and Point Cameron circuit is by far the most challenging – and most rewarding – of all the guided hikes in MountainSphere Adventures’ regular programme.
About the Pantoneys Crown Trip
Pantoneys Crown is an isolated plateau in the heart of the Gardens of Stone National Park. It is a dominant landscape feature within the Capertee Valley, a wide walled valley on the western side of the Blue Mountains north of Lithgow. Due to its isolated aspect, Pantoneys Crown appears as a prominent sandstone outcrop, seemingly rimmed on all sides by impassable cliff line.
There is no easy route up or down Pantoneys Crown. However, with very steep clambering and rock scrambling it is possible to ascend the southern end and descend the northern end of this 1.3km long plateau. This makes it possible, though challenging, to complete a hike that ascends the southern end, traverses the summit plateau and descends the northern end in a single through trip. When you add to this the extremely steep and spectacular ascent of Point Cameron on the escarpment of the Capertee Valley, you have an unbeatable 3-4 day hiking adventure.
On MountainSphere’s guided Pantoneys Crown and Point Cameron hike we approach the area via Ben Bullen State Forest to the south, where you can drive on very rough trails to the crest of the Great Dividing Range at the very edge of both the Wolgan and the Capertee Valleys. From here we start the hike, passing through Baal Bone Gap, then following the escarpment of the Capertee Valley to Baal Bone Point, then descending steeply to a broad saddle before tackling the climb of Pantoneys Crown proper. We climb the Crown from the south side and then camp on the summit plateau with spectacular views. On the second day we traverse the summit plateau, descend the northern end of the Crown, then cross Crown Creek. A long climb and more extremely steep scrambling brings us to Point Cameron where we camp the second night. On the final day a spectacular traverse of the Wolgan-Capertee Divide brings us to McLean’s Pass from where we can hike back to the cars, possibly with a side trip to Cape Horn for more spectacular views into the Wolgan Valley.
It is by any measure a difficult hike, with several very steep and challenging ascents and descents to be made. In some places rope and belaying may be used to ensure you are safely protected on the most exposed sections. Serious clambering up steep passes is required, although the grade of the climbing is below what would be classified as true rock climbing.
Another major challenge is the need to carry most of our water with us, as at each campsite there is no water nearby. The only guaranteed water filling point is in Crown Creek on the middle day, and so large parts of the route need to be hiked whilst carrying up to 4 litres of water.
The reward is the privilege of hiking a little known route, and some of the most scenic and spectacular hiking anywhere in Australia. A trip to Pantoneys Crown and Point Cameron is a rare and unforgettable experience, one of the best trips anywhere.
Day By Day Itinerary
Today we depart Sydney, usually meeting at Richmond station at about 07:30. From there it is a drive of about 3 hours to the start point for the hike, the last 10km or so being rough 4WD trail. We park in the Wolgan State Forest at the junction of two fire trails.
We begin hiking at about 11am, the first 3km is along a fire trail which descends very steeply. We may be able to collect water along here, this will be the last water for at least a day of arduous walking. We'll need to leave here with 5 litres of water each! We reach Baal Bone Gap and then climb through dense scrub onto a high ridge with spectacular views over the Capertee Valley. There are several spectacular viewpoints along this ridge as we make our way towards Baal Bone Point.
After some scrubby walking with intermittent open views we finally reach Baal Bone Point, the spectacular terminus of the plateau that we have been hiking on. There are some small places to camp and nearby there are spectacular viewpoints to admire the sunset. There is no water here.
Today is a very short day but includes some extremely challenging and steep terrain.
We descend steeply off Baal Bone Point, rope may be needed to pass packs. We then descend through dense scrub to a broad saddle. We continue through the scrub and then begin the very steep ascent of Pantoneys Crown. It is extremely steep walking, eventually we reach the base of seemingly impenetrable cliff. But a way is possible with some rock scrambling. A top rope belay will be setup for your protection. After an exhilarating rock scramble we reach the summit plateau. We should arrive by midday. This allows plenty of time to explore the unique environment of the summit plateau and enjoy the views. We may go in search of water, but finding it is not guaranteed. We camp on the plateau and enjoy a stunning sunset.
