Middle Ridge Trail Barrington - closed...why?

What sort of track was it, hard? easy?

does the liability thing seem like it COULD be valid? Dont worry I dont believe it either.

Black Stump.
This may help.

Barrington Tops National Park
Middle Ridge trail is closed.

Visitors are asked to avoid walking through the Watergauge Trail due to a phytophthora outbreak. Phytophthora cinnamomi is a water mould that thrives in warm moist soils. It attacks the roots of plants causing them to rot so they are unable to absorb enough water and nutrients. The disease causes the dieback of affected trees and plants. The cooperation and support of park visitors is needed to contain the disease, which can have a devastating affect on susceptible plants. Staff will conduct further sampling to determine the extent of the disease.

Visitors should avoid the Watergauge Trail area on the plateau, and use alternative walking routes to Junction Pools and the Big Hole.

Regards

Public liability is a Big Issue or for private property owners. Don't know the issue in the Barringtons but in Yengo NP(North of Sydney) the Old Settlers Rd is closed at the private property. The National park section in the middle is open, though you cannot get to it. Council will not maintain the trail going thru the private property sections and so the local rural land owners have padlocked the gates to stop the damage to the trails going thru their property. Council refuse to maintain it and it is a public road - talk to Singleton Shire Council if you have an issue with this.

I am planning a trip to Barrington over Easter and spoke both with the Ranger and the 4WDNSW representative last week.

The issue is true - NPWS have two problems - the main one is where the track goes into private land, the owners, not NPWS, have locked the gate and will not allow anyone, not even NPWS up there, as they consider they are not covered for public liability. In addition they are also sick of having to rescue ill-equipped or ill prepared people, who get stuck.

The other issue is an NPWS problem - a large tree requiring a bulldozer to move it has apprently fallen onto the track. When I, as trip leader for a 4WD Club offered to see what we could do with chainsaws and a few trucks, I was told the tree is too large to move, they will get it when the Service dozer is back in the area.

The Ranger did tell me that they are having negotiations with the private landowners, but things are not getting very far. As I understand it, the Association is also having input into the situation.

Sorry folks, but it looks like another track is closed, at least for the moment

Thanks to everyone for the good info.

I will try and make the effort to check with Singleton Shire council the status of Middle Ridge trail ie. is it a private or public access route across the private property.

It's interesting about the tree across the trail - I last tried to travel the trail about 1 year ago only to find a very big tree across the track in the NP section. I get the feeling it's the same tree still lying there!

Black Stump.