1. THE FEDERAL PASS

This is a major track in the Jamison that offers a range of scenery, including waterfalls, rainforest, cliff views and some glimpses of the Three Sisters here and there. It can be joined from the Leura Falls Lookout, the Jamison Lookout or the Giant Stairway.

From the Leura falls Lookout, the track branches off the cliff track and goes down the slope, passing through some forested sections with tree ferns before joining the track from Jamison Lookout. The tracks in these areas are generally well sign-posted. From the junction, the track goes downhill and passes Lila falls by means of a steel staircase and then turns east and crosses Leura Falls Creek on a footbridge. The track crosses and recrosses the creek and then passes through pleasant, shady forest and comes to the junction with the Dardanelles Pass which provides a short way for anyone to go straight up the Giant Stairway and on to Echo Point. There is a large clear area here which would be suitable for camping.

The Federal Pass begins to go downhill until it reaches a dip and then climbs uphill and gradually bears around the base of the Three Sisters until it reunites with the Dardanelles Pass down which most people coming from the Giant Stairway would have proceeded.

The federal Pass continues through a mixture of eucalypts and ferns until reaching the shady gully of Kedumba River. The river is crossed by a footbridge from which you can view Katoomba Falls. A further walk of about 15 minutes will take you to the foot of the Scenic Railway which provides a short cut up to Katoomba without a steep walk.

Continuing west, you pass some old, abandoned shale mines and pass around Malaita Point. You reach the old landslide that occurred in 1931. Crossing the landslide is not hard to follow (there are white arrows on the rocks) but the passage is more difficult than experienced to this point. After passing the landslide you move into timbered country again and after about twenty or thirty minutes and a few creek crossings you come to the Golden Stairs. These will take you to the top in about thirty minutes but there is a steel ladder at one stage and a degree of fitness is needed.

At the top you are on the Narrow Neck road and from there it would be a good hour or so walk back to Katoomba.

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