It is possible to combine Days 1 and 2 into a single day but that would require driving up from Sydney the previous day, so not much to be gained by compressing these 2 days into 1.
Don't be deceived by today's modest distance, today is an extremely difficult day.
After enjoying the spectacular sunrise from our high camp we pack up and walk to the northern end of Pantoneys Crown. On our way we reach the summit cairn and there may be an old logbook there.
We then reach the northern end of the Crown and find the route down. It is very steep, and starts with a careful downclimb through the cliffs. We will most likely lower packs on a rope. This is followed by an extremely steep descent where great care must be taken.
When the descent levels out we must navigate carefully through dense scrub to Crown Creek. Most likely we will have lunch and refill water bottles at Crown Creek.
We then have an extremely strenuous climb of Point Cameron, carrying all our water bottles full once more. It gets steeper and steeper until the final extremely steep climb up a loose but exhilarating climb to the top of Point Cameron. Extreme care is required here and rope may be used for safety on the steepest sections.
We camp somewhere past the top of Point Cameron and from there we enjoy simply stunning views back to Pantoneys Crown and the surrounding majesty of the Capertee Valley. This is our last night camped out on the hike.
The sunrise from Point Cameron has to be seen to be believed, it will bathe Pantoneys Crown in morning light and from your viewpoint near your tent your camera will be clicking.
Today is a shorter day but still very spectacular and varied. From Point Cameron we climb pagodas and walk along the escarpment to McLean Pass which is on the Great Dividing Range. The route there has some very interesting features such as prominent lookout points, and a steep defile that needs to be climbed into and out of. Once on the Great Dividing Range the hiking is gentler but through dense scrub until we reach a fire trail leading out to Cape Horn, a prominent lookout over the Wolgan Valley. We may make the short side trip out to Cape Horn for lunch, or we might walk straight back to the cars, depending on time and how much water we have left.
Once back at the cars we drive out along the rough roads in Ben Bullen State Forest, and then return home.
Elevation Profile
What You Need to Bring
Being a self-supported bushwalk, the idea is that everyone brings their own gear and food. Click the button below to review the gear list for this trip.
If you don’t have some of the items listed, don’t worry, many of the items can be borrowed or rented for a small fee.
Level of Difficulty
Still Unsure?
Don’t hesitate to write to me if you are unsure if the trip is suitable for you.
Overall, It's HARD!
The Pantoneys Crown trip is the hardest of all the guided hikes offered in the MountainSphere repertoire. It is also the remotest and farthest to walk to get out in an emergency. The daily distances walked may appear modest but significant time and effort is required to cover those distances due to the steep terrain and dense scrub.
Dense Scrub with no Path or Trail
Since the black summer bushfires of 2019-2020, the bush has become thick and dense in many places, and in some areas it is very hard going through dense scrub with no path or trail.
Extremely Steep Ascents and Descents
There are at least 4 places on the hike that involve either very steep descents or very steep ascents.
The ascent of Pantoneys Crown is very steep with a section of almost rock climbing where rope and belay are required.
For the descent off Pantoneys Crown, rope may also be required for pack passing and the descent is extremely steep.
The ascent of Point Cameron is wickedly steep and terribly overgrown, this is extremely tough and great care must be taken.
Daily Distances are Deceptive
On days 2 and 3 the distances covered each day are only around 10km. However due to the complex off-trail nature of the hiking, this can take a lot longer than the modest distances may suggest.
There is plenty of time for rests and photo stops, so that you will have ample opportunity to enjoy the spectacular scenery.
Water Must be Carried
Much of the route has no reliable walking and we may need to carry up to 5 litres of water over difficult terrain. Once we leave Baal Bone Gap we may not encounter a reliable water source until we reach Crown Creek 2 days later.
Eligibility Criteria
Due to the challenging nature of this trip, its remoteness, and the steep climbing passes, this trip is open only to clients who have completed at least two previous MountainSphere trips, with at least one of those previous trips being either the Red Rocks, the K2K or the 3 day navigation weekend. It is not open to those who have only completed the 2 day navigation weekend.
This is to ensure that the trip is a success, is safe, and within the capability of all participants.
Price for Pantoneys Crown Hike
The size of the group is capped at 6 clients.
